Norwegian progressive metal band GREEN CARNATION have released the title track from “A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex”, the closing chapter of their new album trilogy. Serving as the second advance single from the record, the track offers the first glimpse into the final installment of the band’s long-running conceptual work.

Set for release on September 4, 2026 via Season of Mist, “A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex” will complete the “A Dark Poem” series, which began in 2025, bringing the band’s progressive, dark, and experimental musical approach to its conclusion.

The album’s title track, “The Messiah Complex”, is built around an existential narrative exploring humanity’s constant search for external excuses rather than confronting the consequences of its own actions. Combining crushing guitar riffs, electronic textures, and progressive passages, the song highlights the band’s lyrical approach of connecting the anxieties of the modern world with concepts of faith and power rooted in the past.

Vocalist Kjetil Nordhus describes “The Messiah Complex” as one of the defining moments of the trilogy, emphasizing that despite its unique atmosphere, the track still carries the unmistakable identity of GREEN CARNATION. The song also features notable contributions from Bjørn Harstad’s guitar work, Jonathan Alejandro Perez’s drumming, and Stein Roger Sordal’s bass and vocal performances.

“A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex” will serve as the conclusion to the band’s three-part narrative inspired by Arthur Rimbaud’s interpretation of Ophelia. While the previous chapters, “The Shores of Melancholia” and “Sanguis”, brought together elements of metal, rock, and folk, the new album places a stronger emphasis on the band’s progressive metal identity.

The album’s closing piece, the 16-minute “A Dark Poem - Orchestral Suite”, stands out as one of the band’s most expansive compositions. Featuring the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Opera Choir, the track brings together the trilogy’s various themes through an orchestral finale.

Founded in the early 1990s by Emperor’s founding bassist Tchort, GREEN CARNATION established a unique position within the metal world, particularly through their 2001 album “Light of Day, Day of Darkness”, which consists of a single hour-long epic composition. After going on hiatus in 2007, the band returned with 2020’s “Leaves of Yesteryear” and later embarked on the “A Dark Poem” trilogy.

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Tracklist for “A Dark Poem, Part III: The Messiah Complex”:

“Unconditional Artificial Chemistry” (06:09)
“The Messiah Complex” (06:48)
“Broken Souls, Common Enemies” (08:45)
“A Dark Poem - Orchestral Suite” (16:47)

Total runtime: 38:31

Album lineup:

Kjetil Nordhus — Vocals
Stein Roger Sordal — Bass, rhythm guitars, lead guitars, keyboards
Bjørn Harstad — Lead guitars, effects
Endre Kirkesola — Keyboards, synthesizers, organs, effects
Jonathan Alejandro Perez — Drums

Guest musicians:

Ingrid Ose — Flute on “Broken Souls, Common Enemies”
Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Opera Choir — “A Dark Poem - Orchestral Suite”

“The Messiah Complex” single is now available through the band’s official channels.

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