Helheim
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| Helheim | |
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| Origin | Bergen, Norway |
| Years active | 1992 - present |
| Genres | Black metal Viking metal |
| Labels | Massacre Records Stemra Karisma Records DA Dark Essence Records |
| Members | Hrymr V’gandr H’grimnir Thorbjørn |
Helheim is a Norwegian black/viking metal band formed in 1992.
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[edit] Biography
Helheim was founded by V’gandr and H’grimnir, as a project to start a band, capable of delivering extreme metal music. Soon after the original idea, drummer Hrymr joined forces, and completed the starting line up, with V’gandr on bass and main vocals and H’grimnir on lead guitar and vocals.
The band was not shy making an impression over the first time, performing on local Bergen festivals, gaining recognition and live experience. The debut demo simply titled “Helheim” was released in mid 1993, unfortunately not meeting the band’s expectations, as the sold copies stayed within their native Norway, and did not sell abroad. Soon after this, the band started working on new, more innovative material, and Nidhogg, who had joined after the release of the first demo, left the band again, as he was not able to commit 100% to the band. With the new material finalized, the second demo “Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr” (Netherwards and Northwards lies Helheim) was unleashed in mid 1994 and was able to spark the interest of the German label Solistitium( now Millennium Music). After signing to the label, and releasing their debut album “Jormundgand”( The Midgard Serpent) which was recorded in Grieghallen in 1995, Helheim followed up with a European Tour in 1996. After the tour, the band didn’t wait long to pick up work for their second album “Av Norrøn Ætt”(Of Norse Lineage). Though it was recorded in the same studio as their debut album, it turned out completely different, capturing the evergrowing effort put into the band’s songs and music. With the release of the second album, the contract to Solistitium Records was fulfilled, and the band was without contract for a rather long periode.
Finally, in 1999, Ars Metalli got in touch with Helheim and wanted to signed them for a one album contract. Though the band members were not sure, of the mainly underground label would be able to represent them as good as they were looking for, they were eager to work on new material and new publication. At this point, new musicians Lindheim on synthesizer and Thorbjørn on lead guitars joined the trio and were able to strengthen the bands realization of their music and were able to bring a new air of inspiration into the circle.
Having reached new highs, Helheim went for a new producer, Odd Kronheim of the S.J.E.F Studio, and not only recorded the MCD “Terrorveldet”( The Realm of Terror) but were able to release their first full length album after 4 long years, called “Blod & Ild”(Blood & Fire). Both publications were not only highly praised by the Norwegian Metal press, but also by international press and metal scenes. The CD also included their first ever music video for the song “Jernskogen”(The Ironforest) taken from the “Blod & Ild” release, as a multimedia show when inserted in a PC or MAC.
Two years later, in 2001, the band tried to publish another MCD, “Helsviti” (Hell’s Punishment), which they had once again recorded with Pytten in Grieghallen, but due to lack in communication from the Ars Metalli Label with the band, this was never to be released at this stage. But the men in the band were not too unmotivated after this disappointment, but went straight back to Grieghallen, to work with Pytten on the next full length album “Yersinia Pestis”. Massacre records took the responsibility of releasing and distributing the album, which received amazing critics from an international press and audience. Sadly, due to a bad job in promoting the album, it didn’t sell as well outside their native Norway as the previous album, though, at the same time was able to secure them a major breakthrough within Norway, which was a fact Helheim appreciated very much and were proud of. Though massacre records had agreed publishing the previously recorder MCD “Helsviti” as well, they never held that end of the bargain, and the cooperation was pretty much laid down after this.
In 2005, after 4 years of intense contribution to the band’s success, Lindheim decided to leave the band. There is no bad blood whatsoever between the people involved, but the current band members still thank him much for his selfless contribution. One of the best examples for his great work is without a doubt found on the Yersinia Pestis album, personified in ‘Stones to Burden’.
Now, Helheim released their 5th full length album this year, in mid June 2006, called “The Journeys and Experiences of Death”. Through their whole history, Helheim have always been circling around Norse Mythology, and their Viking ancestors, this strike would mainly present the death cults and Viking’s beliefs surrounding death. The first 2,000 copies of this latest album were published as a Double Digipack, also featuring the long awaited release of the 2001 recorded MCD “Helsviti”, which now, through the new local label Dark Essence Records, finally has a chance to impress as well.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio Releases
- Jormundgand [CD/LP] - (1995)
- Av Norrøn Ætt [CD] - (1997)
- Terrorveldet [MCD] - (1999)
- Blod og Ild [CD] - (2000)
- Yersinia Pestis [CD] - (2003)
- The Journeys and the Experiences of Death/Helsviti [Double CD/ Digi-Pack/ limited to 2000 copies] - (2006)
- The Journeys and the Experiences of Death [CD] - (2006)
[edit] Lineup
[edit] Current members
- Hrymr - Drums and Programming (1992-)
- V’gandr - Bass and Vocal (1992-)
- H’grimnir - Guitar and Vocal (1992-)
- Thorbjørn - Guitar (1999-)
