Enslaved was formed in 1991, by Ivar BjΓΈrnson 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, Enslavedβs 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 β95", and the first Norwegian Black / Extreme tour ever in the US, Canada and Mexico during β95. 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 (β98).
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) β 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!βs.
The new line-up recorded ISA during the autumn of 2004, and was released in Oct/Nov β04 (Feb β05 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 BjΓΈrnson - 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 HusebΓΈ (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 BolsΓΈ - drums (2003) - (ex-Blood Red Throne)
* Herbrand Larsen - keyboards, vocals (2004-2016)
* Γyvind 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 α, 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.
Vision: Sphere of the Elements
Enslaved Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enslaved by insanity
Enslaved by commitment to betrayal
Betrayed by all elements
My vision is clear and strong
I comfort myself to fulfil it
There exists no edge
I kill myself to fulfil my vision
Consumed by astral interference
I deny this monument to be my sphere
I choke this ego to find that i'm dead
I deny this monument to be my sphere
I will die as one
The lyrics of Enslaved's song "Vision: Sphere of the Elements" explore themes of disillusionment, insanity, betrayal, and a desperate pursuit of a clear vision. The singer in the song feels betrayed and enslaved by these conflicting elements. They feel trapped in a commitment to betrayal, unable to escape the cycle of disillusionment and insanity.
Despite this turmoil, the singer clings to their clear and strong vision, using it as a source of comfort and motivation. They reject the idea of limitations, believing that existence itself is fundamentally wrong. In a desperate attempt to fulfill their vision, the singer resolves to kill themselves, metaphorically sacrificing their own ego and identity to achieve their goals. They refuse to accept the monument of their own existence as their sphere, rejecting any sense of self-importance.
Ultimately, the singer declares their willingness to die as one, suggesting a surrender to the pursuit of their vision. This implies a willingness to sacrifice everything for their cause, embracing their fate, whatever it may be.
Overall, "Vision: Sphere of the Elements" delves into the conflicts and struggles faced by an individual driven by a single-minded vision, grappling with betrayal, disillusionment, and a desperate desire to fulfill their purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Betrayed by disillusion
Feeling betrayed by the loss of faith or shattered illusions
Enslaved by insanity
Imprisoned by one's own mental instability
Enslaved by commitment to betrayal
Trapped by the decision to deceive or betray others
Betrayed by all elements
Feeling betrayed or let down by all aspects of existence or nature
My vision is clear and strong
Having a clear and resolute purpose or goal
I comfort myself to fulfil it
Finding solace and motivation to achieve the vision
There exists no edge
Perceiving that there are no limits or boundaries
Clearly existence is wrong
Recognizing that life or existence itself is flawed
I kill myself to fulfil my vision
Sacrificing oneself to achieve the desired goal
Consumed by astral interference
Overwhelmed or affected by external influences or disturbances
I deny this monument to be my sphere
Rejecting the idea that any physical or symbolic monument defines one's purpose
I choke this ego to find that I'm dead
Suppressing one's ego or sense of self only to realize a lack of vitality or a metaphorical death
I deny this monument to be my sphere
Refusing to accept any single representation or embodiment as the ultimate purpose
I will die as one
Committing to the vision without compromising individuality, potentially leading to self-sacrifice
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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