Enslaved – Heimdal
Release Date: 3rd March 2023
Label: Nuclear Blast
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Viking Metal.
FFO: Ihsan, Borknagar, Oranssi Pazuzu, Deathspell Omega, Opeth.
Review By: Rick Farley
For a band to have maintained a thirty-year career while still being relevant and considered one of the finest progressive black metal bands to ever grace our dark hearts with tales of Viking lore and eclectic musical soundscapes is remarkable all on its own. Factor in that Enslaved has one of the most respected discographies in all of metal and have yet to release anything near subpar. Even their worst is still leagues better than most. Now in 2023 we are bestowed with full length number sixteen Heimdal. A concept based on the most mysterious entity in Nordic mythology. Most famously known as the gatekeeper between the nine Norse realms. This album marks a musical journey that mirrors the older and younger versions of oneself, and whether they are separate or bound as one. Each stage of the journey planting seeds for the next. Heimdal is both a birthing of new phases and a fusing of musical roots forged over three decades ago.
Heimdal dramatically starts with horns blowing and sounds of sea waves hitting boatside. Behind the Mirror is an epic opener full of differing intensities. Wavering between harsh vocals and full sounding cleans, with proggy synth elements draped over the doomy aspects of a hooky 70s inspired riff. The track maintains a sense of urgency, as if you’re starting the journey here and spiralling apprehensively to the next destination.
Frigid black metal takes the fury of the waves to raging with the aggressive Congelia. A relentless drum pattern from Iver Sandøy continuously hammering your skull, while a clunky rhythmic riff flows awkwardly overtop. The bassline slithers in beneath, setting both guitar pieces and drum pattern into one coherent but chaotic movement. Harsh growls throughout and trippy psychedelic synth accents, all lead up to a grouped passage of cleanly sung vocals before embarking on one of Ice Dale’s most evocative and memorable solos.
The bewitching Scandinavian melodies of The Forest Dweller sweep in between thick distorted chords and pulsing low end before coming to a serene folky strum with Grutle’s full toned vocals. Steady pounding toms slowly coming into full volume thrust the song into a discharge of black metal wrath, hurtling itself forward. Grutle’s well known growl spits savagery into the hellish mood change. Keyboardist Håkon Vinje rips off an organ solo that enhances the mayhem with stylistic vibe.
The impelling dreamlike state of The Eternal Sea hypnotizes with a bass heavy hook that lumbers along before morphing into crisp metallic guitars with a headbangable groove. Håkon’s clean vocals are distinctive and bring some youthful exuberance to this crunchy stomper.
The closing track Heimdal is composed of three parts, the first being that Ragnarök is nearing. The gut wrenchingly low tuned guitars give off a gloomy djent vibe that has a hulking presence. The second part, composer/guitarist Ivar Bjørnson asked friends to record messages for their future selves which appear on the track alongside a reading from an ancient text known as the Heimdal spell. An up-tempo drumbeat kicks off part three that leads to a traditional heavy metal inspired riff with hook filled cleans. Lyrically touching on Heimdal’s reappearance as the navigator for the human race, uncertain of the path but remaining full of hope. The track drifts into wavy synths and a single blow of the horn ending this amazing journey.
Not an album to be easily absorbed right away, there’s a multitude of layers to experience. Each one will take you into a state of deeper comprehension. A remarkable piece of art by a band that continuously defies genres with intriguing, captivating, and challenging soundscapes. Turbulent black metal, proggy riffs influenced from yesteryear, lush atmospheric synths and inspired songwriting combined with breathtaking musicianship shifts extremes that both break new ground yet remain nostalgic. The evolution of Enslaved is unbroken, bearing modern interpretations of progressive black metal that is always considered to be essential listening. Heimdal stands as the bands finest moment in a little over a decade. 
(5 / 5)
