To this date I haven't heard the split albums they did with Emperor and Satyricon, but as far as their full-length releases go, "Vikingligr Veldi's" qualifies as Enslaved's rawest. In this case, however, rawest doesn't mean the most brutal. This full-length debut stands apart from the band's other works because of the much more relaxed and atmospheric approach. Not that the speed factor was completely omitted here. Fast segments are still scattered around (particularly on "Heimdallr" which is all speed) to more or less satisfy those who are used to the overly breakneck pace of "Frost" or "Eld." The difference is that this album is the most balanced when it comes to combining atmosphere with aggressiveness. This, in conjunction with what turns out to be the band's darkest sound, is what gives this work such a distinct edge. It is still very much Enslaved, but whereas on their later albums the band would insert reposed segments or even entire songs just to cool things off or to finish an album on a more calm and epic note, here, atmosphere is not just a supplement but a major player that is given an extensive room to breathe. "Lifandi Lif Undir Hamri" and "Norvegr" are slow, very long and roomy pieces full of composure and introspection, with the latter being very much in an epic mode and enhanced with Ivar's piano playing. "Vetrarnott" and "Midgards Eldar" meanwhile equally juxtapose laid back atmospheric segments with fairly speedy and rough parts. Stylistically, "Vikingligr Veldi's" of course fits the mode of the early Norwegian black metal despite the sparse use of airy keyboards and acoustic guitar. Musically, it is a pretty straightforward affair, but far from being the most accessible (or, for that matter, the most innovative) Enslaved album. There is nothing flashy about it at all. Then again, early Enslaved weren't exactly the most accessible or immediately satisfying band. I like this album quite a bit though. It has enough feel as well as grimness to withstand a wearisome assault by the current glut of vapid and gaudy black metal acts.

© 2000 boris