Enslaved [Import]

Enslaved [Import]

Track Listings

1. Gates Of Heaven

2. Out Of The Flames

3. Forsaken

4. Bless My Sins

5. Immortal Hate

6. Son Of A Thousand Souls

7. Enslaved

8. Voices

9. When You Dream

10. Afraid No More

11. Ease My Pain

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Vocalise
Melancholy Rose
L'Heure Exquise
O Del Mio Dolce Ardor
Charmed By A Rose
In The City
Get Off My Land
Dite Oime
Bachianas Brasileiras No.5
Maria's Dream (Instrumental)
Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Breathtaking.......2006-12-17

I bought this CD before it was even well-known, though I wonder how many people even know about it right now. This is truly a gem of a find. The fusion of electronica and opera is amazing and the vocals are haunting and beautiful. I have had several friends listen to this CD and all of them fall in love with it, just like I did when I first heard it. I have since bought Operatica: Shine and the more recent Operatica: Christmas Classics and I can truly say I am just as pleased with both follow-up albums. I listen to a variety of music and have a large collection, and this is one of my favourite CDs! Bravo to the creators, composers, vocalist(s) and artists that brought this compilation together.

operatica "o".......2005-09-19

I have this album and think it is unusually beautiful, innovative, a woman with a lovely voice.

Why is she not mentioned or given the credit she deserves, it would appear she is some kind of a secret!

Maureen O'Flynn is only mentioned in the booklet of credits in the jewel case itself, why?
Enter her name in the search in CDNOW and it comes up blank! Why?

First few songs are good, the rest are???.......2004-02-13

First few songs are good, but the rest of the album is no good!

This is the pits. . . the absolute pits.......2003-08-23

Maureen O'Flynn is a perfectly good singer, but whoever thought this "marriage" of opera and pop was a good idea is the same guy that thinks John Tesh is a great composer. People have simply stopped listening seriously to music, and it is a real shame. This recording is for the scrap heap. The accompaniment is cheesier than a big wedge of provolone. There isn't a single live musician in the studio with this young lady. The people who think this is good music are the same ones that aren't bothered by the prospect of a canned sound track in a Broadway show or the "pop stylings" of Charlotte Church. Go out and find some REAL MUSIC, people! It's there if you look. As the great American composer Charles Ives wrote: "Open your ears!"

Adding To My List Of Vices: A Continuation.......2003-05-05

When coupling sounds from two opposing polarities into one another and blending them into the perfect texturization of harmonics, one has to have a few things that fit nicely together in order to succeed. One has to first have a musical stylization that works when placed into an arena that isn't normally associated with its feel, making sure that the seams that could be ripe for the picking aren't taken advantage of. Next, one has to make sure that the voice behind the work, if there is a vocal combination in the work at all, is something that will work smoothly and will not let the vehicle of sense assailment down. Otherwise, the end result is painful and the art, it is merely noise. This is especially true when one is trying to fit a glove on the hand that isn't accustomed to wearing it, making certain that the fit is right and that the end result isn't too rudimentary because something was overlooked.

With Operatica: "O" Volume 1, the components come together fabulously and the seams don't really show at all except on the rarest of occasions (two songs out of eleven by my count, and perhaps that's more beat than anything), throwing a mixture of motions into a vocally moving ocean that would, on many occasions, be seen as items that wouldn't fit together. Here, the beautiful voice of Maureen O'Flynn mixes the operatic sounds I had never truly experienced into a sea of electronic beats, ambient rhythms, speaking pianos, and other vessels to compose the perfect structure. This takes a classical form and introduces it to a world that paints new scenes that couldn't have been painted otherwise, letting its audience ingest a spectrum of thoughts that they wouldn't intake normally. I, myself, was stunned to find that I was instantly addicted to the release, listening to it over and over again and wondering where Opera had been all of my life. Honestly, being a child of electronic music that drifts into heavier organisms of feeling, I never thought I would ever think such thoughts.

For people that can't bridge the span of biases and enjoy items that span gaps in tastes and in sensations, then this wouldn't be something that you would enjoy. There are many things within it, like the work itself, that aren't traditional and that a person looking for the flairless would find flavorless, from the sound clips used as accents to the beats that infest the sounds and make them dance through the mind with zeal. For someone that is looking for something that breaks outside the mundane drum and bass notions of music and that wants to hear an angelic voice pouring through synthetically fashioned skylines, then this might be something you'd look into tasting. Me, I never thought that something like this would find its way into my home, but it did more than that. It actually made me listen to things I hadn't really listened to, liking them for what might amount to a first time.

Ruun
Average customer rating:

5th on my best of 2006 list

Absolutely perfect black metal release.

Mature Viking Metal

Frakking great album!

i can wait to see where this band will go

Ruun
Enslaved
Manufacturer: Candlelight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Adversary

Isa

Below the Lights

Between Two Worlds

Disintegrate

ASIN: B000F1HGW4
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

Entroper
Path to Vanir
Fusion of Sense and Earth
Ruun
Tides of Chaos
Essence
Api-Vat
Heir to the Cosmic Seed

Customer Reviews:

5th on my best of 2006 list.......2007-03-16

Black metal - check.
Viking metal - check.
Progressive metal - check.
Enslaved falls neatly into all three categories, thank you very much. They have been in this "manly" metal business for 16 years, and they know what they are doing. Ruun is their tenth full-length album, and is following "Isa", a disc that many never thought that they could top. If they did not actually surpass the mighty "Isa", they certainly made a great effort, maybe even equaling that work.

