Clive Nolan Announces Song Of The Winter Throne – The Saga Of Håkon Håkonsson

British progressive rock composer, keyboardist and producer Clive Nolan has announced his ambitious new studio album, Song Of The Winter Throne – The Saga Of Håkon Håkonsson, due for release on 2 October 2026 via WLR (We Låve Rock) and Oskar Records.

Blending progressive rock, folk, orchestral, cinematic and epic rock elements, the album tells the extraordinary story of Håkon Håkonsson, the child born in secrecy during one of the most turbulent periods of Norwegian history, who would eventually become one of the country's most important medieval kings.

A first taste of the album is also being unveiled with the single “Frost Upon The Longships”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYIT_vM_xKU

The project follows Nolan's longstanding fascination with the mythology, history and storytelling traditions of the North.

His 2020 project Song of the Wildlands explored the world of Beowulf, combining orchestra, soloists and a 200-voice choir singing in Old English. That experience left Nolan wanting to return to the North — but this time with a story rooted in history rather than myth.

“Having immersed myself in the world of Beowulf, I found that the pull of the North had not loosened its grip on me. The sagas, the stark beauty of Norway, the rhythm of old stories carried across crackling fires and ocean spray... all of it continued to echo in my imagination long after the final notes of ‘Wildlands’ had faded.

There were more stories to tell... and perhaps, this time, something based in history, rather than myth. The more I explored Haakon’s world, the more I realised that this was not simply the story of a king’s reign. It was a story of survival. This was the perfect story for me to set as an album! ”

It is a story of war, ambition, loyalty, power and ultimately legacy — themes that Nolan translates into a cinematic musical journey.

Alongside the album announcement, pre-orders are now open, with the release available in a range of formats including Digital, Digipack CD, 2LP Black Vinyl, 2LP Blue Ice Vinyl, and an extensive Earbook featuring 2CDs and a DVD.

Pre-order:

CD: https://independentmusicmarket.com/en/rock/123023495-nolan-clive-song-of-the-winter-throne-cd-5907811117321.html

2LP Black: https://independentmusicmarket.com/en/rock/123023496-nolan-clive-song-of-the-winter-throne-2lp-5907811106615.html

2LP Blue Ice: https://independentmusicmarket.com/en/rock/123023497-nolan-clive-song-of-the-winter-throne-2lp-blue-ice-5907811106639.html

Earbook: https://independentmusicmarket.com/en/rock/123023498-nolan-clive-song-of-the-winter-throne-earbook-2cd-dvd-5907811117338.html