So I started my #MetalJourney of the band #Enslaved! Given their large discography, I will only talk about the full-lengths, and their first one is Vikingligr Veldi.
It's not a bad start. Fairly typical early 90s Norwegian black metal with some synths to emphasize the grandeur of their mythical lyricism~
Miðgarðs Eldar is the song in which it all comes together nicely.
It's not an album I will be listening to a lot, but their talent shines through.
Rating: 7/10
Their sophomore album 'Frost' was released the same year! Their sound slightly evolved, using more folk elements and synths.
It doesn't really grab me, but I can understand this being groundbreaking in 1994.
The closer 'Isoders Dronning' is the best song on here. Fairly straightforward but with a bit of acoustic guitar work and pagan chants as well~
Rating: 7/10
On 'Eld', the band shifts more to viking metal (with lots of epic clean vocal work) and incorporating more progressive elements. There are still lots of blasting black metal passages as well, and they are more effective due to the more dynamic songwriting approach.
I like 'Kvasirs Blod' mainly because of the drums~
Rating: 7.5/10
I expected 'Blodhemn' to go full viking, but no. There's some epic passages to be found, as well as some proggy synthwork to create space ship sounds, but there's a heavy emphasis on thrashy black metal riffage that makes this their most intense album so far~
Take the Immortal-esque song 'Urtical Gods' for example.
Rating: 8/10
'Mardraum' is a logical follow-up, but with quite a leap in terms of progressive guitar work and other complexities. It's hard to get the full picture with just a first impression, because there is so so much happening, but this is my favorite Enslaved album so far.
'Det Endelege Riket' is my highlight of the album. Sharp black metal but with a great otherworldly melodic middle part.
Rating: 8.5/10
Oof. The emphasis on psychedelic rock on 'Monumension' is definitely not for me. There are some occasional nice passages, but most of the songs are quite forgettable.
The doomdeathish 'The Cromlech Gate' had my attention the most.
Rating: 3/10
'Below the Lights' is, luckily for me, less obvious Pink Floyd worship than their previous record. What stands out to me the most is the building tension in a lot of the songs. Sometimes it resolves nicely, like in 'The Dead Stare'. Other times, it doesn't, and they lose me in their repetitiveness.
At the end of the day, not an album I will be revisiting soon.
Rating: 5/10
'Isa' also meanders between great and forgettable. A bit more great than their previous albums though. The synths in 'Ascension' are pure emotion, and the lengthy 'Neogenesis' keeps me on my toes all the way~
Rating: 6/10
'Ruun' seems less experimental than the previous records. It also flows nicer and the mood is consistent, maybe because of it. It's a nice listen, with the atmospheric 'Essence' as my personal highlight~
Rating 7.5/10
It's probably just me, but 'Vertebrae' is one of the most uninteresting albums I heard in quite a while. Everything just... drags.
'Reflection' is a good song, but that's the only positive thing I can say~
Rating: 3/10
Luckily 'Axioma Ethica Odini' is a major improvement. It loses a bit of focus in the middle, but otherwise it's one of their strongest efforts so far~
'Night Sight' combines the best of vintage prog with atmospheric viking black 🔥
Rating: 8.5/10
The length of 'Riitiir' is what keeps it from being from near perfect. I think if they scrapped the first 2 songs (omg do they drag) it would be a fantastic album.
Still a great listen, this one. Moreover, 'Roots of the Mountain' is my absolute favorite song of theirs (until now). 🖤
Rating: 9/10
To me 'In Times' sounds like they gathered the riffs and melodies that didn't make the last two records. Not that this is necessarily a bad album, and it slightly grows after multiple listens, but I'm not wowed.
The title song is the lengthiest but at the same time the most straightforward song, which I like.
Rating: 6/10
I think I heard 'E' before. Or at least, part of it. I heard lots of familiar sections. Can't remember when or where though.
It doesn't matter. This album is... more of the same. It starts off strong, dips in the middle, and highlights with the doomy 'Hiindsiight', that has some great sax melodies. Which is a great achievement because I usually hate sax melodies~
Rating: 6.5/10
I wouldn't call 'Utgard' easy listening but it's definitely more accessible than most of their albums. Songs are more compact, and tempo changes aren't over the top.
I would've loved more songs like 'Jettegryta' though, which I think is one of their best songs ever recorded.
One more album to go!
Rating: 7.5/10
@miona This was my first Enslaved album and I love it, so I am unable to view it objectively. Nice to see your takes on their discography so far. I wonder how the next few are gonna go down with you though...
If I'm super honest I love Enslaved off the strength of this and one other record. The others all have their moments, but I do think they can be overhyped in the professional reviewing media. It pains me to admit that.
Miona
Luke
Alex