Svalbard say, “It’s a song not just heavy with riffs but heavy with sentiment, reflecting on our 15 years as a band…”
After announcing that they'll be bringing things to a close over the next year or so, Svalbard have released their final song, the heavy but reflective If We Could Still Be Saved.
The video features clips from over the Bristol metallers' history, while the song itself takes in processing the end, knowing it's over, but noting that 'The memories will last for a lifetime.'
"We spend most of our lives unaware of finality. Blissfully oblivious to when those musical notes played will be our last," says singer/guitarist Serena Cherry. "So, when we can see an end in sight for something, it distorts the view. Like a funeral marked in your calendar a year in advance. Appreciation shows it's sheepish face and whispers: 'sorry I took so long.'
"This is the last time we will release a song as Svalbard. Its a song not just heavy with riffs but heavy with sentiment, reflecting on our 15 years as a band. It's also a parting gift to all of the people who have supported us.
"Think of it as the metal version of 'Goodbye by the Spice Girls!"
The band revealed their plans to split after 15 years and four albums earlier this year.
"From the moment we formed Svalbard in 2011, all we wanted was to play loud and play shows," said Serena of the news. "Every single moment was exciting to us, from playing DIY squat shows to major metal festivals all over Europe. I think we will always feel a slight state of disbelief over what our noisy little band from Bristol managed to achieve.
"We never wanted to create music that was easy to pigeonhole, and I feel proud that we always stayed true to ourselves musically and never restricted our creativity within the genre rule book.
"The support we received over the years as a band is something that I will carry in my heart forever. It's a testament to the openmindedness of the metal community that our sound and our outspokenness was embraced with open arms.
"I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Svalbard, it's been an incredible journey and we could not have done it without you."
The band's final UK tour starts this Wednesday, with Cage Fight and KNIFE BRIDE joining them. They've also announced their final UK festival appearance at ArcTanGent next August.
Catch them at one of the dates below.
Svalbard tour 2025
November
19 Glasgow, Slay
20 Manchester, Rebellion
21 Newcastle, Think Tank
22 Bristol, Thekla
23 London, Oslo Hackney
