Album Review // 2023-03-19

Enslaved

Heimdal

Released: 2023-03-03

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The first time I heard this band it was by request given on my channel. I became interested and soon discovered Enslaved has transformed in ways that seem almost unrecognizable from one album to another. This band was birthed out of the youthful pursuit of music. The two remaining foundational members were only 13 and 17 years old when this band began. They were not held to being like the bands that surrounded them, but were stepping out in new ways. 

Apparently, the name Enslaved was taken from a song by the band Immortal. Not a bad name for a title given by a bunch of kids.

The name of the album, Heimdal, makes a lot of sense, being a god of Norse mythology (the son of Odin). They are staying rooted in mythology and keeping it authentic to their culture.

The videos Enslaved has released have me mixed in my thoughts about the direction this album would go. I am impressed with their dedication to continuing to make music, and not in dusty, stagnant ways. I wanted to see what this latest release would bring. Here are my reflections about Heimdal after many listens.

Album Art

I really like this artwork. At first glance, this seems like a serene picture. It reminds me of being on a lake early in the morning with thick fog. If you take a deeper look, there is a person that can only be seen in the reflection in the water. They are standing on top of the rock, with something in hand. This makes me think of memories, like a person was once on the rock, and now their essence remains.

Mood

The way the music fades in and out makes it feel almost like a daydream or thought coming in and out of your mind. It feels almost boundless.

During more energetic portions, your mind is taking off in a panic. This feels like you are stuck in a maze, but only briefly.

I feel like I have travelled through time and come back.

Vocals

I actually like the vocal with several members singing together, as seen in Congelia and other songs. It feels almost like a chant, giving it an ancient feel. I guess it is done right here for me, as I often don't like this kind of thing.

When the crooning voice is used, such as in Forest Dweller, it feels so relaxing and mellow. And I like it contrasted against the more harsh vocals.

The singing voice, though I didn't like the idea at first, works with this music quite well, and is nice to sing along with.

The screaming voice, I came into this album already knowing I liked it. It certainly didn't disappoint!

The use of vocal dialogue is used in a limited way, so it works for me.

Music

The use of the horn at the beginning is brilliant as it ties into the Norse god Heimdal's use of a horn to alert of an oncoming battle.

The structure of these songs put me off at first. Songs such as Caravans to the Outer Worlds feel eclectic and eccentric, like they beat to their own drum, so to speak. I feel like it took several listens to feel the flow, and then the songs were constantly in my head. But in the end, I like how there are no rules here. You can hear moments of blast beats, while a guitar lead is playing out, and then a groovy keyboard melody. The way these songs are designed is outside the box, but somehow, from start to end, it feels like a cohesive story is playing out.

The use of the keyboard is excellent! I like when people can make organs/keyboards shine in heavy music. It adds a villainous vibe to the music, and at times creates the flowing, out of worldly feel.

The guitar riff tones used, and the pace in many songs, adds to the sense of chaos and urgency.

Something different. I like when something is unconventional.

Behind The Mirror

The idea that there is a gate to another world has been seen in many stories, movies, etc. I was terrified of this concept as a kid and stayed away from mirrors, and I didn't want one in my own room. This song is embracing the idea. The mirror is just the gate. You want it to be there.

In every hallway, there’s a hidden door
You will it into existence - you think it opens
Inside Silence rules supreme
Within the laws of absolute darkness

Congelia

This seems like disconnecting, on varying levels, from yourself. I like the illustration of ice muting things. If you were covered in ice it would be heavy. It would be suffocating. There would be a level of feeling hopeless. This kind of distance requires time to thaw out. The idea of leaving songs to die is painful. Can you hear your own voice or only the voice of others? These words speak to me as someone working through dissociation from pain.

Behind layers and layers of ice
Muted and long forgotten
I am leaving this body behind
I am leaving this body to die

Why is it; we never notice the distance
Before it is too late?
I am leaving these songs behind
I am leaving our songs to die

Mistook the voices of others
For my inner guide to the stars
I am leaving these dreams behind
I am leaving my dreams to die

Forest Dweller

A song with this title already has me feeling comfortable. This seems like a struggle with time, memories, with history. I like that the backdrop of the story is in the woods.

In the time before time, I was fighting
The desperation, the grief, and the pain
The weapon of time I was yielding
So the kin wouldn't vanish in vain

The tree set ablaze at the end of my days
Awaiting my deserved death yell
Long forgotten, no one whispers my name
In the mountains and forests, I'll dwell

Kingdom

I don't know what kingdom this is about, but it seems to be something that was a dream becoming almost a fantasy reality. Like a part of a fantasy book started to take shape in front of you. Somehow it feels right.

The pieces fit
Your eyes can’t flux
Your heart can’t fly
The pieces fit
The fog and the promise
Of a most distant of days
When the panic-stricken Mage
And the drowsy Loner
Taste their words as they mutate
And feel their worlds implode
And it all made sense
As both sides became
All and Naught
Together and further now
In visions of stone

The Eternal Sea

I think this is coming from the angle of the sea, which has had many people move through it. It makes me think of memories and history. The stories the land and water would tell.

We dream of what is coming
Fading shapes will be rewritten
Endless Light from peaceful sleep
Thoughts of what is to come
The stars who shone when we broke
Will be our beacons
Let us take you over limbic waters
On winds who still speak
The tongues of old blue yonders
Let us be your craft
Sails unfolded outside of time
Beyond the reach of our brethren’s demise
We are of the waters
Carrying the Countless Names
Above, below, absorbed and besung
We are of the Eternal Sea
Crossing to wander in shadows
To walk among
Sow
Reconquer
Reconquer
To walk among

Caravans to the Outer Worlds

Obviously, a tale of Odin's journey. I didn't know that a shadow circle was the dividing line between the lit and the dark parts of the earth. Knowing that makes me think of a journey through light and dark in a way that seems vast and dangerous and life-changing. Put the name outer worlds to it, and there is an epic journey ahead.

Our stories died on their journeys
As the fools all spoke their minds
Buried under rotting leaves
From rootless too-young trees

The Tribes of Sense and Earth
Caravans of the Shadow-Circle

The Warrior turns her back
On the ignoble battle
A sword-arm put to better use
Raising sails towards the Outer Worlds
Odin!

Heimdal

Obviously, since this song is the name of the album, it is significant. But it is the one that is hardest for me to understand. It is about a journey Heimdal took and how important it was. I know he was supposed to possess a keen sense of hearing and sight, and he was aware of great battles. He would use a horn to alert others of a battle.

From the home he set in olden times
Against rising waves in the north
With eyes and heart torn by strife
With hope for a fruitful land
In secret he sailed, with volve bride
In the northern slope he was to travel
A shining life in moon-shroud
So should the light now the world
The masts creaked, the bulkheads creaked
On the journey over land and river

Playlist Pick

Congelia is on the edge of chaos, which is how I like my music. Some great harsh vocals. So, it makes it to my list.

Forest Dweller will also make it to my playlist. It has a nice contrast.