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.
Storre Enn Tid
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before the break of dawn
But I knew time
The horse hung from worn out straps
With ungreatfulness
Wipped into his eyes
But I pulled the plow myself
The peasant laid himself down on the fields
Neither plenty nor free - but I cleared new land
Growths withered, eternal oaths shattered
Colours faded, hearts froze cold
The noise silenced, but mine was victory and might
Larger than time - heavier than night
Mountains fell, forestgreen to black
Time turned to silence, water to sand
The sun went cold, gone all but one light
Larger than time - heavier than night
Days ended, and the stars died
Before the wanderers reached home
But I knew the way
Ships sunk with all warriors and heralds
Laid to rest in bottomless pits
But I spotted new and unknown shores
The gods suddenly aged
When the golden walls fell
But I gave them new powers
The lyrics of Enslaved's song Storre Enn Tid depicts an individual who has survived through numerous hardships and tribulations. The first verse of the song vividly describes a rooster that died just before dawn. However, despite this tragedy, the singer of the song knew well the concept of time. In the second verse of the song, an old horse hangs from worn-out straps, and its eyes display a sense of ingratitude. The master of the horse whipped it time and again, but in the end, it was the singer of the song who ended up pulling the plow all by himself. The third verse of the song describes a peasant who could not manage his land and had a tough time surviving. The singer of the song then stepped in, cleared new land and created a new start.
In the final verses of the song, Enslaved illustrates the significant contrast between the temporal and the mystical. The mountains collide, forests become dark, and even the sun ceases to give warmth. Still, the singer of the song keeps on going, undaunted by the darkness that engulfs him. Every element of nature around him begins to fade, but he maintains his strength, his courage, and his victory. He moves towards greater things, even as time stands still. The last verse emphasizes the power of the singer as he dares to explore new and unknown shores. Despite the subjugation of gods and the downfall of their golden walls, he creates new boundaries and breathes new life into them.
Interesting facts:
Line by Line Meaning
The rooster fell dead in the dust
Despite nature's warnings, death can come unexpectedly.
Before the break of dawn
Even though we expect the dawn to bring new beginnings, life can end before it even has the chance to begin.
But I knew time
Time can be unpredictable, but we still need to recognize and respect its power.
The horse hung from worn out straps
When we abuse others, we become responsible for their suffering.
With ungreatfulness
Not showing appreciation for what we have can lead to neglect and mistreatment of others.
Wipped into his eyes
Violence can have lasting effects on those who experience it.
But I pulled the plow myself
We need to take responsibility for our own actions and work hard to make things better.
The peasant laid himself down on the fields
Life can be difficult, but we can find purpose and meaning by working towards something greater.
Neither plenty nor free - but I cleared new land
In difficult circumstances, we can still find ways to create something new and valuable for ourselves and others.
Growths withered, eternal oaths shattered
The promises of life can come crumbling down, leaving us feeling lost and hopeless.
Colours faded, hearts froze cold
The beauty and warmth of life can be taken away, leaving us with an empty feeling.
The noise silenced, but mine was victory and might
In the face of adversity, we can find victory within ourselves, despite the silence of the outside world.
Larger than time - heavier than night
Our inner strength and resilience can overcome the weight of the world and even time itself.
Mountains fell, forestgreen to black
The world can be unpredictable and chaotic, leading to destruction and decay.
Time turned to silence, water to sand
The unstoppable force of time can take away everything we hold dear, leaving us with nothing but emptiness.
The sun went cold, gone all but one light
Even in the darkest of times, there can be a glimmer of hope that keeps us going.
Days ended, and the stars died
Life can come to an end, no matter how bright and beautiful it may have been.
Before the wanderers reached home
We may not always be able to find a sense of belonging or comfort in life, even when we seek it out.
But I knew the way
Despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, we must have faith in ourselves and trust in our own sense of direction.
Ships sunk with all warriors and heralds
Even those who seem invincible can fall victim to fate and the unpredictability of life.
Laid to rest in bottomless pits
When we lose those we care about, it can feel like they have disappeared into darkness and emptiness forever.
But I spotted new and unknown shores
Despite the pain and loss of life, there is always potential for new beginnings and discoveries.
The gods suddenly aged
Even the most powerful and respected figures can become vulnerable and weakened over time.
When the golden walls fell
The things we value most in life can be taken away or destroyed without warning.
But I gave them new powers
When faced with loss and destruction, we can find new ways to empower ourselves and others, and make something good out of tragedy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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