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.
793
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beautiful ships gushed through the sea
Like a wind from the north,
Our ancestors reached the shore
Men from Hordaland, Rogaland and Adger
Gathered for battle in common
Proud men with no fear
Strokes from the sword crushed the skull of the christian
Many battles we won, at the shores of Midgard
But, betrayed by our own brothers
We were forced down on our knees
Now when the wind once again is howling
The thoughts finally goes towards home
We shall rise in our glory
The white horde will for sure shiver
"We died like men
Therefore we never vanished
Weak is the one the enemy loves
Never betray your origin"
Åretak hørtes, vakre langskip fosset frem
Som en vind fra nord, kom våre fedre i land
Horder, Ryger og Egder, samlet til felles strid
Staute menn uten frykt
Sverdslag knuste kristmanns skalle
Lenge herkset vi, Nordens konger
Mange slag vi vant ved Midgards strender
Men, sveket av våre enge, ble vi tvunget ned i kne
Når vinden nå igjen jager, vender tankene omsider hjem
Vi skal reise oss i vår prakt
Sannelig skal kvitehorden skjelve
"Vi falt som menn
Derfor døde vi ei hen
Veik er den som fiender elsker
Svik ei ditt opphav"
The lyrics to Enslaved's song '793' narrate the arrival of Viking ancestors on British soil and their subsequent confrontation with the Christian people. The verse initially describes the Viking boats, symbolizing power and strength, and the sound produced by the oars, suggesting the readiness for the impending battle. The Vikings, hailing from Hordaland, Rogaland, and Adger, join hands to fight together, boasting about their pride and fearlessness. In the battle, the Vikings overtake the Christians, and their swords crush the enemy's skull, establishing their dominance.
The next section shifts towards a time when the Vikings had ruled over most of the north, winning battles at Midgard's shores. However, their own brothers betrayed them, and they were forced to kneel. With the wind howling, the Vikings' thoughts return to their homes, and they vow to rise in their glory once more. The song's final lines emphasize the importance of dying with honor and never betraying one's origin.
Overall, '793' by Enslaved is a tribute song to Viking ancestors, their strength, and their undying spirit. The lyrics interpret the Viking's courage and bravery in battles and the need to preserve their legacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Strokes from oars could be heard,
The sound of rowing could be heard as the ships moved through the water
Beautiful ships gushed through the sea
The ships were awe-inspiring as they traversed the sea
Like a wind from the north,
The arrival of our ancestors was sudden and powerful, like a strong gust of wind from the north
Our ancestors reached the shore
The brave ancestors succeeded in reaching the land from the treacherous waters
Men from Hordaland, Rogaland and Adger
Brave men from these regions gathered for battle
Gathered for battle in common
They came together with a common goal to fight
Proud men with no fear
These men were bold and fearless warriors
Strokes from the sword crushed the skull of the christian
The Christian enemy was vanquished by the warriors of the north
A long time we ruled, kings of the north
For a considerable time, we wielded power as the kings of the northern lands
Many battles we won, at the shores of Midgard
The warriors of the north won numerous battles at the shores of Midgard
But, betrayed by our own brothers
Tragically, we were betrayed by our own kin
We were forced down on our knees
As a result of treachery, we were brought to our knees
Now when the wind once again is howling
As the wind once again picks up, we are reminded of our home
The thoughts finally goes towards home
Our minds are consumed with thoughts of returning home
We shall rise in our glory
We are determined to rise again in our full power and splendor
The white horde will for sure shiver
Our enemies will tremble in fear at the might of the white horde
"We died like men
"We fell in battle as valiant warriors
Therefore we never vanished
Our presence and legacy will always remain
Weak is the one the enemy loves
Those who betray their own kind are weak and easily manipulated by the enemy
Never betray your origin"
It is important to always stay true to one's roots and honor their heritage
Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.