Norwegian heavy music outfit Octohawk return with a new single, “Samsara” — out now — and it's another confident step forward from one of the most compelling names in the Nordic underground.
Octohawk emerged from Norway's underground in 2020, uniting experienced musicians with a shared vision for progressive, sludgy and melodic metal. Their debut album Animist (2021) drew widespread praise and appeared on multiple Album of the Year lists. The follow-up, Determinist (2023), received equally strong reviews, solidifying the band's growing presence in the Nordic heavy music scene.
Their sound is defined by lead-heavy riffs, dynamic progressive passages, crushing vocals, synth-driven atmospheres and explosive drumming — a live and recorded experience that is both unrelenting and immersive. Genre boundaries blur on purpose: the music is unpredictable yet cohesive, always heavy, always forward-driven. Members draw from prior work in Mammüth, Ninth Circle, Cassidy and Dead Sheriff, bringing deep musical versatility to the project. Despite launching in the middle of the pandemic, the band has steadily built momentum across Norway's live circuit.
A defining part of Octohawk's identity is their DIY ethos — from crafting their own visual concepts to producing striking, story-driven music videos that reflect the band's dark, atmospheric aesthetic. That hands-on approach amplifies their artistic voice and strengthens the connection between their sound and visuals — something the artwork for “Samsara” makes clear at first glance, with its stark red sigil, ritual imagery and monochrome weight.
“Samsara” fits naturally alongside Animist and Determinist while pushing the atmosphere further into ritual, cyclical territory. It's the kind of track that rewards headphones and volume in equal measure: the riffs land hard, the synths open up the room, and the drumming keeps the whole thing driving forward.
The single is out now across streaming platforms. For anyone paying attention to Norway's heavy underground — or to modern progressive sludge and melodic metal in general — Octohawk remain a name worth following closely.
— Tomi Perrakoski / Metal Madness Weekly
