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.
Veilburner
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who would have thought? It seems worthless.
There’s no end to the travesty, idiocy,
It would seem I’ve arrived at the meeting point
Between then and now, a different place
The past alive, and the future is now
I can not tolerate being held in the dark
Expanding light, from within a cube of darkness
I need to see, I will the flames
I found myself crawling, looking for an “out”
And made the gap no longer closed anymore
’cause my signs are burning, burning the veil
Killing our idols, scaring ourselves as well
Necessity, carer/killer
We’re all gonna see, we weren’t prepared
I can not tolerate being held in the dark
I need to see, I will the flames
Expanding light, from within a cube of darkness
I need to see, I will the flames
I found myself crawling, looking for an “out”
And made the gap no longer closed anymore
’cause my signs are burning, burning the veil
Killing our idols, scaring ourselves as well
Necessity, carer/killer
We’re all gonna see, we weren’t prepared
The lyrics to Enslaved's song Veilburner suggest a journey towards the truth, even though the truth may not provide a clear answer. The singer seems to have arrived at a "meeting point between then and now," suggesting a reflection on the past and present. However, the journey towards truth is not without its challenges. The line "no end to the travesty, idiocy" suggests frustration and perhaps even pain in the search for the truth.
Despite the challenges, the singer is determined to find the truth and no longer be "held in the dark." The repeated line "I need to see, I will the flames" suggests a desire to create light where there is darkness, and to burn away any obstacles in the way of the truth. The singer speaks of "killing our idols," which could refer to the need to let go of preconceived notions or beliefs in order to find the truth. The line "we're all gonna see, we weren't prepared" could suggest a realization that the truth may not align with what was previously believed, and that this realization may be difficult to accept.
Overall, the lyrics to Veilburner suggest a journey towards the truth that is not without its challenges and pain. The singer is determined to find the truth, even if it means letting go of previously held beliefs and accepting a difficult reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Finding the truth doesn’t mean there’s an answer
Discovering the truth doesn't guarantee an explanation.
Who would have thought? It seems worthless.
It's surprising how the truth can sometimes feel pointless.
There’s no end to the travesty, idiocy,
The world's afflictions and foolishness are boundless,
It would seem I’ve arrived at the meeting point
I've reached a place where past and present merge,
Between then and now, a different place
It's a place that's different from either the past or present alone,
The past alive, and the future is now
The past is still relevant, and the future is upon us.
I can not tolerate being held in the dark
I refuse to remain ignorant and blind,
I need to see, I will the flames
I crave enlightenment and will ignite the fire myself.
Expanding light, from within a cube of darkness
I want to expand my horizons and knowledge despite being surrounded by darkness.
I found myself crawling, looking for an “out”
I was once lost and desperate for escape.
And made the gap no longer closed anymore
But now, I've managed to break free.
’cause my signs are burning, burning the veil
My symbols of identity are ablaze, shattering the illusions and lies.
Killing our idols, scaring ourselves as well
We're killing our false gods and frightening even our own selves.
Necessity, carer/killer
The very things we need are often the same things that can harm us.
We’re all gonna see, we weren’t prepared
We'll all eventually face the consequences of our actions, even if we didn't anticipate them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Herbrand Larsen, Ivar Peersen, Iver Sandoy, Kjetil Grutle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrThrashmetal13
This song is just perfect! I seriously do not understand why even die hard fans are complaining. In Enslaved's later works such as RIITIIR and In Times, there is just so much more emotion and atmosphere being invoked and it really makes them a landmark band. Great stuff!
Gwendal Le Bihan
it's their perfect song !!!!
Marcel Saavedra
Este disco lo escuche cuando hicimos un viaje al sur de Chile, cerca de la cordillera, me evoca todos esos parajes tan hermosos y bellos del sur de Chile. Por fin los veré en vivo en unas semanas.
Corey Crossman
This whole album is god tier and brings out so much emotion end energy
Thomas Cargo
I write and record Black metal music! I don't play dress up,I don't worship satan or paint my face! Bands like Enslaved are musicians and they don't need gimmicks to get their point across! It's about time that this style of music expand and look for new ways to compose music! This new record and the last record are amazing nice job Enslaved!!
Jeremiah Preisser
Great band. They always put out quality material.
kalamay
This album always makes me happy. Every song is insanely good.
David Lucas
quando ta tudo desmoronando ao meu lado escuto essa musica, da uma ótima trilha sonora.
John19Morley93
Why has this not got more views? Love Enslaved! Great band with great amounts of talent.
MelindaHatebreeder
This is beautiful <3 I thought "Thoughts Like Hammers" was the best song of Riitiir, but this is just amazing <3