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.
Homebound
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will see beyond the false torches
The howling will guide us
Walking the plains between worlds
When houses fall
I will be the pillar in the hail
Unmoving we travel
When the chains are broken
I will watch the sunset of the gods
As we fall we stand still
Revealing secrets of the past
When it ends
I will know the way to the portal
We shall descend again
Moving in circular infinity
When
When gold blinds
When houses fall
When the chains are broken
When
When it ends
The lyrics to Enslaved's song "Homebound" contain mystical and metaphorical imagery that reflects a journey of self-discovery and transcendence. The verses describe a state of heightened awareness, where the singer sees beyond superficiality ("gold blinds") and navigates through contrasting realms ("walking the plains between worlds"). The howling serves as a guide, perhaps symbolizing instinct or intuition leading the way.
The second verse speaks of strength and stability in the face of adversity ("pillar in the hail"), suggesting the ability to endure and remain rooted despite challenges. The mention of traveling across oceans in "mythological dreams" implies a connection to the collective unconscious, where archetypal stories and symbols reside.
The chorus alludes to a breaking of chains, signaling liberation and the opportunity to witness the "sunset of the gods." This could represent a moment of profound transformation or a departure from old belief systems.
The final lines suggest a simultaneous falling and standing still, which paradoxically reveals hidden truths from the past. It conveys the idea that sometimes it is in moments of descent or vulnerability that one gains the deepest insights.
Overall, "Homebound" speaks to the quest for knowledge, expansion of consciousness, and embracing the cyclical nature of existence. It urges listeners to break free from limitations and embark on a journey of self-discovery, where the answers lie within.
Line by Line Meaning
When gold blinds
When material wealth and success blind us
I will see beyond the false torches
I will see through deception and superficiality
The howling will guide us
The raw and primal instincts will lead us
Walking the plains between worlds
Navigating the space between different realities and dimensions
When houses fall
When structures of stability and comfort crumble
I will be the pillar in the hail
I will be the steadfast support amidst chaos and adversity
Unmoving we travel
Though static physically, we continue our journey
Crossing oceans in mythological dreams
Embarking on epic quests and transcending boundaries in our subconscious
When the chains are broken
When the shackles of oppression and bondage are shattered
I will watch the sunset of the gods
I will witness the downfall of those who hold power and divine status
As we fall we stand still
Even in moments of defeat, we remain resolute and steadfast
Revealing secrets of the past
Unveiling hidden knowledge and truths from history
When it ends
When everything comes to a close
I will know the way to the portal
I will understand how to transition to the next phase or realm
We shall descend again
We will embark on a new journey or cycle
Moving in circular infinity
Continuously flowing in an eternal cycle
When
In moments of uncertainty or transition
When gold blinds
When material wealth and success blind us
When houses fall
When structures of stability and comfort crumble
When the chains are broken
When the shackles of oppression and bondage are shattered
When
In moments of uncertainty or transition
When it ends
When everything comes to a close
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ivar Peersen, Iver Sandoy, Kjetil Grutle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DonTagliatelleRaviolli
@D D Videos have fuck all to do with bands, imo. They're somebody else's vision and they're just something that's been kind of compulsory for their record labels pr departments since about 1981.
They are for completely disregarding unless it is the only opportunity you have to hear a song.
I gave this subject some thought quite a long time ago.
Fuck 'pop videos'. I giveth practically no fuck about them and neither should any other real fan of a band's music.
Videos are for babies, arty farty pussies and retards (unless it's the only way you have to hear the song).
Fuck critiquing, reviewing and caring what is in them, too.
@adantun3961
ENSLAVED - Homebound:
When gold blinds
I will see beyond the false torches
The howling will guide us
Walking the plains between worlds
When houses fall
I will be the pillar in the hail
Unmoving, we travel
Crossing oceans in mythological dreams
When the chains are broken
I will watch the sunset of the gods
As we fall, we stand still
Revealing secrets of the past
When it ends
I will know the way to the portal
We shall descend again
Moving in circular infinity
When
When gold blinds
When houses fall
When the chains are broken
When it ends
@johnnnyh
The most underrated norwegian band ever. And the new drummer is awesome!
@ponrix
Their songs change directions and tempos so much. I love it. The songs evolve organically. True masters of songwriting.
@pbtdckqqkcdtbp9709
Per Diem ಹೆಂ ದುಸ್ರೆಂ ಹ್ಯಾ
@ivanivan5511
Awesome band
@seawitch4003
The drummer has an amazing voice! Wasn't expecting that!
@tony854
I dont know why but drummers somehow come out of nowhere and slap!
@returnedtomonkey8886
That drummer has 5 lungs i swear.
@JesseLacharite
These guys can literally do no wrong. One of the best metal bands ever, no one even comes close...the diversity of their discography is epic. Amazing!
@DDieva
however the video seriously sucks ass :D
@johnburke2151
Have to agree with both of you!