I have to give this band the credit they deserve. After being in this business for 16 years, they continue (like Katatonia) to produce quality work. They have allowed themselves to grow, having transcended the confines of black metal, exploring their roots, and successfully honing their talents to the point that the progressive route where they roam today is a perfectly natural environment. This is not an easy task, but this band makes it look easy enough since nothing on this album feels forced.
Singing duties are shared between founding member and bassist Grutle Kjellson, who provides a black metal rasp that is sheer perfection, and the newest member, keyboardist Herbrand Larsen, performs most of the clean vocals. Larsen's vocals are above the norm, nicely performed and his voice is well suited to the style. The combination of these two guys singing/rasping in tandem (as in title track "Ruun" and sixth track choruses of "Essence") is a completely wondrous, nearly visceral experience, and part of what makes this band stand out.

The musicianship is rock-solid throughout, from the lovely bass lines by Grutle on "Entorper", to the angular guitar chorus on the very experimental "Tides of Chaos". I really like the almost purely black metal vibe of seventh track "Api-Vat", the lead guitar solo at the end of this song flows beautifully into the final song "Heir to the Cosmic Seed", a song that just screams the word "progressive", with an instrumental reminiscent of great 70's prog-rock.

Seeing how much I love this album, I am finding it difficult to find anything to say that has not already been said. This album just owns, so you should own it!

I have to mention that I saw them perform live after writing this review. Grutle surprised me by doing a lot of the clean singing himself, and did it well. They delivered an excellent and polished live performance. and they were very "manly". yes, indeed.

Absolutely perfect black metal release. .......2007-03-14

I was introduced to this band by this album, and I can say with one hundread percent ceartainty that this is one of the best metal albums of 2006, and one of the best black metal releases ever. A very atmospheric and textured audio journey, Enslaved's 'Ruun' is a masterpiece in every aspect.

What you have here is far from your standard black metal power chord driven half steps and high pitched shrieking vocals. 'Ruun' is a very melodic and mournful album, that dives into many different themes and styles. From softer acoustic passages and melodic clean vocals, to devestating, yet very beautiful riffage and black metal screams, 'Ruun' keeps the listener successfully alert.

What you won't find here are the beefed up guitar sounds of most black metal acts today. The guitar tone does not drown anything out which is the trend of modern black metal bands, and rather than giving the album a 'hollow' sound due to this old school approach, Enslaved have successfully filled up the space with sheer musical genious. All of the riffs are original, and everything flows together fluidly creating a constantly building and changing atmosphere.

This is a true 'diamond in the rough'. Absolutely essentual to any intelligent metal-head.

Mature Viking Metal.......2007-01-18

"Progressive and mature Viking Metal with Black Metal undertones." I believe that is the best way to describe this album, Ruun, by Norwegian veterans Enslaved. Smoother in tone then their last album, Isa, Ruun portrays the bands member's skill at creating sound-scapes that are aggressive yet melodic. I would recommend this release to anyone who is an aficionado of evolved Metal.

Frakking great album!.......2007-01-14

There are some really dense chords in this album, along with some compound time signatures. The subject matter of this album would make Ronald D. Moore rethink his usage of dramatic devices in his hit SciFi series, "Battlestar Galactica," because it's about a sinking ship.

Also, this is NOT a black metal album. Enslaved hasn't been a black metal band since, like, last century.

Also, this album is better than anything Tool, King Crimson or Dream Theater has ever done, although that's not saying much.

i can wait to see where this band will go.......2006-11-30

NOWHERE THIS CD SUCKS, I TOTALLY HATED IT, IF YOU LIKE LOUSY SOUNDING EVERYTHING DEN BUY IT, BE A DUMMY DUMMY PURPLE PEOPLE EATER DIE DIE DIE

Average customer rating:

Cleaning the Stage Up.
Pushing the limits of Black Metal.
Below the standard (?)
A Hurricane of Cold and Brutal Riffs
Wow

Below the Lights
Enslaved
Manufacturer: The End Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Isa
Ruun
Blodhemn
Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land
Frost

ASIN: B0000950XD
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

As Fire Swept Clean The Earth
The Dead Stare
The Crossing
Queen Of Night
Havenless
Ridicule Swarm
A Darker Place

Album Description

A genuine masterpiece from extreme metal pioneers Enslaved. Pushing the boundaries even further the band portrays elaborate avant-garde and progressive elements making it their most innovative and massive album so far. 2003 album from The End Records.

Customer Reviews:

Cleaning the Stage Up........2006-08-11

Ya, that's right, Enslaved clean the stage up with most bands. Certainly in this genre of music, which has now become symphonic black/viking metal in the musical vision of Enslaved. The amazing aspect of this band is their constant growth. I believe it started with "Below the Lights" and has continued up to "RUNN." Never musically satisfied and always pushing the envelope. Ivar and Arve Isdal's guitar playing is phenominal throughout this record, Grutle's vokill range is amazing, from his croaking raven black metal rasp, to his death growls and superb "clean" singing. Excellent bass player as well. Listen to As Fire swept clean the Earth, The Crossing,Queen of Night, Havenless and the beautiful "Floydish" outro on A Darker Place. The song arrangements are truly impressive. One of my absolute favorite metal bands and could be my most cherished release from Enslaved. If you have never heard this,don't deprive yourself of this musical brilliance. Add to cart, Now.

