UK post-black metallers Svalbard have announced that the band will call it quits in 2026 after a handful of farewell tours in the UK, Japan, and other yet-to-be-announced countries.
The band will hit the road for their final UK tour with Cage Fight and Knife Bride this November, and the band plans to announce the Japanese tour and other select farewell shows at a later date.
You can read their full statement below:
"After much reflection, we have decided that 2026 will be the final year of Svalbard. Our final UK tour will be in November 2025. Following that, we will be doing a final EU tour, a final Japanese tour and a few more select farewell shows in 2026. Thank you to everyone who has supported us during our 15 years as a band. Your support has meant the world to us. We’ve shared so many unforgettable moments and we look forward to commemorating our last year as a band with you in 2026."
Additionally, vocalist/guitarist Serena Cherry issued their own heartfelt statement (via Kerrang!):
"From the moment we formed Svalbard in 2011, all we wanted was to play loud and play shows. Every single moment was exciting to us, from playing DIY squat shows to major metal festivals all over Europe. I think we will always feel a slight state of disbelief over what our noisy little band from Bristol managed to achieve.
"We never wanted to create music that was easy to pigeonhole, and I feel proud that we always stayed true to ourselves musically and never restricted our creativity within the genre rule book. The support we received over the years as a band is something that I will carry in my heart forever. It's a testament to the open-mindedness of the metal community that our sound and our outspokenness was embraced with open arms.
"I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Svalbard, it's been an incredible journey and we could not have done it without you."
Formed in 2011 by Serena Cherry (lead guitar, vocals), Liam Phelan (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Mark Lilley (drums); and later joined by bassist Matt Francis in 2020; Svalbard combine elements of post-hardcore, black metal, and shoegaze, among other influences, to create a seamless blend of heavy chords with powerful messages.
Check out the band's final UK tour dates below:
11/19 Glasgow, UK @ SLAY
11/20 Manchester, UK @ REBELLION
11/21 Newcastle, UK @ THINK TANK
11/22 Bristol, UK @ THEKLA
11/23 London, UK @ OSLO HACKNEY
The band's final album, 2023's The Weight of the Mask, was released by Nuclear Blast Records to critical acclaim for its cathartic depth and sonic beauty. Listen below:
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