Norwegian hard rock trio Draken announces new album »Here Be Draken«; second single »The Great Deceiver« streaming now!
Oslo, Norway based hard rock trio Draken premiere the second single »The Great Deceiver« taken from their forthcoming album, »Here Be Draken«, scheduled for release on April 17th, 2026 via Dark Essence Records.
»Here Be Draken« is available now on all major streaming platforms!
Tracklist
01. The Great Deceiver
02. Jólablót
03. Saturday Night Head Removal Extravaganza
04. Here Be Dragons
05. Crimson Sun
06. It Serves You Right
07. Wrath
08. Shirts Of Black (F.O.A.D.)
09. Of Demise And Men
10. Endtyme
11. Shit Show
Courtesy of Dark Essence Records:
With the announcement of the signing of the true Norwegian hard rock trio Draken, we 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 now.
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.”
Photo by Mats O. Bristol
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. Cover artwork done by Per Spjøtvold.
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 vinyl and digital formats.
Pre-order here:
shop.karismarecords.no | drakentheband.bandcamp.com
Draken is:
Even Hermansen – Guitars/Vocals
Hallvard Gaardløs – Bass/Vocals
André Drage – Drums
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well