- Rock Metal Machine
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
CLIVE NOLAN’S NEW EPIC HAS A ROYAL SECRET!
A hidden birth leads to Norway’s medieval throne.
Published: 03 Sept 2026 • Author: Rock Metal Machine • Reading Time: 3 mins
British progressive rock composer Clive Nolan announces Song Of The Winter Throne – The Saga Of Håkon Håkonsson, an ambitious new album blending progressive rock, folk, orchestral and cinematic elements. Due October 2, 2026, it chronicles the extraordinary rise of medieval Norwegian king Håkon Håkonsson.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist:
Clive Nolan
Album:
Song Of The Winter Throne – The Saga Of Håkon Håkonsson
Release Date:
2nd October 2026
Record Label:
WLR (We Låve Rock) and Oskar Records. Pre Order:
Link Formats:
CD • Vinyl • Earbook
PR Label:
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.
🔥 FIREWORKS INSIGHT
Clive Nolan has built a career around ambitious progressive rock and theatrical storytelling. Following the mythology of Song Of The Wildlands, this project turns to the documented story of Håkon Håkonsson, bringing Norwegian history into Nolan’s expansive musical world. For prog fans, it continues his fascination with epic narratives while moving from legend to history. The intriguing question is how Nolan will balance the complexity of Håkon’s story with the musical accessibility that has helped define his work.
The project follows Nolan's longstanding fascination with the mythology, history and storytelling traditions of the North.
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▶ WATCH THE NEW SINGLE
Want to hear the first taste of Song Of The Winter Throne – The Saga Of Håkon Håkonsson for yourself? Watch the official video below.
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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! ”
There were more stories to tell… and perhaps, this time, something based in history, rather than myth.
Clive Nolan
It is a story of war, ambition, loyalty, power and ultimately legacy — themes that Nolan translates into a cinematic musical journey.
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Pre-order:
2LP Blue Ice: https://independentmusicmarket.com/en/rock/123023497-nolan-clive-song-of-the-winter-throne-2lp-blue-ice-5907811106639.html
The Earbook also includes a second album containing twelve bonus tracks, alternate mixes, instrumental versions, backing tracks and The Narration (Fireside Mix), alongside the 43-minute documentary DVD.
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Images courtesy of Kristine Clason / Bad Dog Promotions
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