Written by Troy Killjoy on 28.03.2012 at 00:34

I think this is actually one of Enslaved's more simple albums. You pretty much know what you get after the first listen - it doesn't require a lot of effort because it's more or less straightforward in its somewhat progressive approach to black metal.

Its a simple album indeed. But the thing about this is the fact that it keeps getting better with each successive listen, and what daniell stated in the first paragraph of the review was clearly what i felt when i listened to it. And that might be the reason some people state that it requires more time and stuff like that. Imo It just might be that there are many subtle melodic fragments in between the riffs that sound better after one's ears are aquainted well with the riffs and choruses upon the first few listens.

I've been listening to this for months now and i find it to be the biggest strength of this entire album. And the incredible opening and closing tracks make it an outstanding album if not an instant classic.

Written by 3rdWorld on 28.03.2012 at 14:12

Its a simple album indeed. But the thing about this is the fact that it keeps getting better with each successive listen, and what daniell stated in the first paragraph of the review was clearly what i felt when i listened to it. And that might be the reason some people state that it requires more time and stuff like that. Imo It just might be that there are many subtle melodic fragments in between the riffs that sound better after one's ears are aquainted well with the riffs and choruses upon the first few listens.

I've been listening to this for months now and i find it to be the biggest strength of this entire album. And the incredible opening and closing tracks make it an outstanding album if not an instant classic.

I also found it an outstanding album and I didn't realize it after a few listens.
But some songs became really tiring after a while, I had to stop listening to it.

Written by Unhealer on 28.03.2012 at 17:35

I also found it an outstanding album and I didn't realize it after a few listens.
But some songs became really tiring after a while, I had to stop listening to it.

Indeed. Whenever i feel like getting back at this, tracks 1,3,7 and 9 are the ones i pick.

Written by 3rdWorld on 28.03.2012 at 18:36

Indeed. Whenever i feel like getting back at this, tracks 1,3,7 and 9 are the ones i pick.

Well, in my case I almost hate Lightening by now And that was the track that got me into this album (and Enslaved).
Ironically, at first I didn't really get into The Beacon and now it is probably my favorite. Such a groovy song.

Written by Unhealer on 28.03.2012 at 18:47

Well, in my case I almost hate Lightening by now And that was the track that got me into this album (and Enslaved).
Ironically, at first I didn't really get into The Beacon and now it is probably my favorite. Such a groovy song.

And like that we can go on to heap praise on our fav songs cuz this one is simply a mindblowing album.

Dammit i hav all their albums except the first four and i think i will start with Vertebrae tonight.

Written by 3rdWorld on 28.03.2012 at 18:36

Indeed. Whenever i feel like getting back at this, tracks 1,3,7 and 9 are the ones i pick.

Nice. I love track 4, my fav on the album!!

Fucking awesome

The atmosphere on this album is so brilliant and epic, and even the diverse nature of each song contributes to the Progressive side of this album. 'Night Sight' and 'Singular' are somehow relaxing yet still thrilling, and the opening forces of 'Ethica Odini' and marvellous closer 'Lightening' give a grandiose finish. It's surely one of the best metal albums since 2010, and most definitely one of the best Enslaved albums.

Just started listening to this album this week and after half a dozen listens, I'm very impressed. As a fan of prog rock, there is so much to love here. Very glad I decided to get this album. It's still growing on me so I'm hoping it has staying power.

Written by tea[m]ster on 28.03.2012 at 21:31

I love track 4, my fav on the album!!

Yeah, "The Beacon" is one of my favorites on this album too. It's very memorable and slightly hypnotic.

Written by Guest on 05.09.2012 at 14:52

Yeah, "The Beacon" is one of my favorites on this album too. It's very memorable and slightly hypnotic.

Yea man, it's very noteworthy, I mean, the song stands OUT = Riff-tastic!

Written by Ace Frawley on 05.09.2012 at 09:22

Just started listening to this album this week and after half a dozen listens, I'm very impressed. As a fan of prog rock, there is so much to love here. Very glad I decided to get this album. It's still growing on me so I'm hoping it has staying power.

I have been saying this forever: I am not a black metal fan AT ALL. I do like some bands that have sub-genres of BM in them like atmospheric black or blackened sludge. This is why I like Enslaved. Their music is filled with enough other ingrediants that keep me hooked.

Written by tea[m]ster on 07.09.2012 at 03:21

I have been saying this forever: I am not a black metal fan AT ALL. I do like some bands that have sub-genres of BM in them like atmospheric black or blackened sludge. This is why I like Enslaved. Their music is filled with enough other ingrediants that keep me hooked.

I think we might be on the same wavelength. This album doesn't strike me as a black metal album but feels like progressive rock (or progressive metal if you want to use that term). The rough vocals sound like the raspy-style that is common in black metal. The music itself definitely feels like prog rock to me. At times it reminded me a bit of the proggy stuff Mastodon have done. All things said and done, I think it is brilliant stuff, no matter how you want to define it. Probably the best album I've listened to this year.

Just rushed through some of their albums and I can really say this is good stuff. Can't wait to give these more detailed listens.

WOW. After just a few listens this has become one of my favorite black metal albums. I am definitely gonna have to check out their other albums sometime soon.

At first, I thought it was very good and I gave it a 9, but after listening to it few more times I changed my mind and gave it a perfect 10. But I do not think that this is a perfect album, it's just that this progressive black thing really works for me. Highly recommended for anyone, especially for those not into black metal.

A masterpiece! Still listen to this weekly.

Next mission: getting into enslaved
I listened to this album back in 2010 and remember enjoying it. Giving it another try today and I am completely blown away

Written by mz on 05.07.2013 at 14:59

Next mission: getting into enslaved
I listened to this album back in 2010 and remember enjoying it. Giving it another try today and I am completely blown away

Yep, getting into Enslaved is great fun. Incredible band. And this album is simply great - no doubt about it.

Written by Ace Frawley on 06.07.2013 at 01:03

Written by mz on 05.07.2013 at 14:59

Next mission: getting into enslaved
I listened to this album back in 2010 and remember enjoying it. Giving it another try today and I am completely blown away

Yep, getting into Enslaved is great fun. Incredible band. And this album is simply great - no doubt about it.

Isa is the next.
Now that opeth have moved out of extreme metal realm, enslaved can be my next favorite extreme prog band

Written by mz on 06.07.2013 at 01:58

Isa is the next.
Now that opeth have moved out of extreme metal realm, enslaved can be my next favorite extreme prog band

You won't be disappointed. For me, Enslaved are at the forefront of prog rock today.

Written by Ace Frawley on 06.07.2013 at 11:33

Written by mz on 06.07.2013 at 01:58

Isa is the next.
Now that opeth have moved out of extreme metal realm, enslaved can be my next favorite extreme prog band

You won't be disappointed. For me, Enslaved are at the forefront of prog rock today.

They are sure great band (I have gave some songs of Isa some listens and they are amazing) but calling them prog rock isn't a little inappropriate?

Written by mz on 06.07.2013 at 16:15

They are sure great band (I have gave some songs of Isa some listens and they are amazing) but calling them prog rock isn't a little inappropriate?

Okay, extreme prog rock then. I think the music is prog rock with harsh vocals. I wouldn't get too hung up on the terms though, as they have different meanings to different people. As long as we recognise that the music is brilliant and we love it then it doesn't matter what we call it.

I'm sure it's already been established somewhere, but that riff in the first track is godlike.

Giants is easily the most epic song on the album.

Nope. That might be Lightening.

^Agree with the above poster, listened to the album for the first time in a while; found I liked the album even more than I remembered doing previously, but my favourite song remains Lightening - just emphatic

Finally gotten around to buying this album after seeing a used copy at FYE. I can't believe I've been putting them off for so long (nothing bad about their music, just didn't feel that immediate attachment at first). It's a grower, but I think it's excellent, and it's convinced me to get more of their work in the future. Definitely needs some repeated listens, but I love what I hear, there are really no bad moments on here as far as I'm concerned. "Waruun" and "Night Sight" are a couple of my favorites.

In fact, fuck it, I literally can't think of anything bad or "meh" about this album, this is just amazing. 10/10

Written by CobiWan1993 on 22.11.2014 at 09:27

Finally gotten around to buying this album after seeing a used copy at FYE. I can't believe I've been putting them off for so long (nothing bad about their music, just didn't feel that immediate attachment at first). It's a grower, but I think it's excellent, and it's convinced me to get more of their work in the future. Definitely needs some repeated listens, but I love what I hear, there are really no bad moments on here as far as I'm concerned. "Waruun" and "Night Sight" are a couple of my favorites.

Welcome to the party. I'm a recent arrival to Enslaved and I think they are now my favourite band.

Huge improvement over Vertebrae. New energy, better harnessing of the clean vocal hooks, and great performances from both the drums and guitar. It's still no Frost, but it's pretty amazing for a band of 17+ years.