Recently, it was reported that Thorns mastermind Snorre W. Ruch and Slagmaur guitarist and bassist Rune “General Gribbsphiiser” Røstad had gone missing in the mountains near Tjønnstua, Norway. This news was shared by Dagur Gíslason of Misþyrming, lending credibility to the story.
Some readers expressed skepticism, suggesting that the report might have been AI-generated on a fake website. However, the story remained unconfirmed until an official statement from the band was released.
Slagmaur has now announced a new album, Hulders Ritual, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. The album features guest vocals from Gíslason, Hoest of Taake, Maria Charlotte Lund, and Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir, as well as additional production contributions from Ruch</strong). 
Regarding the reported disappearance, Slagmaur‘s label, Prophecy, stated in their press release: “The disappearance of Gribbsphiiser and Snorre Ruch prior to the album announcement was not a publicity stunt, but rather an integral part of the stories of abduction and disappearance caused by supernatural beings that are explored on Hulders Ritual</em).
“This action also served as a reminder that the mechanisms of orally transmitted folk tales, children’s rhymes, and local stories that inspire Slagmaur still function in the digital age, albeit with the significant difference that information now circulates rapidly and globally.
“Slagmaur has never intended their lyrics to be a simple retelling of old stories, but rather a challenge to conventions or a provocative and unsettling confrontation. Gribbsphiiser occasionally assumes the role of a black jester, holding up a mirror to society and disregarding potential opposition, even if it means generating a viral story with deliberately planted clues and holes.
It appears that Slagmaur is indeed pushing the boundaries of edgy black metal. Hulders Ritual is available for pre-order here, and the first single, “Huldergeist,” can be found below.
Regarding the single, Gribbsphiiser commented: “The first single from our new album Hulders Ritual is based on a historical event at Fosen, where someone went ‘bergtatt,’ meaning they were taken by the hidden folk and vanished without a trace. This event is well-documented in local village chronicles.
“Dark rituals, paranormal phenomena, and deep-rooted folklore form the core of this track and the concept behind Hulders Ritual. On this track, I am joined on vocals by D.G. from Misþyrming, and the climactic finale is perfectly delivered by Taake‘s Hoest. The song closes with the Hulder‘s answer, beautifully performed by vocalist Maria Charlotte Lund. The music video was filmed by Håkon Settemsdal, a leading drone pilot and two-time award winner with the drone manufacturer DJI.”
