Enslaved was formed in 1991, by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson. Joined by drummer Trym Torsson, they did their first demo in the summer of 1992. While working with the first full length, there came a call from England, resulting in the two 1993 legendary mini albums; Hordanes Land and Emperor These two mini-albums was released as a split-record "Emperor/Hordanes Land". Due to tragic circumstances, Enslaved’s debut album Vikingligr Veldi was held back until the spring of 1994. Enslaved moved their label base to French Osmose Productions, and Frost were released late in the 1994. Enslaved were now known outside the Black / Extreme circles of Northern Europe. This led to the "Winter War Europe Tour ‘95", and the first Norwegian Black / Extreme tour ever in the US, Canada and Mexico during ’95. The tours were a great success; but Trym Torson moved on to join Emperor as a drummer.
Eld was recorded with drummer Harald Helgeson in 1996, and released the year after. However, working with Harald was no permanent solution, so Dirge Rep (then Gehenna) and R. Kronheim were hired, becoming integral parts during the recording of Blodhemn (’98).
Enslaved released an important milestone in 2000 with Mardraum: Beyond the Within, which marked a turning point for the band; and sent shock waves through the Extreme Metal scene with a revolutionary experimental and innovative approach to their genre. The band kept adding fuel to the fire, and released Monumension in 2001, and again the band was shocked to see the positive response to their "no rules" approach to Extreme Metal. Gigs were still being played in Norway, Europe and the States, in front of a faithful and ever increasing audience.
After returning from the UK in March 2002, R. Kronheim had to leave the band. The band kept on working with new material, in which they now saw a synthesis between the original thesis (the "Blacker" Enslaved) and the anti-thesis forming from Mardraum onwards (the experimental, progressive and gloomier Enslaved) – Below the Lights was recorded in 2002 and released the year after, and presented the perfect blend of power, tradition, progressive elements and dark psychedelia. The process and hard work had taken its toll on drummer Dirge, and he left the band.
A new line-up were put together during and after the recording of Below the Lights, including old-timer Cato Bekkevold (Red Harvest founder), Arve Isdal (aka. Ice Dale) and Herbrand Larsen. With all the changes left behind, Enslaved reached new heights with their live performance, also adding strong visual elements in the shape of video art and more. English market leader Kerrang! rewarded their Inferno 2004 performance with a full house: 5 K!’s.
The new line-up recorded ISA during the autumn of 2004, and was released in Oct/Nov ’04 (Feb ’05 in the US). The album received raving reviews in all territories (except Finland obviously), and put Enslaved at the very forefront of contemporary Extreme Metal. A European Tour with fellow Norsemen Vreid took place in February and March 2005. The tour was rewarded with both great reviews and great turnouts. In absentia, during the tour, Enslaved also received both the Norwegian Grammy and the independent Alarm Price for ISA.
The band released the full length album Ruun in 2006, which received great critics world wide and Enslaved received the Norwegian Grammy (Metal) for the second time in a row. Ruun is an extreme progressive metal record with growl-vocals and quite different from the bands first records.
Enslaved released the album Vertebrae in 2008, which gained wide critical acclaim, including Terrorizer Magazine's album of the year and critic's choice album of the year award for 2008. Many of their techniques on the album, particularly harmonies, have been compared to Pink Floyd
Although the band now records in English, their early songs were mostly recorded in Icelandic or Old Norse, with one track on their first full-length album being performed in ancient Norwegian. Lyrics from Frost to Mardraum were mainly in their native Norwegian. Most of their lyrics relate to Norse mythology or history.
They have also recorded a collaboration with the Norwegian noise duo Fe-Mail, under the name Trinacria.