Pushing the limits of Black Metal. .......2006-02-13

ENSLAVED - Below the Lights
-
[*This is my first introduction to the band*]
From the opening seconds of As `Fire Swept Clean the Earth' I was very attentive. When the Guitar, Bass and Drums came thundering in I was in instantly captivated and by the end of the 6:30 opening track I can safely say this is probably the finest Black Metal I've ever heard. (Granted my BM Experience is limited to say the least.)

I definitely love the Progressive influence... It is heard throughout the entire CD: Seven beautifully dark songs filled with some of the finest song writing I've heard since Opeth.
I'd like to consider myself a big Metal Head... But Black-Metal is genre I've usually steered away from... And I generally viewed it as too One-Dimensional. (With the Exception `Old Man's Child' newest album: Vermin - That album is amazing.) I read one of the reviews saying Enslaved is the Black-Metal `Opeth' and to a certain degree I would have to agree... They are both clearly leading their respective Genre with Talent, Creative, and Progression. Both also blend the use of traditional Metal vocals with actually singing. Sound wise, Enslaved are definitely black metal but blend in lots of other influences. At times I hear hints of the fore mentioned `Opeth' (mainly on the closer: A Darker Place during the slower parts.) I also hear some `Amorphis'. (Specially, on the track Havenless.) or even `Agalloch' (Who also blend Black Metal w/ Prog and Folk influences.) Also I hear many guitar parts that actually sound like they came off a, `King Crimson' or a `Porcupine Tree' CD.

No matter what type of Heavy Progressive you like, I can say with certainty that I am confident you will like Enslaved's Below the Lights CD. It is a powerful journey into the depths of a genre while still pushing the bounds of Black Metal... Atmospheric, beautiful yet at times dark and punishing. At this point I've only given the album 2 spins and I know this album will unfold more and more upon each listen. [ I also picked up their latest `ISA' which is also incredible]

Favorite Songs: The Dead Stare, Queen of the Night, and A Darker Place.
-4.5 Stars

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Below the standard (?).......2005-10-09

this record is good. but something about it holds me back from liking it all the way. i'm not sure what it is. this is the first time an Enslaved record has failed to keep my attention. there are plenty of great songs, but somehow it feels like they are playing it too safe...writing all the songs using the same formula. and when they do try to experiment on this record, it seems awkward and unnecessary (for example, the guitar flute intro to "Queen Of The Night"). in the past, when Enslaved tried new things, it worked well and provided a whole different world of colour and style to their already impressive sound.
most of these songs seem like they are not fully developed and i feel like they are recycling some of their riffs from previous albums. because i am such a huge Enslaved fan, i want to like this album more...but i'm sorry to report that at the time of this writing, i can only appreciate it.

A Hurricane of Cold and Brutal Riffs.......2004-09-02

Enslaved "Below the Lights" is a marriage of noise and beauty. And I don't mean noise in the typical "blast beats and distortion" sense of the word. This is structured, layered, and progressive noise. Arve Isdal creates a landscape of dischordant riffage that seperates Enslaved from countless other 'black' or 'viking metal' band. "Below the Lights" is a polyphonic experience, in which a wall of odd riffs, viking-like and lightning fast drumming, classical influences, ambience, and electronics bombard the listener in a maelstorm of brutal sound. Enslaved have opted not to take the Opeth route where they would seperate these elements into their own sections of the song; rather they throw it all out at once, creating a pummeling sound that is both unrelenting and oddly atmospheric. For seven songs and roughly half an hour Enslaved never produce a dull moment on this album. 'The Crossing' has a great build up of mid-paced riffing and drum cadence only to be completely obliterated by soaring screams and lightning fast riffs the likes of which you have never heard. "Queen of the Night" throws in Nordic-folk and "Havenless" features an awesome Viking chant. This album also features and abundance of what I consider to be very David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) like guitar solos in that they are high pitched, drawn out, and wail with a certain blues element to them.
This album is flawlessy produced and very original; most bands would kill to sound this good on their seventh album. Enslaved have captured the throne which was abandoned by Emperor a few years prior. Bow down Dimmu Borgir, you have been Enslaved.

Wow.......2004-07-03

I wasn't prepared for this album, the first one I've purchased by Enslaved. I expected much more of a black metal sound because these guys were some of the originators of the genre and I'd heard older material. But this is nothing like I expected. For example the first song uses death metal, black metal and clean vocal stylings and the riffs don't fit into any easy classification. The chords used throughout the CD are striking in their harmonic diversity and the song stuctures show a lot of musical maturity. Oh hell they just rip. These guys are creating some new fresh sounds that are punishing in their intensity and retain the emotional resonance of black metal. But they throw in many diverse elements as well. They even use flutes as an intro to one song and damned if it doesn't work. Progressive Viking metal? What the hell do you call this and does it matter? Enslaved obviously have not been content to remain within the confines of black metal but have pushed themselves into creating some very original and brutal music. This is one of the best metal recordings released in the last year.

