ENSLAVED - Yggdrasil
Tracklisting:
1)Heimdallr
2)Allfqor Odinn
3)Hal Valr
4)Niunda Heim
5)The Winter Kingdom - Opus 1
6)Resound Of Gjallarhorn
7)Enslaved
Lineup:
H.M. Daimonion - Chaimsaw & Synthetics
Earl Grutle - Vulcanizing/Vox
Trym - Apocalypse/Perc
This is the original Enslaved demo which appeared as a split EP with Satyricon.
This early material is quite spectacular, and as usual, most of these songs are
long, epic pieces. The first track, 'Heimdallr' sees some blistering vocal screams
and some great keyboard bursts here and there. Oh yes, Trym's drumming is just as
intense and as fast as the other albums as well. The quality of the sound is vastly
inferior to that of say, 'Frost', but bare in mind that this is the original demo
material, released 'as is' with no tweaks or extra tracks. To wrap it up, Enslaved,
in my opinion, are the only band who can do Viking Metal properly whilst at the
same time keeping the musical ferocity of Black Metal in the equation. If you didn't
obtain this the first time round (hell - I wish I did), then I recommend you find
this and buy it as soon as possible.
Rating: 
BACK
ENSLAVED - Hordane's Land
Tracklisting:
1)Slaget I Skogen Bortenfor
2)Allfqor Odinn
3)Balfqr - I am not too sure how accurate these are, as the sleeve is wrong!
Lineup:
Trym (Torson) - Drums And Percussion
D.Ymer - Guitars, FX, Fretless, Keyboards, Synths
Earl Grutle - Vocals And Bass
This appeared as a split EP with Emperor, and although there are many
tracks listed on the insert, only three appear. These three are all epics with some
great instrumental parts (especially the third track), and Grutle Kjellson's usual
killer vocal screams. I am a big Enslaved fan, and I like these tracks, but there
are a fair few number of people who disagree with me, so you are best advised to
check them out for yourself.
Rating:
BACK
ENSLAVED - Frost
Tracklisting:
1)Frost
2)Loke
3)Fenris
4)Svarte Vidder
5)Yggdrasil
6)Jotunblod
7)Gylfaginning
8)Wotan
9)Isoders Dronning
Lineup:
Trym Toson - Drums and Percussion
Grutle Kjellson- Bass, Vocals and Mouthharp
Ivar Bjørnson- Guitars And Electronics
Now this is an album not to be missed. Enslaved, (for those who have lived
in a dungeon for the past few years) play a musical style called 'Viking Metal'.
Basically, it is as fast as it comes and with Norwegian vocals about Norse Mythology.
This fantastic album kicks off with the only instrumental on the record - 'Frost',
a beautiful and atmospheric track and an excellent opener for the album. After this
track has finished, you are gradually hurled headlong into Enslaved's musical prowess,
no break between tracks here matey. 'Loki' begins with the unmistakable drumming
of Trym Torson (who, as far as I know, is now enjoying life with Emperor), fast
and aggressive, which is followed by evil riffing from Ivar Bjornson and the usual
Kjellson shreaking. The whole album is a masterpiece in my opinion, and you would
be rather foolish not to at least give it a listen.
Rating:
BACK
ENSLAVED - Eld
Tracklisting:
1)793 (Slaget Om Lindisfarne)
2)Hordalendingen
3)Alfablot
4)Kvasirs Blod
5)For Lenge Siden
6)Glemt
7)Eld
Lineup:
Ivar Bjørnson - Guitars And Electronics
Grutle Kjellson - Vocals And Bass
Harald Helgeson - Drums
Well, here we have the first Enslaved album without drum-wizard Trym. It is a pretty good album, but nowhere
near as fast and as violent as 1994's 'Frost'. Opener '793...' is another 15 minute epic (remember Slaget I Skogen Brotenfor?) that
goes down very well. It starts quite soothing and quiet, and then gets more up-tempo. Enslaved have slowed down a bit on
this album. Whether or not this is because Trym has left is unknown, but I was a little disappointed when I heard this for
the first time. However, it grew on me with each listen. Grutle's vocals seem to have changed as well. He has dropped the
viscious screaming and started to use more of a 'natural viking' type of screech/moan. To summarise, buy this album, as it
is a solid release, but personally, I prefer 'Frost'.
Rating:
BACK