DRAKEN – new album announced and new single released

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DRAKEN – new album announced and new single released

Photo: Mats O. Bristol

TRUE NORWEGIAN HARD ROCK BAND DRAKEN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM AND NEW SINGLE

With the announcement of the signing of the True Norwegian Hard Rock trio Draken, Dark Essence records could end 2025 with the introduction of their 3rd album with the first single “Jólablót.

The upcoming album, “Here Be Draken”, has now got a release date, which is April the 17th. To celebrate this, the hard hitting and perfectly catchy opening song “The Great Deceiver” is being released today, and it can be heard here:
https://orcd.co/draken

Draken’s bassist and vocalist Hallvard Gaardløs has this to say about “The Great Deceiver”:
More often than not, there’s a track or two on an album that I feel kind of encapsulates the spirit of that particular record. On this album its “The Great Deceiver” for me, definitively. I feel it sums up what we want Draken to be, musically. A barrage of non-stop riffing, an all-out assault of rock n roll.
 
Lyrically, this track is about someone who exploits people when they are at their weakest and most exposed. A person who preys on people who are alone and lonely.

Formed in 2019 by Even Hermansen (guitar/vocals), Hallvard Gaardløs (bass/vocals) and André Drage (drums), Draken has carved out a fierce sonic identity at the crossroads of heavy rock and metal. Drawing inspiration from bands like High on Fire, Motörhead and Entombed, their sound is defined by down-tuned guitars, massive riffs and raw energy.

Hallvard Gaardløs has this to say about the upcoming album:
For a long time, the main theme of “Here Be Draken” alluded me. But the more I think about it, this album is about new beginnings in so many ways.
Sonically, it’s a new beginning. After two albums with Vegard Liverød (a true gentleman and legend!), the time was right for a change of scenery. We went for Amper Tone, which, quite conveniently, is just a stones throw from where I live. I talked to Kim Lillestøl about engineering, we knew each other from music studies, and we all have heard great things about him the last couple of years. The result… well, hear for yourself!



As mentioned, the upcoming album “Here Be Draken” was recorded at Amper Tone in Oslo and produced by the band together with engineer Kim Lillestøl. With artwork by Per Spjøtvold, the track listing is as follows:

1. The Great Deceiver
2. Jólablót
3. Saturday Night Head Removal Extravaganza
4. Here Be Dragons
5. Crimson Sun
6. It Serves You Right
7. Wrath
8. Shirts of Black (F.O.A.D.)
9. Of Demise and Men
10. Endtyme
11. Shitshow

Their first two albums – Draken (2021) and Book of Black (2023) – were released on Swedish label Majestic Mountain Records and received strong reviews across Norwegian and European press. The upcoming album Here Be Dragons was recorded at Amper Tone in Oslo and produced by the band together with engineer Kim Lillestøl.

Draken has performed across Norway and Sweden and toured central Europe with Spidergawd. With a new label and a new album on the horizon, the band is ready to take things to the next level.

Set for a release on Dark Essence Records on April the 17th, “Here Be Draken” will be available on CD, Limited Edition Cream White Vinyl and digital formats, and can be pre-ordered from:
Webshop: https://shop.karismarecords.no/
Bandcamp: https://drakentheband.bandcamp.com/

More information about DRAKEN can be found on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/drakentheband

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