Progressive trailblazers Enslaved have officially announced their forthcoming studio album, Mið, set for release on October 30 via Nuclear Blast Records. Throughout their 35 year journey, across 17 albums, the Norwegian vanguard have continually redefined the boundaries of progressive black metal, weaving Old Norse histories and sacred traditions into complex modern soundscapes. With their latest offering, Enslaved turn their gaze toward the fundamental concept of the axis: the middle, the origin, and the infinite reach of the present moment.
Alongside this news, the band have unveiled the transcendant new single ‘Solar Will‘, both a paean to a divine spark, and a testament to the album title’s fundamental concept: a centre whose reach is infinite. It’s accompanying video was created by Kolibri Media, long term partners of Enslaved based in Bergen.
Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson stated:
“There have been sun cults as long as Magic Man has been around (at least). The Sun is a nurturing and terrifying parent that can grant as well as obliterate life totally. Such a classic and awe-inspiring object of our worship and myths requires classic and awesome riffs, Bonham-esque drum grooves and blistering melodic flares celebrating its horrific glory. This is what that sounds like to me: “Solar Will”!”
Voicalist / bassist Grutle Kjellson adds:
“Solar Will explores archetypal conflicts, those that manifest in nature, the cosmos, mythology, and, above all, within the human mind. In this instance, the central struggle is expressed through one of the enduring rivalries found in Norse mythology, embodied by two important, though often somewhat overlooked, figures within the pantheon. Readers familiar with the Norse mythological tradition will likely recognize the identities rather instantly, yet I shall refrain from naming them, allowing each reader the opportunity to engage with and decipher the lyrics on their own. After all, perhaps this is one of the essential functions of lyric writing: to invite interpretation and cultivate a sense of wonder? The conclusion, or more precisely, the absence of one, suggests that, for human beings, chaos and dreams are at least as significant as the realities we perceive through our senses. Ultimately, the work advocates not for resolution, but for the acceptance, assimilation, and shaping of these often contradictory forces.”
Mið – Tracklisting
1. Non-Being 2. I Am Ice (featuring Johan Sara Jr) 3. Solar Will 4. Mountain 5. Spirit Helper (featuring Kevin Kicking Woman) 6. Parting 7. Tales of Trees 8. I Miðju
Never faltering, Norway’s iconic Enslaved continue to exist as one of the most original and dependable components in our scene’s indestructible backbone. Possessing the reputation as one of the most riveting live acts around, they never fail to offer us talent of the highest calibre, always doing justice to their signature black/progressive sound. Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, releasing their first demo Yggdrasill in the summer of 1992, their legendary mini-album Hordanes Land coming out in 1993, and with their debut full-length Vikingligr Veldi arriving in the spring of 1994.
It’s a rare and remarkable feat that 35 years and now 17 albums in, Enslaved’s horizons still continue to expand. Every stage of the Bergen band’s evolution, every new phase entered, has felt like an organic act of discovery and renewal. Their journey has been at once a commitment to a promise that found its embryonic form in the Norwegian black metal scene they emerged from, and a willingness to challenge both orthodoxy and themselves from the off to make that potential manifest.
Enslaved’s new album, Mið, an Old Norse word for ‘centre’, or ‘middle’, marks another departure, and another new beginning. The band have always dealt in states of transition, nor least on the thematically linked, mythology-steeped rites of passage that were 2020’s Utgard and 2023’s Heimdal. What lay beyond, however, was… unexpected.
Mið is an album that sheds light on harmonies and dialogues embedded all around us: between the ways of the past, and how they can bring enlightenment to the present, between small kernels of truth and their ability to project onto the most universal on canvases, and between band members relying on instinct and each other to create a record that galvanises on every possible level.
The music industry has changed dramatically since the mid-20th century. Back then, vinyl records, radio play, and record stores were king. Now, it’s all about streaming services like Spotify, viral trends on TikTok, and constant online engagement.
This massive shift means the path to stardom looks completely different. What worked for iconic artists decades ago might fall totally flat in today’s fast-paced, digitally driven market.
