ENSLAVED – Heimdal

Relentless, innovative, and endlessly creative, Enslaved keep pushing boundaries in their legendary career. With Heimdal, their sixteenth album, the band marks a 32-year journey of evolution—and proves the Norwegians are still at the top of their game. Following the ambitious Utgard was no small feat. Nevertheless, Enslaved delivers a record already tipped as one of 2023’s finest.

 

Once again, Enslaved proves adept at exploring the world of pagan culture at the heart of black metal. They emphasize the human inner life and parallel worlds, in line with Norse mythology, and celebrate traditions predating Christianity. The album’s title carries deep significance. Heimdal (or Heimdallr), the guardian god of the Æsir and Vanir, watches over the Bifröst bridge. Here, he emerges as the central figure after first appearing in the tracklist of Yggdrasill, one of the band’s earliest demos. Only after decades does he return to center stage in nearly 50 minutes of music, showcasing a colossal evolution that culminates in a truly majestic work.

 

The journey begins with the sound of oars slicing through water and the horn intro played by Eilif Gundersen of Wardruna. This leads straight into Behind the Mirror. In its soaring, intense verses, Kjellson and Vinje create an impeccable vocal duality, balancing scream and clean singing in a spine-tingling atmosphere. Elevating the track’s solemnity to breathtaking heights, the keyboards command attention, while the supporting riffs—melodic yet heavy—straddle the line between prog and black metal, genres close to the band’s hearts. Over six and a half minutes, listeners are carried through a torrent of emotions that keep them hooked until the last note. A crescendoing drum intro ushers in Congelia, which follows Behind the Mirror and lends the album a more solid structure. From here, glacial atmospheres are conjured by massive riffs layered over Sandøy’s blast beats, while the keyboards remain front and center, perfectly complementing the alternating vocals and an engaging solo. Next, Forest Dweller maintains the established style, leading into Kingdom, which is introduced by a stunning solo weaving together drums, keyboards, and clean vocals. The journey continues as The Eternal Sea opens with a dark, deliberate groove built around a powerful bassline, setting the stage for Caravans to the Outer World—named after the 2021 EP—and continuing the mystical journey with enveloping guitars and the classic harsh/clean vocal interplay. Finally, the title track unfolds as the album’s longest and darkest piece, filled with complex variations and autonomous musical moments.

 

Enslaved have proven once again that they are one of the most vital bands in the scene. With a moniker that has maintained a solid identity for over three decades, the band continues to surprise listeners with bold evolution from album to album. Heimdal, however, defies the rule. By using their roots as a firm foundation, Enslaved crafts an almost entirely new sound, infused with emotional intensity that transports listeners directly into the mystical Viking world. This album is a must-listen.