Average customer rating:

Bloody Conquest
Hail Blodhemn!!
A legend, within the ranks of Emperor and Darkthrone...
Enslaved Unleash More Viking Madness
A Pretty Good Viking Release

Blodhemn
Enslaved
Manufacturer: Osmose
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Frost
Below the Lights
Eld
Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land
Mardraum

ASIN: B00000GBMG
Release Date: 1998-11-16

Tracks:

Intro. 'Audbumla; Birth Of The Worlds'
In Chains Until Ragnarok
Urtical Gods
Ansuz Astral
Nidingaslaki
An Eye For Mimir
Vengeance In Blood
Brisinghamen
Suttungs Mead/Outro 'Perkulator'

Customer Reviews:

Bloody Conquest.......2005-10-09

another outstanding album from these viking kings of Nordic metal. Enslaved is one of the rare bands that have managed to stay solid in their approach to bombastic, brutal, and brillaintly blackened music.

the cosmic strains of "Audhumla. Birth of the Worlds" serves as the intro and it's just a matter of moments until the fury of the second song "I Lenker Til Ragnarok" is unleashed. the first thing i noticed is how the production seems to be a bit cleaned up compared to the Eld album. i like the somewhat misty, murky feel of that record, but Blodhemn's more trebly approach fits the faster tempo and violent nature of these songs. the guitars especially sound meaner and the drumming is more upfront in the mix, giving it all a good "in the midst of bloody battle" feeling. the vocals have always been great with Enslaved, but here they have grown even better. everything from hauntingly clean sung passages, to deathly raspy growls and even a few Slayer-inspired high pitched screams.

Blodhemn seems to be a far more violent ordeal than Enslaved's last 2 proper albums. but their fury is never outblown to the point where it loses impact or runs out of steam. each song stands on it own with a brutal confidence and is overflowing with great songwriting and a creative approach; which makes this album more and more fascinating with each listen. Blodhemn, along with Eld and Mardraum -Beyond The Within- are essential purchases for any Enslaved fan.

Hail Blodhemn!!.......2005-06-24

One of the best musical masterpieces in black metal history. I only wrote this review in the "under 13" because I don't have time to make an account for the other reviews. This being my first Enslaved CD, I was impressed, after listening to it for 2 times I was hooked. Believe me I know black nmetal as much as the next guy, this is true norse/Viking/Norwegianblack metal at it's finest I love Blodhemn it is one of my prized posessions. The lyrics are well-thought out they talk about old viking a.k.a pagan viking gods. Brutal vocals by Ivar, Enslaved stands as the pioneer band in the genre they invented, viking metal. Me being a music lover, of course loved the melodic guitar riffs, brutal vocals and well composed and ambient. If you like quality, original after all they invented viking norse with brutal vocals and harmonic/ambient melodics, buy this awesome masterpiece today!

A legend, within the ranks of Emperor and Darkthrone..........2004-10-29

Don't listen to Andras N0 BRAINS of Denmark, whom has no ear for brilliance. Word to the wise, Andras, do your review in Danish cos' apparently English is not your bag.

Blodhemn is an intensely diverse work of genius. Any musicologist can tell this piece was naturally formulated (not contrived) as documentation of a Neurological breakdown. It casts aside religious malcontent and focuses on logical and historical specifications.

The fierce overtones create a path of enlightenment for myself and others, while quite a vast populous cannot fathom how exhilirating it truly is. The Gregorian-esque chants provide a surrealistic approach to the thematic Mythological aspects. The fact that they still remain true to their native language, mostly, sets them aside from certain outfits that evolved into an English usage such as Dimmu Borgir...

Which is nice for those not fluent in Norwegian and whom are too lazy to translate it, yet it takes away from the nostalgia factor. Dimmu's post-Stormblast efforts are great, but in a less monumental field of vision, respectively. The first 2 hold such great effortless merit on the listeners behalf. All of which must be delightfully in harmony with Satan, otherwise they should go "worship" "Him" and leave musicianship up to the EXPANDING METAL MASSES! (Oh, sweet Glory!)

Anyway, this is pure Blackened Norse Metal at it's most refined, BUY THIS RECORD, and for those that are not fluent in Norwegian, piss off! Or, just go to darklyrics.com and get translations printed out. Up The Irons!

Enslaved Unleash More Viking Madness.......2004-07-23

There's an extraordinary depth to the violence, passion, and beauty on Enslaved's new CD Blodhemn. No current metal band rivals their musical grandeur and unconventionality. Though they project an image of ancient Viking warriors, Enslaved create some of the most intense and innovative metal with Blodhemn, another amazing album in the brutal yet complex tradition. They?ve been part of the Norwegian extreme metal scene since 1992, and musically share similarities with some of their Nordic black metal brethren. It was obvious that there was something incomparable about this trio (now a quartet with the addition of second guitarist R. Kronheim).

As with their last two albums Frost and Eld, Enslaved continue to chart new musical territory with Blodhemn (blood vendetta in Norwegian) with nine opulent metal hymns. Enslaved have trimmed down their usual ten-minute epics to a more concise 40-minute total, most songs being under five minutes. Blodhemn's ferocious musical barrages are tempered by moments of beauty as on the intro song "Sudbumla: Birth of the Worlds," and the slow and melodic finale, "Suttungs Mjog," where bassist/singer Grutle Kjellson uses his melodic baritone to add some passionate vocals (when he's not using his warrior screech). Many claim to be true Viking metal bands, like Amon Amarth and Einherjer, but Enslaved sing in an authentic Viking tongue, wear Viking outfits, and play like possessed Norse warriors. Easily one of my favorite metal albums this year.