This doesn’t take away from their genius or influence, but it’s a reality check on how the modern music machine operates. Here’s a look at 12 legendary figures from the past and why their unique styles might prevent them from achieving mainstream success if they were starting out right now.
1. Bob Dylan
Emerging from the 60s folk scene, Dylan became a voice of a generation with acoustic, politically charged anthems. His genius lies in complex, philosophical lyrics and lengthy narratives. Why he might flop today: Today’s mainstream craves shorter, easily digestible songs for TikTok and streaming playlists, not lengthy, dense folk ballads.
His famously raw, sometimes mumbled vocal style clashes with the polished, often Auto-Tuned sound dominating pop and hip-hop. While his lyrical depth is timeless, the fast-scrolling, visual nature of modern music discovery might bury his message. His historical resistance to playing the mainstream game would clash hard with today’s need for constant social media presence and branding.
2. Frank Zappa
A true original, Zappa blended classical, R&B, doo-wop, and rock into complex, often satirical compositions. Albums like Freak Out! mixed rock structures with wild sound experiments. Why he might flop today: Zappa’s deliberately difficult, genre-mashing music would struggle to find a place on mainstream playlists demanding clear categories. His intricate arrangements and unconventional song structures are the opposite of today’s often formulaic pop hits.
Furthermore, his iconoclastic, often controversial lyrics criticizing society might get him canceled or simply ignored in the polarized social media landscape, failing to gain the traction needed for widespread appeal.
3. Captain Beefheart
Known for his unique blend of experimental rock, avant-garde jazz, and Delta blues, Beefheart was an enigmatic figure demanding total control. His music, while critically acclaimed by some (like Trout Mask Replica), was challenging and achieved little commercial success even in his own time.
Why he might flop today: Beefheart’s highly experimental, unpredictable, and often dissonant music is fundamentally at odds with mainstream tastes favoring catchy melodies and conventional structures. In a world driven by quick hooks for viral content, his eccentric style would likely remain deeply niche, appreciated by a small online cult following perhaps, but nowhere near mainstream recognition.
4. The Velvet Underground
Integrating rock with the avant-garde, The Velvet Underground tackled provocative themes like drug use and urban decay with a cool, nihilistic attitude. Their influential debut album initially flopped commercially. Why they might flop today: Their raw, minimalist, and often abrasive sound (featuring drones and distortion) would likely alienate mainstream listeners accustomed to polished production.
Dark, challenging lyrical themes are also a harder sell for broad appeal compared to relatable pop narratives. While they might find a dedicated following in today’s online alternative scenes, their core style remains too unconventional for widespread, chart-topping success in the current market.
5. Tom Waits
With his distinct gravelly voice and evocative lyrics about society’s underbelly, Waits carved a unique path from folk to incorporating blues, jazz, and experimental sounds. He has a devoted following but hasn’t always chased mainstream commercial success. Why he might flop today: Waits’ instantly recognizable but highly unconventional voice doesn’t align with current mainstream vocal trends.
His songs often feature unusual instrumentation and structures, making them less accessible for listeners used to pop and hip-hop formats. While his storytelling is potent, achieving broad success in a market favoring shorter, easily digestible, and often visually-driven content would be a significant uphill battle.
6. Kate Bush
Kate Bush achieved UK stardom instantly with “Wuthering Heights,” showcasing theatricality, complex arrangements, and a unique vocal style. Her US impact was limited until Stranger Things caused a recent resurgence. Why she might struggle for mainstream dominance today: While her strong visual identity and creativity could thrive on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, potentially sparking viral moments (as seen with Stranger Things), her complex song structures and highly unconventional vocal delivery might still be challenging for sustained, broad mainstream pop radio and playlist dominance compared to artists with more formulaic approaches.
Breaking through initially, especially in the US market dominated by different trends, could be difficult without a lucky break like a sync placement.
7. Leonard Cohen
Starting as a poet, Cohen transitioned to music with deeply introspective, often melancholic songs delivered in his distinctive deep voice. He inspired devotion but never achieved massive commercial success. Why he might flop today: Cohen’s limited vocal range and somber, complex poetic lyrics don’t fit the mold of today’s dynamic pop vocalists or the trend towards simpler, more direct lyrical themes.
