Einar Solberg — known worldwide as the magnetic frontman of Norwegian progressive powerhouse Leprous — has completed work on his upcoming second solo album, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2023’s acclaimed 16. Today, he unveils the first preview of that new chapter with the bold, cinematic, and emotionally charged new single “Stella Mortua”, recorded in collaboration with The Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Alongside the sweeping orchestration, Solberg is once again joined by drummer Keli Guðjónsson (Agent Fresco) and violinist Chris Baum (Bent Knee), with newcomers Jed Lindgard on bass and Pierre Daniel on guitar rounding out the lineup. The track was mixed by Adam Noble (Nothing But Thieves, Biffy Clyro) and co-produced with David Castillo.
Solberg describes the piece as one of his most ambitious to date:
“Stella Mortua is one of the darkest and most grandiose pieces I’ve ever written — a fusion of progressive metal and cinematic orchestration, recorded by the incredible Norwegian Radio Orchestra. It explores how envy and insecurity can quietly thrive beneath the surface of success. In this world, demons wear tuxedos, and pride slowly turns to paralysis.
With Stella Mortua, the Einar Solberg project has truly found its sound: highly dynamic, orchestral and cinematic progressive metal with an emotional core. I’m going all the way with this.”
2026 EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR ANNOUNCED
With a new solo album on the way, Solberg has announced the first run of headline dates for 2026, bringing his cinematic progressive metal sound across Europe and the UK:
2026 TOUR DATES
18/09 – UK, London – The Garage
19/09 – FR, Paris – Café de la Danse
20/09 – FR, Toulouse – Le Rex
21/09 – FR, Biarritz – La Rhapsodie
22/09 – PT, Porto – Mouco
23/09 – PT, Lisbon – Republica da Musica
26/09 – FR, Grenoble – L’Amperage
29/09 – PL, Krakow – Hype Park
30/09 – DE, Berlin – Lido
01/10 – DE, Neunkirchen – Gebläsehalle
02/10 – CH, Baden – Werkk Kulturlokal
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 19 at 10am local time.
About Einar Solberg
Einar officially launched his solo career in 2023 with 16, an album built around bold collaborations and genre-defying experimentation. The release saw him perform his first-ever solo shows at Prognosis Festival, Euroblast, Hellfest, Rock Imperium, and more, backed by an exceptional live band. With “Stella Mortua”, Solberg steps deeper into a fully formed artistic identity — one defined by orchestral scope, emotional intensity, and progressive ambition.
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