Acclaimed Norwegian hard rock outfit AUDREY HORNE will return on September 4, 2026 with its eighth studio album, “Achilles”, set for release via Napalm Records. To kick off the album campaign, the band has unveiled the record’s first single, “Insanity”, a high-octane rock ‘n’ roll anthem bursting with energy and attitude. The track arrives alongside an official music video that perfectly captures its untamed and electrifying spirit.
With previous studio releases “Blackout” (2018) and “Devil’s Bell” (2022) earning widespread acclaim from critics around the globe, AUDREY HORNE has firmly established itself as one of Norway’s premier hard rock acts. The band’s achievements include a Spellemannprisen — Norway’s equivalent of a Grammy Award — for its 2005 debut album. Over the years, AUDREY HORNE has shared stages with legendary names such as AC/DC and MÖTLEY CRÜE, while also touring extensively both as a headlining act and alongside artists including PAPA ROACH and BACKYARD BABIES, further cementing its reputation as one of Norway’s most notable rock exports.
AUDREY HORNE comments on “Insanity”: “The first song that was written for the album. It’s a classic AUDREY HORNE tune that has the energy, the twin guitars, a big chorus and a cool mid-section. The lyrics are inspired by ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’ by IRON MAIDEN. It is an attempt to say what might have happened prior to the story in that song.”
“Achilles” comprises 11 diverse tracks that highlight the full spectrum of AUDREY HORNE’s songwriting talents, moving effortlessly between adrenaline-fueled hard rock anthems and more melodic, progressive compositions. The band’s lineup — vocalist Toschie, guitarists Thomas Tofthagen and Ice Dale (ENSLAVED), bassist Espen Lien, and drummer Kjetil Greve — delivers a performance that showcases both musical versatility and maturity.
The album opens in commanding fashion with the title track, “Achilles”, where thunderous guitar riffs, a driving rhythm section, and Toschie’s powerful vocals immediately set the tone. The song also reveals the band’s progressive edge, blending contrasting musical passages that reinforce lyrics inspired by the divisions and tensions of the modern world.
Elsewhere, tracks such as “God Damn Beautiful” demonstrate AUDREY HORNE’s knack for crafting memorable hooks and infectious melodies. Driven by a grooving, THIN LIZZY-flavored vibe, the song notably places bassist Espen Lien in the spotlight as lead vocalist. Meanwhile, album closer “New Star Falling” provides a fitting finale, emphasizing the band’s melodic sensibilities and bringing the record to an uplifting conclusion.
With “Achilles”, AUDREY HORNE delivers a richly textured heavy rock album that blends the timeless spirit of classic ’70s and ’80s rock with lyrical themes ranging from escapism and self-reflection to observations on an increasingly unstable world. The result is a record equally suited for radio airplay and electrifying live performances.
“Achilles” track listing:
01. Achilles
02. In The Eye Of The Hurricane
03. Vampires
04. God Damn Beautiful
05. Pretty Little Lies
06. Prodrome
07. Insanity
08. Hell Is Eternity
09. Six Feet In The Ground
10. Running Through The Night
11. New Star Falling