His often traditional, folk-based song structures might feel dated compared to contemporary production. While his depth would resonate with a niche audience online, achieving mainstream recognition in a market driven by upbeat tempos, instant gratification, and viral trends would be highly unlikely.
8. Tiny Tim
Famous for his novelty hit “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” Tiny Tim relied on his ukulele and unique high falsetto/vibrato voice. His act was eccentric, drawing fascination and ridicule. Why he might flop today: His sheer oddity could definitely spark a viral moment on TikTok – the uniqueness is undeniable. However, novelty acts rarely sustain mainstream careers.
His musical style offers little substance beyond the eccentricity, making long-term appeal outside of short-lived internet fame highly improbable. He’d likely be a brief meme, not a lasting artist.
9. Syd Barrett
A founding member of Pink Floyd, Barrett was a key innovator in early psychedelic rock, known for whimsical lyrics and experimental sounds. His career was cut short by mental health struggles. Why he might flop today: Barrett’s highly experimental, often fragmented, and sometimes dissonant musical ideas are far removed from mainstream preferences for polished, coherent song structures. While his unique creativity might attract a cult following within niche online experimental or psychedelic communities, his inconsistency and unconventional approach make mainstream success virtually impossible in today’s market.
10. GG Allin
A punk rocker infamous for his transgressive and violent stage antics, including self-mutilation and attacking audiences. His music was raw, aggressive, and confrontational. Why he might flop today: Allin’s extreme behavior and offensive content would undoubtedly generate massive controversy and notoriety online.
However, this notoriety would almost certainly preclude him from any form of mainstream success. Streaming platforms, labels, venues, and advertisers would likely shun him. While he might find a following in the darkest corners of online subcultures focused on shock value, he represents the antithesis of a commercially viable mainstream artist.
11. Yoko Ono
A multimedia artist known through her marriage to John Lennon, Ono’s musical work is often highly experimental and avant-garde, featuring unconventional vocalizations and soundscapes. Why she might flop today: Her challenging, abstract musical style and vocal performances are geared towards the art world and experimental music fans, not mainstream listeners.
While her name recognition might draw initial clicks, her music itself is unlikely to connect with audiences seeking the pop, rock, or hip-hop sounds that dominate today’s charts. Achieving widespread musical popularity based on her artistic output would be highly improbable.
12. Luciano Pavarotti
A globally renowned operatic tenor, Pavarotti brought opera to millions, selling over 100 million records. His powerful voice and charisma were undeniable. Why he might flop (in pop) today: While his exceptional vocal talent would surely gain attention, particularly on platforms showcasing technical skill (like YouTube or even TikTok), traditional opera remains a niche genre compared to mainstream pop, hip-hop, R&B, and EDM.
Achieving pop stardom in the current market, dominated by vastly different sounds and structures, would be extremely difficult. Crossover collaborations might offer some broader appeal (as he did later in his career), but his primary success would likely remain confined to the classical music world, not the mainstream pop charts.
13. Nick Drake
Drake was a hushed, introspective folk musician whose whisper of a voice and intricate acoustic guitar work went almost entirely unnoticed during his three-album career. He shunned live performance and interviews, and died at 26 having sold only a few thousand records in his lifetime.
Why he might flop today: streaming algorithms reward artists who show up, on stage, on stories, in comment sections, and Drake’s near total refusal to perform or self-promote would starve his music of any real discovery engine. His songs unfold slowly, built on mood rather than hooks, which works against a platform culture trained to skip past anything that doesn’t grab attention in the first few seconds.
His music eventually found an audience decades later through film and commercial licensing, a slow burn that today’s instant, algorithm-driven marketplace has little patience for.
14. Sun Ra
Claiming origins from Saturn and leading a rotating collective called the Arkestra, Sun Ra fused big band swing, free jazz, and cosmic mythology into performances that felt as much like ritual as concert. His catalog runs to hundreds of albums, most of them defiantly uncommercial.
Why he might flop today: his music resists categorization entirely, sliding between chaos and swing within a single track, which makes it nearly impossible for streaming services to slot into a tidy genre or mood playlist. The sprawling, improvisational nature of his work also runs counter to the short, endlessly replayable format that algorithms tend to favor.
