Formed in Bergen, Norway, in 1991, Enslaved followed their own singular
path from the very start. As they emerged from the nascent Norwegian
black metal scene of the early ‘90s, guitarist Ivar Bjornson and
vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson exhibited a uniquely eccentric approach
to making extreme music. Adventurous and progressive where many of
their peers were insular and restrained, Enslaved’s reputation grew
rapidly in the wake of extraordinary, epic albums like their debut
Vikingligr Veldi and its strident follow-up Frost (both 1994). By the
late ‘90s, the band had morphed into a much more ingenious and
ground-breaking beast: always retaining that essential link to their
extremist roots but fearless in their pursuit of new ways to express
their wildest ideas.
Vikingligr Veldi (Icelandic meaning roughly Glorious Viking Square) is the debut studio album by Norwegian heavy metal band Enslaved. It was released in 1994, through Deathlike Silence Productions, the record label run by Euronymous, who was killed before the album's release. The album is dedicated to him.
Despite Enslaved's nationality, the lyrics on this album are mainly in Icelandic, perhaps due to its resemblance to Old Norse. The lyrics of "Heimdallr", however, are in Old Norwegian. The distinct cover features the grave-good helm uncovered at the Sutton Hoo site in England, ostensibly belonging to the 7th century bretwalda, Raedwald of East Anglia.
Guitarist and keyboardist Ivar Bjørnson was just 15 years old when Vikingligr Veldi was recorded.
1. Lifandi liv undir hamri 11:31
2. Vetrarnótt 10:58
3. Miðgarðs eldar 11:16
4. Heimdallr 06:15
5. Norvegr 10:56
Disc 2:
1. Slaget i skogen bortenfor (Epilog / Slaget) 13:10
2. Allfǫðr Oðinn 07:50
3. Balfǫr (Andi fara / Prologr) 09:49
• Grutle Kjellson: Vocals, bass.
• Trym Torson: Drums, percussion.
• Ivar Bjørnson: Guitars, piano, electronics, songwriting, lyrics.
- Label: Candlelight Records.
- Two discs remastered reissue of Vikingligr Veldi (1994) and Hordanes Land (1993).
Co-produced and co-mixed by Enslaved.