A Pretty Good Viking Release.......2002-06-12

This album gets a 4 instead of a 3 because it's amazing opener. Now this isn't a landmark album, an album that everyone should own, but it's a fun listen and I recommend to anyone looking into the Viking genre. This album mostly sounds like some raunchier Immortal stuff with some cool operatic singing here and there. Pretty good stuff. I have to agree with a previous reviewer about how this album sounds somewhat tinny, although Peter Tagtgren produced it (it [a bummer] that Peter is shutting down Abyss studios and is going to stop producing). I don't who does what in the band, so I'm just gonna guess.
The Band:
Dirge Rep, bass and vocals- this guy has some pretty low bass tones in there. Not only is he a good bass player, his screeching vocals go right along with the music. His lyrics are pretty cool too.
Roy, guitars- While Roy's riffs might be intricate, there not all that catchy. That's why this album suffers. But his leads make up for it. They're very beautiful and somehow fit the sometime uninspired guitar riffs. Roy is still a good guitarist though.
Ivar, guitars- Ivar's description is just about the same as Roy's, since I don't know who is the lead guitarist and who's the rhythm, and who writes the songs.
Grutle, drums- While Grutle is a very fast and talented drummer, you don't notice him that much. What I mean by that is that he doesn't make you go "whoa, how'd he do that." He doesn't seem to use a lot of rolls either, but he's pretty cymbal heavy, which I see as a positive attribute.
Overall, this release isn't really worth [the money](I got mine used). But still, Enslaved is a classic band and you should at least give the few first songs a listen.

Average customer rating:

"draw sword...fight with the war god!"
$251.51 for a cd?
SO COLD ITS HOT GREAT VIKING METAL
So cold ...

Frost
Enslaved
Manufacturer: Osmose
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Eld
Blodhemn
Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land
Below the Lights
Monumension

ASIN: B000007018
Release Date: 1994-01-01

Tracks:

Frost
Loke
Fenris
Svarte Vidder
Yggdrasil
Jotunblod
Gylfaginning
Wotan
Isoders Dronning

Customer Reviews:

"draw sword...fight with the war god!".......2005-10-07

there's only a handful of bands that get me as excited as Enslaved! they combine blazing fast drumming with excellent and memorable riffs to create the ultimate in destructive and majestic Viking metal! they write amazingly epic songs of apocalyptic battles fought on misty shores and distant mountains; with an emphasis on violence, bloodshed, and an affiliation with ancient Norse gods. all things in the true Viking spirit, then.
the music on Frost is usually blindingly fast and raw, but with lots of subtle touches that add a dark flourish to the proceedings and keep it interesting for the listener. there are a few keyboard passages popping up for atmospheric effect and even a mouthharp makes an appearance! but even with all these different elements, Enslaved's music remains rooted in the frozen mystical metal world. a world where a thirst for blood and conquest rule, and where victory awaits!

$251.51 for a cd?.......2004-11-25

I think Enslaved are an amazing band, I highly recommend all their work, but unless they plan on delivering the cd via viking long boat themselves, that price is a bit too steep.

I'll assume the price is in error, and this is my half-assed attempt at humor.

So, once it's fixed do yourselves a favor and order it.

SO COLD ITS HOT GREAT VIKING METAL.......2000-01-14

awesome band enslaved are truly breathtaking music great atmosphreic instrumentation on frost..the son yggdrasil is a norwegian folk song style lyrics great.really cool like i said before one enslaved album you here you will be prompt to buy others and this one is excellent.not black metal form of it viking metal its excellent they started the whole viking metal.enslaved are gods hail ...there songs are so great frost ,loke ,jotunblod,wotan....freezing cold so cold its hot excellent metal band of high quality..buy buy buyl ....all metal heads neeed to have enslaved to be happy if you want to be :) buy this.

So cold ..........1999-08-04

One of the first album of Enslaved, deep in norwegian mountains, very cold, true viking metal !

Average customer rating:

Pretty good!
Dark, dismal and atmospheric
Haven't really been into BM in a while...
Ascension to new heights.
Isa

Isa
Enslaved
Manufacturer: Candlelight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Below the Lights
Ruun
Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land
The Adversary
Blodhemn

ASIN: B0006UMRKK
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

Intro Green Reflection
Lunar Force
Isa
Ascension
Bounded by Allegiance
Violet Dawning
Return to Yggdrasill
Secrets of the Flesh (Instr.)
Reogenesis
Outro: 'Communion' (Excerpt)

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good!.......2006-07-12

I had lost interest in Enslaved for a long time so when this album came out I didn't pay much attention to it. I saw it one day at a record store and decided to give it a chance. At first glance this doesn't sound much like the old Enslaved but is more similar to bands like Borknagar (which is not bad at all). The songs consist of black metal riffs accompanied with a lot of melody. The vocals are sometimes black metal rasps and others clean sung. This album never fails to catch your attention and it's a very rewarding listen.

Dark, dismal and atmospheric .......2006-04-08

I haven't heard all Enslaved albums, but of those I've heard, Isa strikes me as their most challenging and absorbing. Their songwriting is heightened to levels the band never reached before, with a broader vision of combining their roots of Norwegian black metal with more progressive elements. With Isa, Enslaved have set themselves apart from most other Viking black metal acts, utilising varied guitar riffs that border on avant-garde at times, both black and death vocals, as well as clean-sung deep voices, and perfectly nuanced synth work. Dennis Reksten's keyboard playing on the album is thorough and lends it a very distinct atmospheric vibe.

