Mortiis (NOR) Returning to New Zealand in November

One of the most pivotal figures in what would come to be known worldwide as dungeon synth music, Mortiis aka Norwegian composer Håvard Ellefsen is returning to Aotearoa New Zealand this November. Formerly bassist for black metal icons Emperor during their '91 / '92 era (he's credited for 'Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times' on their debut album In the Nightside Eclipse), Mortiis' innovative first solo era from 1993 onwards set the template for what would become dungeon synth.

Channeling his dark sonic vision through an arsenal of synthesisers, such deeply atmospheric Mortiis classics as Keiser Av En Dimension Ukjent (King of An Unknown Dimension), The Song of a Long Forgotten Ghost and Født Til Å Herske have reached new generations of fans via extensive reissues in recent years. Mortiis will be down under championing the re-release of his 2001 album The Smell Of Rain via Out Of Season, a record which embraced a new second era of industrial rock-metal, darkwave textures and hammering electronic beats.

Instantly recognisable by his goblin-like visage, Mortiis will perform "songs from The Smell Of Rain album and other volumes of Dystopian Despair" with full band at Tāmaki Makaurau's Double Whammy and Te Whanganui-a-Tara's Valhalla. They'll be joined for both events by the capital's rising metal titans Windswept, whose debut album Howling in Baptismal Filth landed late last month with atom bomb impact via US imprint Northern Void Records. Read Sean O'Kane-Connolly's interview with Mortiis HERE when he last visited our shores in 2018, and grab tickets before they run out — brought to you by Valhalla Touring...

Mortiis NZ Tour 2026
with special guests Windswept

Friday 13th November - Double Whammy, Auckland
Saturday 14th November - Valhalla, Wellington

Tickets on sale HERE via UTR (VIP Meet & Greet Package option available)

Experience 'Parasite God' from Mortiis' 2001 album The Smell Of Rain...

Listen to the remastered version of 'Visjoner av en Eldgammel Fremtid pt IV' from 1995's Ånden som gjorde opprør...

Smash play on Windswept's 'Cenote' from their new debut album Howling in Baptismal Filth...

Press release:

Valhalla Touring are proud to present from the Cold Dark Depths of Norway MORTIIS, with special guest Windswept.

MORTIIS needs no introduction to the Metal world, famous for being the bass player in early EMPEROR, Mortiis has since carved a long and respected career in the Dark Dungeon Synth world for the last 3 + decades. Mortiis has performed in Australia before as a solo one man show, but this time NZ will be treated to something very special... he will be bringing his band with him for the very first time, performing songs from The Smell Of Rain album and other volumes of Dystopian Despair. This is a first and not to be missed.

Wellington's very own black metal powerhouse Windswept, are locked in to bring their unholy chaos to the stage as the official support on both shows. Their debut album 'Howling in Baptismal Filth' recently released on US label 'Northern Void Records' has made a big impact, debuting on the official Aoteoroa music charts.