History Music / Enslaved

** "Frost", "Audhumla: Birth of the Worlds", "Yggdrasil", "Hollow Inside", "Axioma", and "Norvegr" play this straight, although the former two are intros.

* LoudnessWar: Most of their albums are affected pretty badly on CD, although many of the vinyl editions have averted this (''RIITIIR'', for example, is pristine on vinyl; similarly, the vinyl of ''Vertebrae'' has [=DR12=] to the CD's [=DR6=], although the latter still clips slightly).

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: ''Hordanes Land'' and ''Vikingligr Veldi'' have much average song length than any of Enslaved's following records, including their ProgressiveMetal ones. Additionally, the lyrics of ''Vikingligr Veldi'' (as well as the album title) are mostly in Icelandic, with the fourth track being in ancient Norwegian; most of Enslaved's lyrics on the following four albums would be in modern Norwegian, and after that English.

* LoudnessWar: Most of their albums are affected pretty badly on CD, although many of the vinyl editions have averted this (''RIITIIR'', for example, is pristine on vinyl; similarly, the vinyl of ''Vertebrae'' has [=DR12=] to the CD's [=DR6=]).

** "Frost", "Audhumla: Birth of the Worlds", "Yggdrasil", "Hollow Inside", and "Axioma" play this straight, although the former two are intros.

** "As Fire Swept Clean the Earth", "A Darker Place", "Neogenesis", "Havenless", "Større enn tid - Tyngre enn natt", "Convoys to Nothingness", and about half the songs on their more recent albums are subversions, as they start out quite serenely and (generally) eventually proceed into blasting black metal complete with the requisite CarefulWithThatAxe.

** "As Fire Swept Clean the Earth", "A Darker Place", "Neogenesis", "Større enn tid - Tyngre enn natt", and about half the songs on their more recent albums are subversions, as they start out quite serenely and (generally) eventually proceed into blasting black metal complete with the requisite CarefulWithThatAxe.

** "Frost", "Audhumla: Birth of the Worlds", "Yggdrasil" and "Axioma" play this straight, although the former two are intros.

Enslaved are a BlackMetal and ProgressiveMetal band from Norway. Well-known for their interest in Norse paganism, their philosophically-inclined lyrics, their [[EpicRocking long, complicated songs]] and their old habit of dressing up in Viking armor for photo shoots and concerts (they haven't done it in a long while, but they are kinda remembered for it). Their music is characterized by the aforementioned long songs, a combination of HarshVocals and more melodic singing, ProgressiveRock touches (like keyboards, quiet parts and numerous tempo/time signature changes in many of the longer songs) and a strong Norwegian folk music influence. They're generally regarded as the [[TropeCodifier second-most influential]] Viking Metal band in history (after Music/{{Bathory}}, [[TropeMaker who invented it]], and the ones responsible for much of its current definition.

* HornyVikings: they used to dress like them on stage. Mostly [[AvertedTrope averted]] with their lyrics though, which tend to either retell Norse myths or extrapolate from them in more philosophical or mystical ways.
* LongRunnerLineup: hasn't changed in almost a decade.

* MindScrew: arguably some of their weirder lyrics - almost like if {{Tool}} developed an interest in NorseMythology.

* NorseMythology: common subject matter in their lyrics, though more recent albums have tended to treat the subject more esoterically...
* OneOfUs: there's an interview somewhere online where they express an interest in ''Franchise/StarTrek'' and other sci-fi shows.
* ProgressiveMetal: especially on the later albums, but it's always been there.
* RevolvingDoorBand: for the first decade or so they kept losing drummers. The lineup's been the same since '04 though.
* ShowTheirWork: they REALLY know their NorseMythology.

* LoudnessWar: Most of their albums are affected pretty badly on CD, although many of the vinyl editions have averted this (''RIITIIR'', for example, is pristine on vinyl).

For the recording of their next album, ''Blodhemn'', the drummer's hot seat was occupied by the oddly-nicknamed Dirge Rep. Around this time they also added a second guitarist, Roy Kronheim. ''Blodhemn'' differed from previous releases mostly due to its cleaner, heavier-sounding production (by Peter Tägtgren, of Hypocrisy fame). Their next album, ''Mardraum'', was something of a change in sound for the band - they began to write more complex songs, with more tempo and time changes than before. The next album, ''Monumension'', took things even further, with the ProgressiveRock influence even more prominent and with the lyrics now in English to boot! [[BrokenBase This pissed off a few hardcore fans]], but brought in a lot of new fans as well, and the change was mostly well-received. Around this time, they added second guitarist Arve Isdal.

