ENSLAVED was formed in 1991.
The first release was a demo-casette entitled "Yggdrasill".
The next event was the release (by Candlelight Rec.) a mini-album called "Hordanes Land" (also released as a split-Cd with country mates EMPEROR). "Yggdrasill" had led to a deal with D.S.P./Voices of Wonder (Nor). The debut album "Vikingligr Veldi" (finished mid '93) reached the market in early '94, due to extensive delays. Looking back on their experiences with V.o.W., ENSLAVED decided to leave them. They received an offer from OSMOSE PROD. (Fra), one of Europe's growing giants within the game of alternative metal music. ENSLAVED gladly accepted, and their album "Frost" was out in November 1994. They have received overwhelming critics and is now among the best selling bands in the genre of extreme metal. In February 1995 the three Vikings conquered Europe with the "Winter War Tour '95", together with Swedish metallers MARDUK. This turned out to be a real success for both bands, and ENSLAVED established a reputation never expected on this debut tour.
The music is labeled Viking Metal, referring to the band's own ancestors. The band promotes the aspects of their heritage and heathen cultures and religion in general; both the bright as well as the dark sides of the Northern (as well as a global) heathen past. ENSLAVED's concept deals with historical events, thoughts, aspects of the human mind, the primal forces, questions. ENSLAVED has stood out from the masses by clearly declaring a lack of interest and involvement in controversial matters in our time; politics, the satanism and sects issues, greenpeace, etc...
ENSLAVED deals with man's inner laws, not the prodigies of "civilized" societies. ENSLAVED is for everybody, a universal key to unlock the prison doors in a world we should be ashamed of having created. Although as individuals, ENSLAVED consists of people with clear (and also different) views on what is happening around us.
After the enormous success with the "Winter War Tour", ENSLAVED has become a highly prized live-band. In July through August '95, they toured the US and Mexico. Subsequent touring and live-jobs will take place all over Europe during 1996.
ENSLAVED is currently working on their next album for OSMOSE PROD., with the working title "793/1996". This will be in the ENSLAVED tradition, known to so many, but it will also show aspects of ENSLAVED's musicianship never before revealed. Fast and mellow.
Enslaved parted ways with their drummer Trym Torson. Trym is no longer with the band, and his replacement is Harald Helgeson.
A lot of people will probably have trouble imagining a worthy replacement on the drum-chair with Enslaved - but we can ensure all of you that there will be no disappointment - rather quite the opposite. Harald Helgeson is a fast(er) drummer, and highly skilled. There is no danger for any style-change being blamed on him.
Enslaved Is:
- * Ivar Bjørnson * -Guitar, electronics, music and lyrics-
- * Grutle Kjellson * -Bass, vocals and lyrics-
- * Harald Helgeson * -Drums-
(There are no pictures of Harald Helgeson available for now - but as soon as some are taken, they Will be presented here)
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