The story started in 1992 when V'gandr and H'grimnir had the mutual idea of creating extreme metal music. But metal cannot be made without someone to fill the drumchair, and soon after Hrymr came along to somplete the band. Already from the very beginning Helheim had high ambitions, and even without much experience they weren't afraid to enter the stage. They played several festivals in Bergen just to get live experience from the start.
In the mid of 1993 Nidhogg joined Helheim, and now they felt a demo should see the light of day. The summer went by, and in the fall the same year they released their debut demo simply entitled "Helheim". The demo never made its way outside the borderlines of Norway as the band realized that the released material simply wasn't good enough.
Soon after they started writing new and more innovative material for their upcoming demo. It was at this point Nidhogg left the band as he wasn't willing to sell his soul to Helheim. In mid 1994 "Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr" (Netherwards and Northwards lies Helheim) saw the first ray of light, and it was at this point that the german label Solistitium records (now Millenium music) got in touch with Helheim.
The band signed a two record deal contract, and released their debut CD "Jormundgand" (The Midgard Serpent) recorded in Grieghallen in 1995, and followed up with an european tour in 1996. After the return from the tour Helheim immediately started working on new material for the epic follow up "Av Norrøn Ætt" (Of Norse Lineage) which turned out to be very different from the debut despite for the fact that both werel recorded in Grieghallen.
In 1999 Ars Metalli got in touch with Helheim for a one album contract. Even though the label were of a highly underground character Helheim still decided to give them a try. It was at this point Lindheim (synth) and Thorbjørn (lead guitar) joined forces with the band to strenghtening the circle. In search of a different sound they went to the fresh producer Odd Kronheim in S.J.E.F. studio and recorded the MCD "Terrorveldet" (The realm of terror) and the full lenght "Blod & Ild" (Blood and Fire), which both harvested really good critics in the world press. Helheim also took the brave move in recording a music video for the track "Jernskogen" (The Ironforest).
In 2001 the MCD "Helsviti" (Hels punishment) was recorded, this time Helheim returned to good old Pytten in Grieghallen to once again make history. Unfortunately the MCD was not to be released on Ars Metalli since they somehow stopped communicating with the band.
The next move from Helheim was the full length Yersinia Pestis, once again Recorded and produced by Pytten in Grieghallen. Massacre records took the responsibility of releasing and promoting this album. The album got fantastic critics, but did not sell as much as previous albums outside of Norway, much due to a lousy promotion job done by Massacre. But, neverthekess, the album proved to be the major breakthrough for Helheim in Norway, an important issue for the band. Massacre also signed a contract to Release the MCD "Helsviti" from 2001, a promise they chose not to keep.
Unfortunately Lindheim chose to leave the band in 2005. Helheim applauds his contributions which can especially be heard on Yersinia Pestis, where Stones to Burden is a proof of his skills.
In 2006 Helheim again has a new album on the stairs, "The Journeys and Experiences of Death". This time a concept album regarding the death cults and the belives the Vikings had surrounding death is presented. The album is a continous travel through some of these visions. For the 2000 first copies, the album is sold as a Double Digipack with the MCD "Helsviti" as a bonus Disc. The local record label Dark Essence Records believes in Helheim, and Helheim believes in Northern forces.
Helheim (Nor)
Genre(s)
Viking/Black Metal
Lyrical theme(s)
Norse mythology
Origin Formed in Current label Status
Norway (Bergen) 1992 Dark Essence Records/Century Media Active
Current line-up
H'grimnir - Vocals, Guitar (1992-)
Noralf "Reichborn" Venås - Guitar (2008-) (Syrach)
Ørjan "V'gandr" Nordvik - Bass, Vocals (1992-) (Deathcon, Taake, Aeternus (Nor), Ravengod) Frode "Hrymr" Rødsjø - Drums, Programming (1992-) (Syrach)
Former/past member(s)
Guitar:
Rune "Nidhogg" Bjelland (1993-1994) (Einherjer)
Thorbjørn (1999-2008)
Keyboards:
Lars "Lindheim" Skulstad (1999-2005)
Additional notes
Not to be confused with Helheim (Nor).