For the recording of their next album, ''Blodhemn'', the drummer's hot seat was occupied by the oddly-nicknamed Dirge Rep. ''Blodhemn'' differed from previous releases mostly due to its cleaner, heavier-sounding production (by Peter Tägtgren, of Hypocrisy fame). Their next album, ''Mardraum'', was something of a change in sound for the band - they began to write more complex songs, with more tempo and time changes than before. The next album, ''Monumension'', took things even further, with the ProgressiveRock influence even more prominent and with the lyrics now in English to boot! [[BrokenBase This pissed off a few hardcore fans]], but brought in a lot of new fans as well, and the change was mostly well-received. Around this time, they added second guitarist Arve Isdal.

The next few albums continued in the same general vein as ''Monumension'', save for adding a keyboardist and second vocalist (Herbrand Larsen, who now performs most of the clean vocals) for ''Below the Lights'' and getting ''another'' new drummer (Cato Bekkevold) for ''Isa''. Ever since ''Isa'', the lineup has remained consistent, as has the quality and style of the band's work. They also appeared prominently in the ''Metal: A Headbanger's Journey'' documentary, exposing them to yet more fans.

* ''Yggdrasill EP'' (1992) (demo, later re-released as one half of a split with Satyricon in 1995)
* ''Hordanes Land EP'' (1993) (also released as a split with Music/{{Emperor}})

On their early albums, the lyrics were all in Norwegian, Icelandic and various old Norse dialects. As well, they tended to be more consistently brutal (with ''Frost'' being perhaps their most aggressive album). Their first release (other than the usual demos) was the ''Hordanes Land'' EP - three tracks of very primitive sounding BlackMetal with long (7-13 minutes each) songs and the odd synthesizer accent. It was [[UpdatedReRelease re-released]] a while later as a split with fellow BlackMetal band Music/{{Emperor}}. This more-or-less set the tone for their early albums - ''Vikingligr Veldi'', ''Frost'' and ''Eld'' - each of which contained epic-length songs and plenty of aggressiveness, with the occasional quiet part or keyboard to break up the hypnotic, blurry riffing. The most notable change in this period of the band's history is the departure of original drummer Trym for Music/{{Emperor}} after recording 1995's split EP with Satyricon and his replacement with Harald Helgeson, who only lasted long enough to tour and record ''Eld'' before leaving himself.

For the recording of their next album, ''Blodhemn'', the drummer's hot seat was occupied by the oddly-nicknamed Dirge Rep. ''Blodhemn'' differed from previous releases mostly due to its cleaner, heavier-sounding production (by Peter Tägtgren, of Hypocrisy fame). Their next album, ''Mardraum'', was something of a change in sound for the band- they began to write more complex songs, with more tempo and time changes than before. The next album, ''Monumension'', took things even further, with the ProgressiveRock influence even more prominent and with the lyrics now in English to boot! [[BrokenBase This pissed off a few hardcore fans]], but brought in a lot of new fans as well, and the change was mostly well-received. Around this time, they added second guitarist Arve Isdal.

* Herbrand Larsen, keyboards and programming (2004-present)

* ''Yggdrasill EP'' (1995) (one half of a split with Satyricon)

* ''[[NewSoundAlbum Mardraum- Beyond the Within]]'' (2000)

* MindScrew: arguably some of their weirder lyrics- almost like if {{Tool}} developed an interest in NorseMythology.

* NobodyLovesTheBassist: Averted- not only is Grutle the main vocalist and one of the band's songwriters, his bass is even audible fairly often (on some albums more than others, though).

On their early albums, the lyrics were all in Norwegian, Icelandic and various old Norse dialects. As well, they tended to be more consistently brutal (with Frost being perhaps their most aggressive album). Their first release (other than the usual demos) was the Hordanes land EP- three tracks of very primitive sounding BlackMetal with long (7-13 minutes each) songs and the odd synthesizer accent. It was [[UpdatedReRelease re-released]] a while later as a split with fellow BlackMetal band Music/{{Emperor}}. This more-or-less set the tone for their early albums - ''Vikingligr Veldi'', ''Frost'' and ''Eld'' - each of which contained epic-length songs and plenty of aggressiveness, with the occasional quiet part or keyboard to break up the hypnotic, blurry riffing. The most notable change in this period of the band's history is the departure of original drummer Trym for Music/{{Emperor}} after recording 1995's split EP with Satyricon and his replacement with Harald Helgeson, who only lasted long enough to tour and record ''Eld'' before leaving himself.

The next few albums continued in the same general vein as ''Monumension'', save for adding a keyboardist (Herbrand Larsen) for ''Below the Lights'' and getting ''another'' new drummer (Cato Bekkevold) for ''Isa''. Ever since ''Isa'', the lineup has remained consistent, as has the quality and style of the band's work. They also appeared prominently in the ''Metal: A Headbanger's Journey'' documentary, exposing them to yet more fans.

* IndecipherableVocals: Occasionally. Sometimes due to the above trope, sometimes due to clean or spoken word parts being low in the mix.