Current members:
* Ivar Bjørnson - guitar, keyboards (1991-) - (Desekrator, ex-Borknagar, ex-Phobia, Obnoxious, ex-Gorgoroth (as "Daimonion"), live session guitar for Taake)
* Grutle Kjellson - bass, vocals (1991-) - (Desekrator, ex-Phobia, guest for V:28, Insanity)
* Arve Isdal - guitar (2002-) - (Malignant Eternal, Audrey Horne, I)
* Cato Bekkevold - drums (2003-) - (Demonic, ex-Ashes to Ashes , Sirius, ex-Red Harvest, Dunkelheit)
* Hakon Vinje - keyboards, vocals (2017-)
Former members:
* Trym Torson (Kai Johnny Mosaker) - drums (1991-1995) - (Emperor, Zyklon, Imperium, Tartaros, Shadow Season, Paganize)
* Richard Kronheim - guitar (1997-2002) - (ex-Subtitles, ex-St. Satan, ex-Kliftones, ex-Desekrator)
* Per Husebø (aka. Dirge Rep) - drums (1997-2002) - (Gehenna, Orcustus, Gorgoroth, ex-122 Stab Wounds, Desspo Hallelujah, Neetzach, ex-Aura Noir, Secht)
* Harald Magnus "Rivheim" Helgeson - drums (1995-1997) - (Thundra, Zeno Morf, ex-Dwelling Souls, session for Evig Natt)
* Freddy Bolsø - drums (2003) - (ex-Blood Red Throne)
* Herbrand Larsen - keyboards, vocals (2004-2016)
* Øyvind Madsen - keyboards (live only) - (Sulphur, Vulture Industries, live for Black Hole Generator)
Discography:
Full-Length Albums:
1994 - Vikingligr Veldi
1994 - Frost
1997 - Eld
1998 - Blodhemn
2000 - Mardraum: Beyond the Within
2001 - Monumension
2003 - Below the Lights
2004 - Isa
2006 - Ruun
2008 - Vertebrae
2010 - Axioma Ethica Odini
2012 - RIITIIR
2015 - In Times
2017 - E (note that the official title of the album is actually the Elder Futhark rune ᛖ, or Ehwaz, which looks like the roman letter M, but the album title is often written as E for simplicity, including in official sources)
Demos:
1991 - Nema
1992 - Yggdrasill
Splits:
1994 - Emperor/Hordanes Land (split with Emperor)
Live albums:
2009 - Live at the Rock Hard Festival
2017 - Roadburn Live
DVDs:
Enslaved also has two DVD releases, primarily consisting of concert footage.
2003 - Live Retaliation
2005 - Return to Yggdrasill
Trivia:
* Grutle Kjellson and Cato Bekkevold are avid sport fishing enthusiasts; in fact, the two met at a related event.
* The band's song Havenless from Below the Lights was featured in the film "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey".
* The band were also reported to have appeared in an episode of the American cartoon series South Park, but this later transpired to be a practical joke at the expense of the Norwegian press.
Álfablót
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winter can last for long
Show them honor
Servants of Frey
Let the blood flow
On his pride
Until they are pleased
To provide our magnificence and growth
Our king will show his wrath
If we do not honor our promise
Poor the harvest will be
Without seeds in earth
Don't spill the finest blood
Strong sons will not be born too often
"Oh, wise Volve when shall I get to see, fields of growth
When shall I once again feel the light touch from Freyas hands"
Death comes fast
If you do not honor
The people below
The friends of the Vanirs
Bring forth
The holy boar
Then the sun will still shine
And we can still breath
We didn't wish to die
We didn't wish to awake
The wrath of the elders
Bring forth the holy boar
The lyrics to Enslaved's song Alfablot explore the importance of sacrifice and honor in Norse mythology, particularly in relation to the god Frey and the Vanir people. The opening lines urge the listener to bring forth a sacrifice to appease the gods during the long winter months. The focus then shifts to the importance of honoring promises and agreements, with a warning that failure to do so will result in poor harvests and other negative consequences. The lyrics also reference the presence of wise "Volve," who can offer guidance and insight into the workings of the gods.
The idea of sacrifice is central to many pagan religions, and Norse mythology is no exception. In the context of the song, the sacrifice (in this case, a holy boar) is seen as a way to show respect and gratitude to the gods, and to ensure their continued favor. The lyrics also touch on the idea of death, both as a natural part of life and as a potential consequence of failing to honor the gods.
Overall, Alfablot is a powerful exploration of the themes of sacrifice, honor, and respect in the context of Norse mythology. It offers a glimpse into the complex worldview of ancient peoples, and reminds us of the importance of understanding and respecting different cultural traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring forth your sacrifice
Prepare to make your sacrifice
The winter can last for long
The season of winter can be very long
Show them honor
Demonstrate respect
Servants of Frey
Followers of the Norse god Frey
Let the blood flow
Allow the blood to spill
On his pride
To satisfy him
Until they are pleased
Until they are satisfied
To provide our magnificence and growth
To ensure our success and prosperity
Our king will show his wrath
Our ruler will become angry
If we do not honor our promise
If we do not keep our end of the bargain
Poor the harvest will be
The harvest will be meager
Without seeds in earth
If we don't sow seeds
Don't spill the finest blood
Do not waste the best blood
Strong sons will not be born too often
Healthy male children will not be conceived frequently
"Oh, wise Volve when shall I get to see, fields of growth
When shall I once again feel the light touch from Freyas hands"
"Oh, wise prophet, when will I see crops growing again and feel the nurturing touch of the goddess Freya?"
Death comes fast
Death can come quickly
If you do not honor
If you do not respect
The people below
Those beneath us
The friends of the Vanirs
Allies of the Norse gods
Bring forth
Present
The holy boar
The sacred animal
Then the sun will still shine
The sun will continue to shine
And we can still breath
And we can still live
We didn't wish to die
We did not want to die
We didn't wish to awake
We did not intend to disturb
The wrath of the elders
The rage of the older generation
Bring forth the holy boar
Present the sacred animal
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind