Definetly one of my favorite bands. They are one of the best black metal bands out there. I haven't heard their later albums, only Isa a bit, and I understand that they are a bit diferent from their earlier albums. I think that they are somekind of progressive/black metal now. But, my favorite album is Eld. A masterpiece. Every song on it is great. For Lenge Siden I like the most. Frost is great album too and Blodhemn too, even that it hasn't to good reviews.

One thing I dislike is when people dislike later Enslaved because it is too different from their early stuff, as I think that Isa and Below the Lights, and possibly Monumension too are actually better than Frost, which is kind of overrated among Enslaved fans, though it's still a very good record, anyway I find that it sucks when bands get badmouthed for evolving, and it's great that all Enslaved albums are very different and unique.

Meh, some people just don't like change.

The last 5 Enslaved albums are some of the best music ever made, imho...

Written by Guest on 09.05.2007 at 23:11

One thing I dislike is when people dislike later Enslaved because it is too different from their early stuff, as I think that Isa and Below the Lights, and possibly Monumension too are actually better than Frost, which is kind of overrated among Enslaved fans, though it's still a very good record, anyway I find that it sucks when bands get badmouthed for evolving, and it's great that all Enslaved albums are very different and unique.

lol.

I personally think that Enslaved have two era , very first album and the rest ... i know few people they don't compare Enslaved very first album 'Vikingligr Veldi' with other Enslaved albums. Vikingligr Veldi is just amazing , one of the best Enslaved creation ( and even the band members admit it !! ). All the albums after Vikingligr Veldi is good and among them my favorite is Isa and Frost .... they are some of the band who never disappoint their fans. I like the band but somehow they were never my FAVORITE , the way i like Immortal Mayhem and Burzum and Beherit.
New album was trippy and yes saw them twice this year

I also think Vikingligr Veldi is one of their best, as it's so atmospheric and also very diverse, each song is totally unique, I love it how they managed to blend harsher parts with some really calm stuff, especially showcased on the song Midgards Eldar.

Written by Guest on 09.05.2007 at 23:11

One thing I dislike is when people dislike later Enslaved because it is too different from their early stuff, as I think that Isa and Below the Lights, and possibly Monumension too are actually better than Frost, which is kind of overrated among Enslaved fans, though it's still a very good record, anyway I find that it sucks when bands get badmouthed for evolving, and it's great that all Enslaved albums are very different and unique.

Man I hope you're not refering to me. I didn't say that I don't like the later Enslaved albums I just said I haven't heard them yet. I'm looking forward to hear them I hope that they will be great and suitable for my taste.

Another thing about Enslaved is that they can keep cranking out high quality albums, at a fairly fast rate (five albums in the last 7 years), despite having almost constant lineup changes. And as long as Grutle and Ivar are together doing this stuff, I don't see that changing.

@ Milutin: I was mostly referring to inernet reviewers, who sometimes write total rubbish, stating that "Enslaved has betrayed their roots, blah blah blah...", Enslaved has been criticized by some for incorporating prog rock elements and expanding their spectrum, especially for Mardraum:Beyond the Within

Written by Guest on 11.05.2007 at 15:38

@ Milutin: I was mostly referring to inernet reviewers, who sometimes write total rubbish, stating that "Enslaved has betrayed their roots, blah blah blah...", Enslaved has been criticized by some for incorporating prog rock elements and expanding their spectrum, especially for Mardraum:Beyond the Within

OK man...no hard feelings there...

I've said this before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but every time I listen to 'Frost' it reminds me why I always rate it as the best Black Metal album that exists today. I know, it's a very big call to make, but nothing in this entire genre does what that album does for me. It's got it all - atmosphere, brutality, epicness, a grim and cold feel, melody, general awesomeness... 'Frost' for the win! 'Vikingligr Veldi' and 'Eld' are probably tied in second right now, it probably would be VV on it's own if 'Eld' didn't have "Slaget Om Lindisfarne" on it, but that song is pure gold, as stated previously in this thread.

Apparently, they are touring Australia in October. This is a fairly well-documented rumour, since some local independent music stores are starting to advertise the dates and stuff. If (or should I say, when) it happens, I will be one step closer to feeling complete!

Written by Judas on 11.05.2007 at 18:38

I've said this before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but every time I listen to 'Frost' it reminds me why I always rate it as the best Black Metal album that exists today. I know, it's a very big call to make, but nothing in this entire genre does what that album does for me. It's got it all - atmosphere, brutality, epicness, a grim and cold feel, melody, general awesomeness... 'Frost' for the win! 'Vikingligr Veldi' and 'Eld' are probably tied in second right now, it probably would be VV on it's own if 'Eld' didn't have "Slaget Om Lindisfarne" on it, but that song is pure gold, as stated previously in this thread.

Apparently, they are touring Australia in October. This is a fairly well-documented rumour, since some local independent music stores are starting to advertise the dates and stuff. If (or should I say, when) it happens, I will be one step closer to feeling complete!

I like ur opinion...and great for u

Enslaved are a great band, I recently aquired the new(est) album RUUN. I have to say, this is some of the best viking metal Ive heard in quite a while. Tracks like Path To Venir and Fusion Of Sense And Earth are amazing.

Both are really catchy songs at heart, but neither fail to lose any heaviness or sheer power as any previous tracks. Really reccomended.

Just few words to say that a professionally filmed video footage of Enslaved's performance at this year's Norwegian Wood festival has been made available for streaming at NRK Nett-TV web site at this location. Enjoy.

One of my favorite bands....Enslaved is a class act, and Grutle has to be one of my favourite figues in black metal.

Yes, and he is also a very good vocalist, whose voice is easily recognisable and powerful.

I can proudly say Enslaved is my favorite viking and black metal in general band...I got into Enslaved thanks to Below the Lights, loved the album. The new album isn't bad it is "new", it is different and that's why I would say some black metal fans are too square about how the black metal sound should sound...I say music is endless enslaved has shown that by exploring new sounds.

I will see them live by the end of the year for the first time...can't wait.

Written by Guest on 29.06.2007 at 06:54

I will see them live by the end of the year for the first time...can't wait.

They put on a great show, seriously.

my favourite song is by Enslaved,without voice,without drums,without bass,without guytar.Just
the sound of a piano.They are..they!

Alright, so the only thing I have still to do is order the tickets, and then I will be seeing them live on their upcoming tour (with support of KoK).

However, I still don't like them. That is, I don't dislike them, but they still didn't grab me by the balls with their supposed brilliance. I will listen to them a lot prior to the show, and hope it'll change my mind, or maybe the show itself will. Are they good live?

They are great live, atleast the gig at wacken was brilliant. One of the better gigs during the festival in my opinion.

Written by Lucas on 21.08.2007 at 21:32

Alright, so the only thing I have still to do is order the tickets, and then I will be seeing them live on their upcoming tour (with support of KoK).

However, I still don't like them. That is, I don't dislike them, but they still didn't grab me by the balls with their supposed brilliance. I will listen to them a lot prior to the show, and hope it'll change my mind, or maybe the show itself will. Are they good live?

Out of curiosity, what specifically of their's have you checked out? Give me a reference point of what you heard and what you liked/disliked, and I'll try to point you to the album in their catalog that might be a good starting point for you.

Ok, good. I was going to send you a message soon. If this turns out to be too off-topic/personal, it'll still come.

I heard: Vikingligr Veldi, Mardraum, Ruun & Isa. Heard of these albums at least more than half of the songs. I've heard songs from other albums too, but didn't really pay attention or didn't hear enough.

So far, with only Mardraum I thought: 'hey! This isn't too bad.' It was also the last album I heard, so maybe I'm already growing.

And what else.. well, I can't specifically say that it's the Black or the Prog that turns me off, so I supposed that makes it more difficult for you.

Yeah, you did make it slightly more difficult - I figured you probably weren't into their newer releases, but wasn't prepared for both that and "VV" to hit you as 'meh.'

"Mardraum" is one of my favorites, second only to "Monumension."

If you liked "Mardraum", I would probably suggest "Blodhemn" or "Eld" next, particularly the opening track, 793 (The Battle of Lindisfarne) - that is one awesome song.

@BitterCOld, yes, when I heard all the comments about VV I definitely thought I'd react the way I did.

Currently listening to Eld and I'll listen to VV again. If this post doesn't get buried, I'll edit it.

"Eld" as a whole is ok (for Enslaved, so would be ZOMG! good for most bands, imo) - but it's the opening track that really stands out.

"Blodhemn" is also very straightforward, probably their least experimental album, but really crushing.


I would also recommend "Below the Lights", but based upon your citing "Mardraum", I opted to the two albums that were the closest to it. 'When Fire Swept Clean the Earth', the opener to "BTL" is probably my favorite Enslaved song, and the rest of the album is really solid... 'Dead Stare' sounds like Pink Floyd meets the folks at the BBC who composed the Doctor Who theme at times. Really good album from start to finish, not as 'proggy' as their later releases, but not as thundering Viking/Black/Extreme as their earlier albums.

"Monumension" is my favorite, but I avoided recommending it as a starting point as it is probably their hardest album to fully embrace. It took me a couple late night listens under the influence of a lot of barley soda before I found myself really appreciating it.


Hopefully you find something you like.

i love every album of enslaved and theyre sure one of my favorite black metal bands but after 2 hours of listening to them i get a headache and i dont know why maybe its the keyoardsound...

Vikingligr Veldi
THis is an awsome album becasue of the integration of viking elements with progressive ones. Progressive black metal sounds awkward but you gotta listen to this album to understand.

I was at their last french show, it was incredible.
Look some pictures:



Enslaved on Live Pics: Paris gig

Written by villain on 21.10.2007 at 20:44

Vikingligr Veldi
THis is an awsome album becasue of the integration of viking elements with progressive ones. Progressive black metal sounds awkward but you gotta listen to this album to understand.

I completely agree with you in regards to Vikingligr Veldi, it's probably my favorite Enslaved album,I love the atmosphere.

nice pics. it looks like the Rickenbass was retired.