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.
Sacred Horse
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Along the path I laid
Saw it race by
Memories in tow
Into the belly of the earth
Light of dawn, all alone
Wounded, burned and without site
Not waiting for another night
Now headed for the wild
Called from afar and within – through soil
Leaving lost wars behind
Wildfires of need, calm waters of the mind – through thought
Battle cries now resounded
On a field at the world's end
A clash of gods and giants
In the centre of the mind
Through emotion
Through reality
Saw a mound
Had to bury
Sung for another me
Had to do (it), so that I could be
One for sight
Two for flesh
Three were the norns
Four corners of the worlds
Five the number of a man
Six one two and three
Seven streams of blood
Eight-legged child of Loke
The lyrics of Enslaved's song "Sacred Horse" delve into a journey of self-discovery and transformation, weaving intricate imagery and symbolic language to convey a profound narrative. The opening lines set the stage for the singer's odyssey, as they traverse through different realms and elements, both physically and metaphorically. The mention of memories trailing behind emphasizes the weight of past experiences shaping the present trajectory.
As the narrative progresses, the theme of rebirth and renewal emerges through stark contrasts of light and darkness, symbolized by the "Light of dawn" and "Char-like shadows." The singer confronts their wounds and burn scars, metaphorically moving towards a new beginning while shedding the remnants of the past. The urgency to move forward and not linger in the night suggests a sense of determination and purpose driving the journey.
The lyrics then shift towards a deeper exploration of inner conflicts and spiritual awakening, as the singer is beckoned towards the untamed wilderness. The imagery of "wildfires of need, calm waters of the mind" encapsulates the juxtaposition of chaos and tranquility within the self, hinting at a transformative inner struggle that needs resolution. The mention of leaving behind "lost wars" signifies a willingness to let go of past battles and embrace a newfound sense of clarity.
The final verses of the song introduce mythological elements and references to Norse cosmology, invoking ancient symbols and deities to enrich the lyrical tapestry. The clash of "gods and giants" in the singer's mind symbolizes external and internal conflicts coming to a head, reflecting a mythic struggle for dominance and enlightenment. The enumeration of numbers and symbolic figures, such as the "Eight-legged child of Loke," adds layers of mysticism and depth to the narrative, inviting listeners to decipher the esoteric meanings hidden within the verses. Overall, "Sacred Horse" by Enslaved stands as a multi-faceted reflection on personal transformation, spiritual growth, and the eternal quest for self-discovery.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ivar Peersen, Iver Sandoy, Kjetil Grutle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
evilbogart
Lyrics:
Through air
Along the path I laid
Saw it race by
Memories in tow
Into the belly of the earth
Light of dawn, all alone
Char-like shadows, slither away – through water
Wounded, burned and without site
Not waiting for another night
Now headed for the wild
Called from afar and within – through soil
Leaving lost wars behind
Wildfires of need, calm waters of the mind – through thought
Battle cries now resounded
On a field at the world's end
A clash of gods and giants
In the centre of the mind
Through emotion
Through reality
Saw a mound
Had to bury
Sung for another me
Had to do (it), so that I could be
One for sight
Two for flesh
Three were the norns
Four corners of the worlds
Five the number of a man
Six one two and three
Seven streams of blood
evilbogart
Lyrics:
Through air
Along the path I laid
Saw it race by
Memories in tow
Into the belly of the earth
Light of dawn, all alone
Char-like shadows, slither away – through water
Wounded, burned and without site
Not waiting for another night
Now headed for the wild
Called from afar and within – through soil
Leaving lost wars behind
Wildfires of need, calm waters of the mind – through thought
Battle cries now resounded
On a field at the world's end
A clash of gods and giants
In the centre of the mind
Through emotion
Through reality
Saw a mound
Had to bury
Sung for another me
Had to do (it), so that I could be
One for sight
Two for flesh
Three were the norns
Four corners of the worlds
Five the number of a man
Six one two and three
Seven streams of blood
Martiño Lopez Castro
This is one of these song i will still headbanging in 2050 instant classic
Jay T
This song is AMAZING.
Rabin Upakerti Rana
This sounds like a progressive black metal version of Paint it Black
Mr.Mysterious Crazy Man
Yeeessss more Enslaved. Best band alive. Brutaliful music.
Finn Dahuman
'brutaliful' haha i like that. good description
Jotto999
Upvoted for "Brutaliful". Great description of what I'm looking for in metal.
Alex Oromendia
About vikings and horses:
It was November of the year 844 when Emir Abd al-Rahman managed to mobilize an army worthy of the name and confront them. By the time it reached the Sevillian Aljarafe region, the desolation was obvious. In a first phase began to lash with the cavalry and infantry to their enemies who would completely disconcert. The Viking horde had no horses and their equestrian knowledge was practically nil. In the confrontations that took place in later days the cavalry of the emir would devastate the Nordics. The underside of hell would fall on these rough warrior-explorers. The umma (community of Muslims) could breathe for some time.
From those basins with their empty eyes, finally the Normans would contemplate with eternity the tranquility
General Ibn Rustum ordered the fulminating beheading of the surviving prisoners in view of their comrades. A thousand of them were buried alive with their heads in the air and the Almohad cavalry was ordered to gallop repeatedly on this peculiar field. More than thirty ships captured would burn without remission. Some severed heads would support large candles that would illuminate during the agape with which the winner would be honored. All the palm trees of Seville were profusely decorated for the occasion with more than five hundred heads reminding the Sevillians that the horror had come to an end. From those basins with their empty eyes, the Normans would finally contemplate eternity calmly.
Never again would be documented in Al-Andalus more strandhógg, as they called in their language these campaigns of looting.
Jitse Schregardus
Amazing
Mr Cleglaw
That evil laugh!