His theatrical persona and space age mythology might earn him a curious viral clip here and there, but turning that novelty into sustained listenership in a market built on quick, easily categorized content would be a tall order.
Norwegian progressive black metal pioneers Enslaved have officially announced their seventeenth studio album, Mið, set for release on 30th October via Nuclear Blast Records. Across a remarkable 35-year journey, the Bergen vanguard have continually expanded the frontiers of heavy music, weaving Norse mythology and esoteric philosophies into intricate modern soundscapes. With Mið – the Old … Continue reading Enslaved announce seventeenth studio album Mið and unleash cosmic new single “Solar Will”
Rock lore loves the singer, worships the guitarist, and lionizes the drummer. Yet the bassist, the one literally binding rhythm to melody, often ends up the whipping post when ego, money, and misery start piling up.
Below are ten low-end legends who discovered just how expendable the “glue” can be when a band starts to crack.
1. Jason Newsted – Metallica’s “Newkid” Who Never Graduated
Cliff Burton’s tragic death left a chasm nothing could truly fill, and Jason Newsted paid for it. Hazed mercilessly (“We tried to beat the fan out of him,” James Hetfield later admitted), his bass was buried on …And Justice for All, and any attempt at outside creativity like his side-project Echobrain was stamped out.
After 15 years of being treated as a perpetual temp, he walked in 2001, proving even the biggest band in metal can’t keep you if it won’t let you breathe.
2. Michael Anthony – The Nice-Guy Outsider in the Van Halen Clan
Eddie and Alex steadily squeezed his royalties, mocked his playing, and finally replaced him with Eddie’s teenage son in 2006. Anthony wasn’t fired for lack of chops; he was punished for failing the family-loyalty test.
3. Kim Deal – The Pixies’ Spark Who Out-Shone the Boss
Deal’s magnetic stage presence and Breeders side-hustle turned her into an alt-rock superstar, much to Black Francis’s chagrin. Crowds roared louder for “Gigantic” than for his own songs, and Francis, guarding his fiefdom, froze her out in the studio.
Faxed dissolution notices (1993), a tense reunion, and another exit (2013) proved two great songwriters can’t coexist if one refuses to share the spotlight.
4. D’arcy Wretzky – Pumpkin Turned Scapegoat
Billy Corgan casts her as the addict who had to go; Wretzky recalls panic attacks, miscarriages, and nonstop belittling driving her to drugs. Whether casualty or culprit, she was ousted in 1999, then dangled and ghosted during reunion talks nearly two decades later.
She’s also a part of
The result: a fractured legacy and a cautionary tale about toxic front-man rule.
5. Glen Matlock – S** Pistols‘ Songsmith Too Tuneful for Anarchy
McLaren’s marketing genius declared he was sacked for “liking The Beatles.” In reality, Matlock quit, sick of the manufactured chaos between himself and Johnny Rotten. He’d written most of Never Mind the Bollocks, but the Pistols wanted spectacle over songcraft.
Matlock chose melody over mayhem, and still gets booed in punk mythology for it.
6. Dee Dee Ramone – Heart, Soul, and Headache of the Bruddahs
The Ramones’ main songwriter was also their walking disaster: lifelong addiction, street hustling, and explosive mood swings.
By 1989, recording Brain Drain felt like “pure hate,” so he quit to save himself, and the band exhaled in relief. Dee Dee’s chaos forged punk’s blueprint, but living with it proved impossible.
7. Kim Gordon – When the Band Is a Marriage
Sonic Youth’s democracy crumbled when Thurston Moore’s long-secret affair surfaced in 2011. Moore thought the band could pause; Gordon knew trust was gone.
No d***, no money fights just heartbreak that killed a 30-year art project overnight, reminding us some musical bonds are literally vows.
8. David Ellefson – Megadeth’s Co-Founder Caught in Mustaine’s Revolving Door
Lawsuits over royalties (2004) and a revenge-p*** scandal (2021) bookended Ellefson’s two exits, but the common denominator was Dave Mustaine’s absolute control.
The guitarist who’s still fuming about being fired from Metallica now dishes out pink slips with equal finality especially when the brand is at risk.
