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.
Violet Dawning
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Used to watch from afar
Sensing the violence of morning
And breathing..And waiting for nothing
Devouring the spirit, grinding the heart
There are good things in the burning fields
There's peace in the slaughtered flesh
There's life in the frozen seeds
I'll dream in the deserts
And comfort the thirst for seeing
The violet dawn in the distance
Beckons me to steal its light
I'll wait for you here
I'll wait for you here
I'll wait for you here
I'll wait for you here
The lyrics to Enslaved's song "Violet Dawning" are a reflection of someone who has accepted their place in the darkness. The song begins with the singer identifying themselves as being a part of the darkness, watching from afar and waiting for nothing. They explain how they are consumed by the darkness - devouring the spirit and grinding the heart. However, even in the midst of the darkness, there are good things, including peace in the slaughtered flesh and life in the frozen seeds.
The singer then speaks of their desire to dream in the deserts and comfort the thirst for seeing. The violet dawn in the distance calls to them, beckoning them to steal its light. The repetition of "I'll wait for you here" at the end of the song suggests that the singer is content to remain in the darkness, waiting for whatever comes next.
Overall, the lyrics to "Violet Dawning" suggest a sense of acceptance of the darkness, while still acknowledging the beauty that can be found within it. The singer is not afraid of the darkness, but rather finds comfort in it and sees potential for growth and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
I am part of the darkness
I am one with the shadows and obscurity
Used to watch from afar
I used to observe from a distance
Sensing the violence of morning
Feeling the brutality that comes with the break of day
And breathing..And waiting for nothing
Breathing in the nothingness and waiting without purpose
Devouring the spirit, grinding the heart
Conquering the soul and crushing emotions
There are good things in the burning fields
Amidst destruction and chaos, there is still beauty and goodness to be found
There's peace in the slaughtered flesh
Even in death, there can be tranquility and release
There's life in the frozen seeds
The potential for growth and vitality exists within the dormant and lifeless
I'll dream in the deserts
I will escape reality and find solace in my imagination
And comfort the thirst for seeing
I will soothe the desire to witness and experience
The violet dawn in the distance
The alluring and mystical sight of a distant purple sunrise
Beckons me to steal its light
Urges me to take possession of its brilliance
I'll wait for you here
I will remain in this place of emptiness, anticipating your arrival
I'll wait for you here
I will stay steadfast and patient in this void
I'll wait for you here
I will hold vigil and not falter in my commitment to waiting
I'll wait for you here
I will abide patiently in this hollow, awaiting your arrival
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ivar Peersen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eon14873
i love the juxtaposition between the harsh angular section and the warm, earthy parts. magic
@ponrix
this song made me fan for life.
@Entr0per
2:47 that's the same image i have in my head every single time i listen to this song i dont know how did you do it but... hell of a good job! it also chilled every single part of my body now i believe in magic, tnx
@PedanticTwit
Indeed. I love how Bounded By Allegiance doesn't end, and instead simply stops, unresolved. Other than that, Isa is an amazing track, as is Neogenesis.
@muxz
No matter what song you love on the album, ISA rules plain and simple. Want proof? there is a cat directly behind me named ISA. Nothing will ever equal this masterpiece.
@waffenfrieden
an amazing song... Enslaved Rules!!
@Lugburz666
My favourite of this album
@Lunacyk
Love this song. 1st heard it on the Candlelight sampler I got with my Darkthrone album.
@Metal1998
My fav Enslaved song
@vagner_tenzen
Simplesmente amo essa música carai