There are several guests on this album, all contributing to its diversity and success. After a dark intro and the first song "Lunar Force", highlighted by excellent black shrieks, pummeling drums, great breaks, varied soundscapes that even touch on electronica; the title track is presented with unexpected clean vocals and screams mixed. A bit like the last Arcturus album, the song features Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone, who also appears on the longer and more atmospheric "Bounded by Allegiance". This is a song where ominous synths are married with crushing riffs, plenty of time changes, and chanting vocals that recall the mid-90's beauty and the best type of bands where the male growlers started doing gothic vocals. However, it's not too long before black screams take the lead until a bluesy rock solo emerges out of nowhere, adding to the diversity of the album. There are so many aspects of Isa that characterize its sound. From drawn-out instrumental passages (best heard on "Reogenesis") with fearless blues licks to cold, dismal black metal experimentations and cinematic elements.

"Ascension" is possibly the broadest track on the album, guesting both Ofu Kahn of Red Harvest and country singer Stig Standbakk. Standbakk's vocals are amazing, providing a good contrast to the heavier, more extreme singing; but it's also the hammering drums and fierce guitar riffs that render this cut more interesting than the others. Stanbakk also sings on the acoustic-driven track "Return to Yggdrasill", with occasional extreme vocals and electric leads, and probably the best drumming on the albm. "Secrets of the Flesh" is a great instrumental, loaded with lots of interesting sounds and oddly-timed signatures.

All put together, the songs make up Isa, one of the best Enslaved albums, if not the best. It should be in your interest to check out both Arcturus and Akercocke's latest albums for similarly multi-textured, diverse tracks encompassing elements of death, black, prog, and even avant-garde.

Haven't really been into BM in a while..........2006-04-05

But this could very well bring me back in, at least to some of the more prog'ish bands. This album is awesome, tons of atmosphere, tons of rock and very progressive and of course plenty of those Black metal notes. Most likely the best Black Metal band out there today, or at least one that's aging well.

Ascension to new heights. .......2006-02-16

ENSLAVED - Isa
-
Continuing in the steps of `Below the Lights', Enslaved return with another progressive, black-metal masterpiece. Seldom do I do play by play of the tracks, but this album more then deserves and accurate description.

After the opening intro the album launches into Lunar Force, a song with trance-inducing guitar riffs, precise drumming and subtle piano with tortured screams adding the sense of urgency... The song gracefully progresses to the five minute mark then is followed by about 40 seconds of eerie synth feedback, then slams aggressively back into the opening riff then fades out with some beautiful piano patterns.
The title track, Isa has a similar hypnotic guitar pattern, yet this time blending the screams with some clean channel vocals... A very passionate track for being a little over 3:30.
Ascension opens with some odd ambience and by the 1:15 mark sounds like King Crimson has gone Black Metal. (I believe I even heard some tambourine...) Singing is strong in this track, sounding at times almost like Mike Patton from the darker FNM days.
Bounded by Allegiance opens brilliantly with organ, chugging guitars, and building drum beat. The 2 minute intro flows into a subtle softer part before unleashing some older influenced melodic, black metal. This song continually progresses with lots of variations (Both faster and slower) throughout this track and even throws a classic prog guitar solo to close out this track.
Violent Dawning is a furious track, likely the most consistently fast track on the album. It showcases some really nice drum work, both kickers and his symbol work. Also for being such an aggressive track they do not forget the dark melodic beauty... The last 0:40 with the haunting vocals and keys sounds amazing. (One of the most moving parts on the album...)
Enslaved is has a knack at grabbing your attention right from the get-go, Track 7, Return to Yggdrasil, is no exception. Opening with powerful riffs and venomous vocals, however by one minute into the song it has quickly unfolded into dark majestic beauty. Overall a very beautiful track...
Secrets of the Flesh opens with a very progressive rock sounding riff with what sounds like wind blowing (Creates a really cool atmosphere...) This riff builds for the majority of this track, staying instrumental throughout the 3:40.
The 12 minute Reogenesis is the magnum opus of the album, opening with some softer beauty before going into a powerful, old-school BM riff. This songs flows and builds throughout the entire 12 minutes... showing as much beauty as brutality and is filled with some great guitar work... This fades into the outro track which is just shy of one minute.

Amazing Album from start to finish easily on of the Top Metal Releases in 2005 (looks like I will have to update my Best of 2005 list)
Though Black-Metal is a genre I'm really just beginning to explore I can tell you that this CD is so much more... At times reminding me of Amorphis or maybe even Katatonia. Also, they are comparable to the genre-bending Opeth, though they really sound nothing alike.

Just some food for thought but I wonder if they could get Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree) to produce their next album.
[Actually I just read the other day they just completed recording their latest album which I believe is going to be called `Ruun' which I think is coming out in May?]

Favorite Songs: Violent Dawning, Ascension, Lunar Force and Reogenesis
-5 Star

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Isa.......2006-02-11

Enslaved bring a lot to the table with their latest offering. Here we have an incredibly dark album that is still so full of color. The introduction sets the atmosphere for what you're about to get yourself into. There is some very soft humming for a few seconds and suddenly it kicks into a mid-paced riff with tortured screeching. It builds up for a minute then pummels you with a powerful wall of sound. Doesn't that sound dramatic? This album is chock full of drama. I almost feel safe to compare some moments of this to Ulver's first album. I know a lot of purists who would disagree with that statement, but the musicianship is there with Enslaved. These guys are good. If you're ready to see the lengths Black Metal can be taken to, by all means, pick this up.