On their early albums, the lyrics were all in Norwegian, Icelandic and various old Norse dialects. As well, they tended to be more consistently brutal (with Frost being perhaps their most aggressive album). Their first release (other than the usual demos) was the Hordanes land EP- three tracks of very primitive sounding BlackMetal with long (7-13 minutes each) songs and the odd synthesizer accent. It was [[UpdatedReRelease re-released]] a while later as a split with fellow BlackMetal band Music/{{Emperor}}. This more-or-less set the tone for their early albums- Vikingligr Veldi, Frost and Eld- each of which contained epic-length songs and plenty of aggressiveness, with the occasional quiet part or keyboard to break up the hypnotic, blurry riffing. The most notable change in this period of the band's history is the departure of original drummer Trym for Music/{{Emperor}} after recording 1995's split EP with Satyricon and his replacement with Harald Helgeson, who only lasted long enough to tour and record Eld before leaving himself.

For the recording of their next album, Blodhemn, the drummer's hot seat was occupied by the oddly-nicknamed Dirge Rep. Blodhemn differed from previous releases mostly due to its cleaner, heavier-sounding production (by Peter Tatgren, of Hypocrisy fame). Their next album, Monumension, was something of a change in sound for the band- they began to write more complex songs, with more tempo and time changes than before. The next album took things even further, with the ProgressiveRock influence even more prominent and with the lyrics now in English to boot! [[BrokenBase This pissed off a few hardcore fans]], but brought in a lot of new fans as well, and the change was mostly well-received. Around this time, they added second guitarist Arve Isdal.

The next few albums continued in the same general vein as Monumension, save for adding a keyboardist (Herbrand Larsen) for Below the Lights and getting [i]another[i] new drummer (Cato Bekkevold) for Isa. Ever since Isa, the lineup has remained consistent, as has the quality and style of the band's work. They also appeared prominently in the Metal: A Headbanger's Journey documentary, exposing them to yet more fans.

Their most recent album was RIITIIR (2012). In short, Enslaved have been around for more than two decades now, and continue to deliver [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome some pretty awesome]] work.

* EpicRiff: A few, especially on more recent albums. "Havenless" "Isa" and "Return to Yggdrasill" are some good examples. The first is also an EarWorm.

* OneOfUs: there's an interview somewhere online where they express an interest in Franchise/StarTrek and other sci-fi shows.

* OneOfUs: there's an interview somewhere online where they express an interest in StarTrek and other sci-fi shows.

* NobodyLovesTheBassist: Averted- not only is Grutle the main vocalist and one of the band's songwriters, his bass is even audible fairly often (on som e albums more than others, though).

* ''Blodhemn'' (1998) (means "

The next few albums continued in the same general vein as Monumension, save for adding a keyboardist (Herbrand Larsen) for Below the Lights and getting [i]another[/i] new drummer (Cato Bekkevold) for Isa. Ever since Isa, the lineup has remained consistent, as has the quality and style of the band's work. They also appeared prominently in the Metal: A Headbanger's Journey documentary, exposing them to yet more fans.

* MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness: 9 or 10 most of the time, though they do have the occasional song that drops to 8. Also, they have numerous synth intros that would be a 1. And, of course, the rules go completely out the window with their longest and most complex songs, much like with {{Opeth}}...

{{http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Enslaved_9609.jpeg}}

On their early albums, the lyrics were all in Norwegian, Icelandic and various old Norse dialects. As well, they tended to be more consistently brutal (with Frost being perhaps their most aggressive album). Their first release (other than the usual demos) was the Hordanes land EP- three tracks of very primitive sounding BlackMetal with long (7-13 minutes each) songs and the odd synthesizer accent. It was [[UpdatedReRelease re-released]] a while later as a split with fellow BlackMetal band Music/{{Emperor}}. This more-or-less set the tone for their early albums- Vikingligr Veldi, Frost and Eld- each of which contained epic-length songs and plenty of brutality, with the occasional quiet part or

* ''Hordanes Land EP'' (1993)

* ''Blodhemn'' (1998)

{{static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Enslaved_9609.jpeg}}

static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Enslaved_9609.jpeg

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Kyuss.jpg

On their early albums, the lyrics were all in Norwegian, Icelandic and various old Norse dialects. As well, they tended to be more consistently brutal (with Frost being perhaps their most aggressive album).

* Ivar Bjornson (1991-present)
* Grutle Kjellson (1991-present)
*
*
*
*
*

* ''
* ''
* ''
* ''

* PrgressiveMetal: especially on the later albums, but it's always been there.

Enslaved are a BlackMetal and ProgressiveMetal band from Norway. Well-known for their interest in Norse paganism, their philosophically-inclined lyrics, their [[EpicRocking long, complicated songs]] and formed in Norway back in 1991 by Ivar Bjornson and Grutle Kjellson (also known as Kjetil Grutle). Their name was taken from an early {{Immortal}} demo track, "Enslaved in Rot".

*