NEW ALBUM GRAND SERPENT RISING OUT ON MAY 22
Photo Credit: Stian Andersen
Norwegian extreme metal titans DIMMU BORGIR have officially announced their long-awaited new studio album, Grand Serpent Rising, set for release on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Returning to the studio in Gothenburg, the band once again joined forces with acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström, the mastermind behind some of DIMMU BORGIR’s most revered works, including Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Death Cult Armageddon. The result is a record that captures the band’s signature blend of symphonic grandeur and unrelenting aggression, while pushing their sound into darker, more commanding territory.
Today, DIMMU BORGIR unveil the second single from the album: ‘Ascent’. Striking like lightning across a frozen northern sky, the song is a ferocious statement of intent—aggressive, vicious, and twistedly beautiful. ‘Ascent’ delivers a chilling reminder that DIMMU BORGIR remain at the height of their powers, embodying the intensity, menace, and authenticity that have defined their legacy.
The track arrives alongside a visually arresting, “in your face” music video that amplifies the song’s raw energy and atmospheric darkness.
Watch the video for ‘Ascent’:
https://youtu.be/klJcOWTNedA
Listen to ‘Ascent’ on all platforms:
https://dimmuborgir.bfan.link/ascent
Pre-order Grand Serpent Rising:
https://dimmuborgir.bfan.link/grandserpentrising
Shagrath comments on the track: ” Musically, ‘Ascent’ is more ferocious and direct than the first single, ‘Ulvgjeld & Blodsødel.’ Together, the two tracks showcase the musical scope of the album in a great way. From the outset, we’ve said that Grand Serpent Rising stands as one of our most diverse records to date, and these songs underline exactly that.”
Silenoz adds: “ ‘Ascent’ is about the grand serpent rising through your spinal cord. It is not a pretty experience but it is a necessary one – in order to reach higher consciousness and levels of understanding. It’s a voyage of transformation and surrender.
‘Only he who knows fear but overcomes it can be fearless; he who sees the abyss with pride. He who sees the abyss with eagle eyes; he who grasps the abyss with eagle claws; he is courageous.’ – Nietzsche “
The album comes in following formats:
CD Jewelcase
2LP + 1CD, 24-Page Mediabook, Transparent Green with Black + White Marble Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Dark Green Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl (Norway Exclusive)
2LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Vinyl (Sweden Rock Exclusive)
2LP Gatefold Pearl Flip Waterfall Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Gold with Black Marble Vinyl (Revolver Exclusive)
The Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026 tour marks the legendary return of DIMMU BORGIR to North American soil for their first headlining trek since 2018, featuring special guests Hypocrisy, Suffocation, and Hulder.
Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026:
07 Aug 2026 New York, NY – The Palladium
08 Aug 2026 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
10 Aug 2026 Toronto, ON – HISTORY
11 Aug 2026 Montreal, QC – M Telus
13 Aug 2026 Cleveland, OH – The Agora Theatre
14 Aug 2026 Chicago, IL – The Vic
15 Aug 2026 Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
18 Aug 2026 Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom
21 Aug 2026 San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
23 Aug 2026 Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
In October 2026, two of the most influential forces in extreme metal join together for a monumental live assault: DIMMU BORGIR and BEHEMOTH will embark on the ‘In League With Satan’ Co-Headline Tour, storming across Europe and the UK. As special guests, the Swedish black metal icons Dark Funeral will add even more ferocity to an already devastating lineup.