Average customer rating:

Newcomer to the genre
dont even bother
Excellent Viking Metal
"We behold the kingdom of the Hammer."

Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land
Enslaved
Manufacturer: Candlelight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Frost
Below the Lights
Blodhemn
Eld
Isa

ASIN: B0002FR0EC
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Lifandi Lif Undir Hamri
Vetrarn
Midgards Eldar
Heimdallr
Norvegr

Tracks:

Slaget I Skogen Bortenfor
Allfadr Odinn
Balfar

Customer Reviews:

Newcomer to the genre.......2005-05-10

Wow! I haven't really listened to metal since the days of Venom and Possessed but these guys are dragging me back in!! Yes, this is pretty much Viking, Black Metal but the "attack" is much more varied than most of the bands I've heard. Parts of this veer closer to prog rock. If you like Opeth (who doesn't) but want darker lyrics then you should check this out.

dont even bother.......2005-05-05

long story short this is plain generic material by a band that doesn't receive any airplay on trl or the radio no wonder these guys aren't as famous as the more highly acclaimed acts such as Bleeding Through and As hope dies those bands actually have varying qualities to them whereas this band just struggles on everything. bottom line don't bother checking this garbage out and stick with metalcore, nu-metal, pop and rap

Excellent Viking Metal.......2005-03-11

This album is amazing. There may be only five songs but they are all spectacular, epic masterpieces. Although this does get categorized as Black Metal, thematically it focuses more on true paganism than the satanic paganism that many Black Metal bands focus on. This is probably why the phrase "viking metal" was coined to desribe this.
The album is quite long for the number of songs (an average of 10 minutes per song) and the band's style is also quite repetitive. What makes this album work are the varying guitar and synth melodies that hide underneath the wall of guitars. This allows repeated passages to grow grander with each repetition.
My personal favourites are "Vetrarnott" and "Norvegr", the former because its wonderful vitality is so empowering and the latter because of its beautiful, sorrowful melodies.
I haven't gives Hordanes Land as much time and although it is good "Vikingligr Veldi" is the real star of this compilation.
Metalheads, buy this NOW!

"We behold the kingdom of the Hammer.".......2004-12-30

Enslaved is (basically) one of the rare black metal band that has changed a lot without cheapening themselves. Everything I have heard by them has been great thus far. This set includes both _Hordanes Land_ and Enslaved's debut, the earliest of stuff.

Enslaved writes essentially kinetic black metal about Viking myth and lore, equally aggressive, savage, and glorious. The band dominated their split CD with Emperor (_Hordanes Land_ with _Wrath of the Tyrant_). Their epic, soaring "Viking metal" was brutally evocative and they improved on the essential template with their first full-length, _Vikingligr veldi_.

The songs are on average about 10 minutes in length, and Enslaved uses that length to orchestrate tension and release more richly. Musically, they are comparable to black metal, with thick, buzzsaw soundwalls, sometimes complemented by synths, and.with some fierce major key constructions. The songs are highly imaginative and well-suited to their subject matter (on some metaphysical level). My favorite is "Vetrarnot", because of its incredibly haunting, shimmering melodies amidst furious storms of blitzkrieg black metal. "Norvegr" is the magestic, climactic instrumental closer, and "Midgards Eldard" can only be described as the metal war march of a God.

I listen to _Vikingligr Veldi_ way more than _Hordanes Land_, but both are definitely worth having. This is an A-grade compilation.

Average customer rating:

Excellent music, BUT....

Monumension
Enslaved
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
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Eld
Blodhemn
Mardraum
Below the Lights
Frost

ASIN: B00005R1KS
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

Convoys to Nothingness
Voices
Vision: Sphere of the Elements -- A Monument, Pt. 2
Hollow Inside
Cromlech Gate
Enemy I
Smirr
Sleep: Floating Diversity -- A Monument, Pt. 3
Outro: Self -- Zero

Album Description

2001 album from the Norwegian progressive black metallers. 8 tracks including 'Cowboys To Nothingness', 'The Voices' & 'Hollow Inside'. Packaged in a standard jewel case in a slipcase. Osmose Productions.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent music, BUT...........2002-03-19

...the (expletives deleted) over at Osmose Productions have decided to make this disc copy-protected without labeling it such anywhere. This means you can listen to the disc only on "real" CD players (stereo equipment, DiscMan, etc.) but not on a CD-ROM drive attached to a computer...

That said, I have to say I'm very impressed with this album. I realize I'm in the minority when I say that "Mardraum" left me cold (and not in the good way that "Frost" leaves me chilled!). I absolutely hate thick, sludgy guitars where you can't tell what note or chord they're playing... and "Mardraum" was chock full of that kind of playing... But I'm pleased to report that the melodic and atmospheric guitar playing that made Enslaved's early work great is back in force on "Monumension." Not to say that the songwriting style is a regression to older days -- far from it! The psychedelic element that was hinted at in "Blodhemn" ("Ansuz Astral") and properly introduced on "Mardraum" ("Entrance Escape") has finally matured and sounds,paradoxically, much less experimental -- it sounds deliberate, structured, and composed, to breathtaking effect. This album ROCKS, but not in the "I'm a witless headbanger" way that albums are said to rock...The vocals have also changed -- Grutle has supplemented his impressive grim scream with a deep death-metal grunt. The only thing I'm less than pleased about is that, except for the last track (an amazing choral chant based on a 9th-century epic poem from the Faroe Islands), all the lyrics are in English. But them's the breaks.

