The brilliant Slagmaur has unleashed a magnificent new video for their latest single, “Huldergeist” — the third song on the upcoming masterpiece, Hulders Ritual. Fans have impatiently awaited the follow-up to Thill Smitts Terror (2017) for years, and, fortunately, it has finally received a release date: Hulders Ritual will become an instant classic on February 27, 2026. You can and, unless you want to be kidnapped by supernatural beings, should pre-order it here from Germany’s celebrated Prophecy Productions. The additional sonic miracles included are “Ritual Dogs,” “Wildkatze,” “Hexen Herjer,” “Warlock,” and “Rathkings.”
Musically and visually, we are conditioned to expect the best from Slagmaur, who has always provided us with Gesamtkunstwerk at its finest. This leading black metal outfit’s driving force, the legendary General Gribbsphiiser, doubles as a phenomenal photographer and filmmaker. Thus, Slagmaur has long boasted some of the greatest, arguably even the greatest, visuals in dark music. Fortunately, Gribbsphiiser created the artwork for Hulders Ritual. Gribbsphiiser comments on “Huldergeist”: “The music video was filmed by Håkon Settemsdal, who is one of the world’s leading drone pilots and a two-time award winner with the drone manufacturer DJI.” Settemsdal’s video perfectly captures Norwegian nature in all of its fearsome majesty.
General Gribbsphiiser clarifies: “The first single from our new album ‘Hulders Ritual’ is based on a historic event at Fosen, when someone went ‘bergtatt’, which means a person that was taken by the hidden folk and has vanished without a trace… The event is well attested in local village chronicles. Dark rituals, paranormal phenomena, and deep-rooted folklore do not just build the core of this track but also form the concept behind ‘Hulders Ritual’.” Prophecy further explains: “The album’s name refers to a female spirit or fay being that is common in Nordic folklore. Mostly associated with the forest, the relationship of these seductive creatures with humans differs in local tradition and ranges from beneficial to outright evil: abducting and murdering men or replacing human children with their own misshapen get.”
Hulders Ritual showcases General Gribbsphiiser on guitars, Dr. Von Hellreich on main vocals, Mr. Unt Zilla on bass, and Red Max on drums. As confirmed by Gribbsphiiser, “Huldergeist” features incredible guest talents: “On this track, I am joined on vocals by D.G. from Misþyrming and the climatic finale is perfectly delivered by Taake’s Hoest. The song closes with the Hulder’s answer, which is beautifully performed by the vocalist Maria Charlotte Lund.” D.G. also contributes to “Rathkings,” along with Dimmu Borgir’s Silenoz. Other surprise appearances on the record come from the venerable Wraath of Darvaza, Bartholomäus Resch of ArsGoatia, and Doedsadmiral of Nordjevel.
Slagmaur’s close accomplice, the great Snorre W. Ruch of Thorns, who pioneered Norwegian Black Metal, served as an additional producer. Meanwhile, the General is credited with recording and mixing. Mastering was carried out by Stein Bratland, who has collaborated with Manes — the greatest thing to come out of Trøndelag, along with associated acts, Slagmaur, and Thorns. Let it be known: Ruch is actually the menace behind the hood on the cover of Hulders Ritual and can be seen on Von Rov Shelter (2009) as well.
Many readers are already aware that the themes of Hulders Ritual are connected with Gribbsphiiser and Ruch’s recent vanishing act, which has been referred to as the black metal artistic and social experiment of the century. Black metal should be fiery, and Slagmaur and Thorns teamed up with Fosen Fire & Rescue, the Norwegian Civil Defence, and the local Red Cross to help beautifully pull off “Operation Master of Deceptions.”
Keep your eyes and ears open for more developments from Slagmaur, or prove yourself to be a poser.
