Swedish heavy rock band Nephila released their highly anticipated sophomore album Huldra on August 28 via Majestic Mountain Records. The record marks a significant sonic transformation for the seven-piece collective, shedding the warmer 1970s rock swagger of their debut in favor of a much heavier and darker atmosphere. Thematically, the album operates as a cinematic concept record inspired by the skogsrå, the enigmatic forest spirit of Nordic folklore. Across the eight tracks, the band utilizes this mythological figure to explore modern concepts of identity, freedom, and the historical fear of independent women who refuse to conform.

Operating out of Arvika, the masked ensemble recorded the new material in a remote former orphanage to capture an authentic sense of isolation. The ambitious project was driven forward by the dual vocal performances of Josephine Asker and new member Linn Edlund. To celebrate the arrival of the record the group recently shared an official music video for the title track which visually captures a desperate pursuit through the moonlit woods. Huldra is currently available to stream and download across all major digital platforms following a long three-year creative journey.