Mardraum
Average customer rating:
Mardraum
Enslaved
Manufacturer: Osmose Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Eld

Blodhemn

Monumension

Frost

Vikingligr Veldi/Hordanes Land

ASIN: B00004YTYY
Release Date: 2000-10-02

Tracks:

Larger Than Time -- Heavier Than Night [Storrr Enn Tid- Tyngre Enn Nat]
Deadhymn/ Dandnigekvida
Inngang-Flukt [Entrance-Escape]
Hive [Ormgaro]
Aege's Dream [es Oraum]
Nightmare [Mardraun]
Ending Empire [Det Endelege Riket]
Hive 2 -- Strangled by Purity [Ormgaro 2-Kvalt I Kysk Bogsong]
Warrior Unkown [Krigaren Eg Ikkje Kjende]
Starhome [Stjerneheimen]
Freya's Necklace [Froyas Smykke]

Album Details

Melody Combined with Pure Violence!

Average customer rating:

Rosa Ponselle Prima Voce
Avatar or envoy of gods
The most ravishing soprano voice. Ever.
The richest, most beautiful voice in history!
Callas was correct...

Ponselle Prima Voce

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ponselle, Rosa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ponselle, Vol. 2
Ponselle, Vol. 3
Galli-Curci: Prima Voce
Luisa Tetrazzini, Vol.2
Divas 1906-35

ASIN: B0000037J6
Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

La Gioconda: Suicidio
Otello: The Willow Song
Otello: Ave Maria
Aida: Qui Radames Vera!...O Patria Mia
Aida: Pur Ti Riveggo - Rosa Ponselle/Giovanni Martinelli
Ernani: Surta E La Notte...Ernani, Involami
La Vestale: Tu Che Invoco
La Vestale: O Nume Tutelar
La Forza Del Destino: Alzatevi...La Vergine Degli Angeli - Rosa Ponselle/Ezio Pinza
Norma: Sediziose Voci...Casta Diva
Norma: Mira, O Norma
Carme
Maria, Mari!
On Wings Of Dream
The Nightingale And The Rose
A Perfect Day

Customer Reviews:

Rosa Ponselle Prima Voce.......2006-03-18

These are old recordings, but great from the standpoint that it is the only way we can hear an almost faithful representation of her great voice.

It is a very fine selection of opera arias.

Albert C. Ruocchio

Avatar or envoy of gods.......2006-02-14

Nasal ringing sound, like one of Caruso, Bechi but better. Frequent intrusions into men's repertoire ('Song of Indian merchant', 'In questa tomba oscura', 'Tre giorni son che Nina', 'Der Tod und das Madchen', etc).
Best singer, best voice.
Early retirement because of higher nasal impedance.

The most ravishing soprano voice. Ever........2005-08-23

Many would argue that this was the most beautiful soprano voice ever - or at least ever recorded. And it's a strong argument. Such richness, such depth, such warmth, such glorious freedom, such security - who else, before or since, can match them. Destinn? A bit blousy. Boninsegna? The voice changes through the passagio. Rethberg? Close, but no cigar. Tebaldi? A bit shrill by comparison. Callas? Dramatic, yes, but beautiful, I don't think so. Gheorgiu? Good by today's standards, but no contest.

No, this thick double-cream stream of tone is something to relish, to sit back and just enjoy. Try her 'Casta Diva' or 'Un bel di' to see how it feels when you approach every high note with joyous anticipation and not with the prospect of a wince (cf. Callas). The Nile aria from Aida is as near perfection as we have any right to expect this side of Opera Heaven - a wondrous piano high C. And on these discs you will also find one of my all-time favourite records - La Vergine degli Angeli from La Forza del Destino where you get, not only Ponselle's wondrous soprano at the top, but also her bass equivalent, Ezio Pinza, below. Two wonderful voices for the price of one.

The Nimbus sound, achieved by recording what actually emerges from the record into a room rather than directly off the shellac, is not to everyone's taste. But it is to mine. It allows the singer's voice to develop and bloom and sound, to my ears, very natural.

The richest, most beautiful voice in history!.......2004-02-10

More beautiful than Caballe and Sutherland combined! A voice like a gleaming red ruby, the greatest lirico spinto of the century. Her Verdi-recordings have found their equals only in Callas' insightful performances but she did not quite possess the creamy, gleaming luxury timbre that Ponselle had. Being reported as one of the biggest voice in history (On occasions she drowned out Titta Ruffo!!!!) she will dazzle you like only Callas could afterwards. She debuted as Leonora in Forza in her teens (I think she was 18) with Caruso as Don Alvaro and made operatic history. Her Gioconda was as legendary as her Giulia (Vestale), repertoire only to be sung by Callas to the same perfection. Her brilliant Aida puts most others to shame, as do both of her Leonoras. Two complete opera-recordings with her exist: La Traviata and Carmen. Get them both and be charmed by the most gorgeous voice in history!

Callas was correct..........2002-11-19

When I read that Maria Callas credited Rosa Ponselle as her vocal idol and only inspiration, the first thought I had was that if a soprano as great as Callas said this, is because it should be true. When I bought this CD I proved the affirmation was correct: you only have to hear Rosa Ponselle's voice and verify that she is one the best sopranos of the century, and why her voice was the inspiration of many Callas's roles, including Norma, La Gioconda and La vestale. The sound quality of this CD is incredible if we consider that the recordings dates from the 1920's

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