Enslaved

Enslaved
Origin	Haugesund, Norway
Genres	Black metal, progressive metal, viking metal
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast, Osmose Productions, Relapse Records
Members	Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson, Ice Dale, Håkon Vinje, Iver Sandøy
Past members	See members section

Enslaved is a Norwegian heavy metal band formed in Haugesund in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson. The band is known for its integration of black metal elements with progressive metal and viking metal, and has been a significant player in the Norwegian metal scene.

History

Formation and Early Years

Enslaved was formed in 1991 by guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson when they were just 13 and 17 years old, respectively. The band's name was inspired by an Immortal demo track titled "Enslaved in Rot." Enslaved's early music was primarily rooted in the Norwegian black metal scene, with their debut album Vikingligr Veldi released in 1994.

Evolution of Sound

Over the years, Enslaved's musical style has evolved significantly. While their early work was heavily influenced by traditional black metal, they began incorporating elements of progressive rock and psychedelic music into their sound with albums like Below the Lights (2003) and Isa (2004). This shift has been credited with helping to pioneer the "progressive black metal" subgenre.

Recent Work

In recent years, Enslaved has continued to push musical boundaries. Their 2020 album, Utgard, saw further experimentation with elements of electronic music and ambient music, receiving critical acclaim for its innovation and complexity.

Members

Current

• Ivar Bjørnson – guitars, keyboards
• Grutle Kjellson – vocals, bass
• Ice Dale – guitars
• Håkon Vinje – keyboards, vocals
• Iver Sandøy – drums, vocals

Former

• List of former members

Discography

Studio Albums

• Vikingligr Veldi (1994)
• Frost (1994)
• Eld (1997)
• Blodhemn (1998)
• Mardraum – Beyond the Within (2000)
• Monumension (2001)
• Below the Lights (2003)
• Isa (2004)
• Ruun (2006)
• Vertebrae (2008)
• Axioma Ethica Odini (2010)
• Riitiir (2012)
• In Times (2015)
• E (2017)
• Utgard (2020)

Legacy

Enslaved has been influential in the metal scene, particularly within the genres of black and progressive metal. Their ability to evolve musically while maintaining a high level of artistic integrity has earned them a dedicated fanbase and respect among critics.

See Also

• List of black metal bands
• Music of Norway