Earlier this year, progressive heavy standouts Svalbard announced that 2026 would mark the final year of the band along with a run of farewell dates. The announcement followed the acclaim of Svalbard's 2023 full length, The Weight of the Mask along with a healthy touring slate behind the record. 

Set to begin their final stretch of headlining UK dates, the band has unveiled their recorded finale as a unit, issuing a powerful departing statement with the song, "If We Could Still Be Saved." Asserting the band's meld of metallic efficiency backed by Serena Cherry's commanding vocal presence, the track offers a poignant farewell and a show gratitude for more than 15 years of music. 

Cherry shared of the finale, "We spend most of our lives unaware of finality. Blissfully oblivious to when those musical notes played will be our last. 

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!"

Spanning nearly two decades with a healthy output consisting of three EP releases, a cache of split releases and four full length studio albums all of which showcased the band's progressive, dynamic approach to heavy music, Svalbard leave behind a legacy that saw no compromise in the pursuit of creative excellence. 

Further reflecting on the lengthy run of the band and their ability to create on their own terms, Serena Cherry previously shared her appreciation for the entirety of Svalbard. 

"From the moment we formed Svalbard in 2011, all we wanted was to play loud and play shows. 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." 

See the dates for Svalbard's final UK tour beginning this week with Cage Fight and Knife Bride. Additional dates include the an appearance in Toronto next May for Prepare the Ground and an important play at ArcTanGent outside of Bristol next August. More final dates will be announced soon. Get tickets - HERE