The Weight of the Mask

The Weight of the Mask
Studio album by Svalbard
Released	6 October 2023
Recorded	February 2023
Studio	The Ranch Production House (Southampton)
Genre	Post-hardcore post-metal
Length	44:16
Label	Nuclear Blast
Producer	Lewis Johns
Svalbard chronology
When I Die, Will I Get Better? (2020) The Weight of the Mask (2023)
Singles from The Weight of the Mask
"Eternal Spirits" Released: 27 February 2023 "Faking It" Released: 12 July 2023 "How to Swim Down" Released: 15 August 2023

The Weight of the Mask is the fourth studio album by British post-hardcore band Svalbard, released on 6 October 2023 through Nuclear Blast Records. It is the band's first album with bassist Matt Francis. After initial writing sessions were hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Svalbard began working on new material in April 2021, before recording the album in February 2023 with long-time producer Lewis Johns at The Ranch Production House in Southampton. Developing from the sound of its predecessor When I Die, Will I Get Better? (2020), the album saw the band experiment with its sound, production, and instrumentation. Lyrically, it eschews the social and political themes of its previous albums, with a focus on mental health, anxiety, depression and love.

The Weight of the Mask debuted and peaked number 29 on the UK Independent Albums Chart and received praise for its songwriting, emotional lyrics and themes; Bandcamp Daily, Blabbermouth.net and Kerrang! considered it to be Svalbard's best album. The band supported the album with numerous festival appearances and headlining tours of Europe, Australia and Japan, alongside supporting tours with Cult of Luna, Enslaved and Alcest.