9. Ron McGovney – Metallica’s Placeholder Who Funded the Dream
Before Kill ’Em All, Hetfield and Ulrich rehearsed in McGovney’s garage and on his dime. Yet he always sensed he was “until they found somebody better.” Enter Cliff Burton, and McGovney learned he was out via grapevine, not meeting.
He bears no grudge, but his story shows how ruthless rising legends can be.
10. Paul Simonon – The Clash’s Icon Who Smashed the Moment, Not the Band
Simonon wasn’t hated by his mates far from it but his legendary bass smash at New York’s Palladium (immortalized on London Calling) sprang from raw frustration at seated security killing the show’s energy.
One violent swing captured the eternal tension between performer and venue and became punk’s most famous photograph.
11. Peter Hook – New Order’s Low-End Legend Locked Out of His Own Legacy
Hook co-founded Joy Division as a teenager, then helped forge New Order’s icy dance-rock after singer Ian Curtis’s suicide. His melodic, lead-line bass became the band’s signature sound for three decades.
But by the 2000s, the relationship with guitarist-turned-frontman Bernard Sumner had curdled into open hostility. Hook quit acrimoniously in 2007, and when Sumner reformed New Order without him in 2011, Hook answered with lawsuits over royalties and rights to the band’s name.
The result: two rival “New Orders” touring on either side of the Atlantic, and one of British music’s messiest, most protracted breakups still generating headlines more than a decade on.
12. Tina Weymouth – Talking Heads’ Anchor, Cut Loose by a One-Man Decision
Weymouth’s rolling basslines carried Talking Heads from CBGB art-punk into stadium-sized funk, and she co-founded the Tom Tom Club with husband Chris Frantz to fill the creative gaps as David Byrne grew more solitary.
When Byrne quietly told a European newspaper in 1991 that Talking Heads was finished, Weymouth and Frantz learned their band’s fate the same way fans did: secondhand, with no meeting, no vote, and no goodbye.
Decades of resentment followed, spilling out in Frantz’s memoir years later, proof that a band can end not with a blowup, but with a single unilateral quote to the press.
In wake of their forthcoming full-length release The Ones We Follow, due out on October 30th via Reigning Phoenix Music, Sarcator now stream a video clip for the new single called “In Search Of Oblivion”. Read more…
Slipknot have recently parted ways with their long-time member Sidney George “Sid” Wilson. Sid wrote a short note in his Instagram bio: “@slipknot 1997-2026”. Read more…
On October 2nd 2026, Butcher Babies will put out their fifth studio album dubbed Nightbloom. Check also a music video, directed by the band’s vocalist Heidi Shepherd, for the first single “Blame It On The Wind”. Read more…
Theo Black’s everything has changed dives into darkwave territory with a synth-heavy arrangement, shadowy atmosphere, and a distinctly nostalgic edge. Originally written for a side project in 2021, the track has been reshaped for Black’s current project, replacing the original vocal contribution with a striking text-to-speech passage that adds an intentionally detached, almost dystopian character. The production recalls the early-2020s darkwave resurgence and witch house aesthetic, balancing cold electronic textures with an underlying sense of melancholy and familiarity. Based in South Florida, Theo Black draws from DIY indie roots, darkwave, and ’70s folk, bringing these influences together into a distinctive alternative sound. everything has changed captures the strange feeling of looking back at something recent that already feels distant, turning nostalgia, loss, and electronic atmosphere into a compelling darkwave piece.
Steph Gold’s COME HOME delivers a guitar-driven alternative rock sound built around powerful female vocals, strong melodic hooks, and an anthemic sense of scale. The guitars give the track its driving momentum, while the vocal performance brings both intensity and emotional weight to the songwriting. There is a clear focus on creating a memorable, uplifting chorus without losing the edge of the rock arrangement, giving the song a confident and accessible character. COME HOME balances raw energy with polished songwriting, allowing the instrumental drive and commanding vocals to work naturally together. The result is an emotionally charged alternative rock track with enough melodic strength to feel immediate, while retaining the guitar-led attitude and dynamic presence that give Steph Gold’s sound its distinctive character.