H'grimnir is the contraction of Hrimgrimnir and V'gandr is the one of Vanargandr (full names are used on "Av Norrøn Ætt" and older releases).
Lindheim and Thorbjørn joined Helheim in 1999 for the "Terrorveldet" EP.
Other releases:
Split preview tape (two tracks from the "Jormundgand" album) with Nattvindens Gråt (two tracks from the "A Bard's Tale" album).
DISCOGRAPHY
Unreleased:
"Helsviti" EP 2001 (was originally planned on Massacre Records in 2001, but this never happened. It was included in the limited edition digipak of "The Journeys And The Experiences Of Death" as a bonus CD.)
Helheim (Nor) - Helheim
1993
Line-up:
H'grimnir - Vocals, Guitars
Nidhogg - Guitars
V'gandr - Bass, Vocals
Hrymr - Drums
1. Inn I Døden Vandren 01:03
2. My Deathlike Cries From The Grave 05:10
3. My Wrath is Unleashed... 00:34
4. ...And The Pandemonium Has Inflamed 06:20
5. Through Forests Deep And Cold 01:07
6. A Forgotten Oath In The Arms Of Satanas 06:13
7. Countess Bathory (Venom cover) 03:34
Total playing time 24:01
Helheim (Nor) - Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr
1994
Re-released in 1995 on tape with different cover by Baron Rec.
Re-released in 2005 on CD and brown LP (ltd. 1000 copies) by Perverted Taste.
"Jotne Vandring" was later re-arranged and re-recorded to be used on the Jormundgand album using the songtile "Jotnevandring". "Gravlagt I Eljudne" was also re-recorded for that album, but it kept the same title.
1. Muspiili Strid 02:59
2. Blandt Ulvenes Frender Og Kråkenes Trær 04:05
3. Jotne Vandring 02:27
4. Under The Norse Sky 06:37
5. De Kalde Marker Av Slag Fortapt 09:40
6. Drømmedans 01:10
7. Gravlagt I Eljudne 09:55
8. Gjennom Mørke Og Tåke 12:11
Total playing time 47:21
Helheim (Nor) - Jormundgand
1995
CD bonus track:
8. Galder (03:15)
The limited LP version has different artwork and a different track listing:
1. Nidr ok Nordr Liggr Helvegr
2. Nattravnens Tokt
3. Jormundgand
4. Vigrids Vård
5. Gravlagt i Eljudne
6. Svart Visdom
7. Jotnevandring
Re-released on Digipack on November 13th 2006 by Dark Essence Records
Re-released on tape by Frostscald Records in 2008
1. Jormundgand 07:47
2. Vigrids Vård 08:14
3. Nidr Ok Nordr Liggr Helvegr 04:28
4. Gravlagt I Eljudne 08:45
5. Svart Visdom 09:06
6. Jotnevandring 02:26
7. Nattravnens Tokt 05:10
Total playing time 45:56
Helheim (Nor) - Av Norrøn Ætt
1997
Guest musicians:
Haldis - Violin
Belinda - Soprano voice and trumpet
Re-released on Digipack on November 13th 2006 by Dark Essence Records.
Re-released on tape by Bestial Records in 2002.
Re-released on tape by Frostscald Records in 2008
1. En Forgangen Tid 02:54
2. Vinterdøden 10:18
3. Fra Ginnunga-gap Til Evig Tid 06:50
4. Mørk, Evig Vinter 09:25
5. Åpenbaringens Natt 07:24
6. De Eteriske Åndevesenes Skumringsdans 08:45
7. Av Norrøn Ætt 09:34
Total playing time 55:16
Helheim (Nor) - Blod & Ild
2000
Contains CD-Rom video Clip "Jernskogen"
Reissued on digi CD by Dark Essence in 2008.
This edition includes tracks from Terrorveldet MCD:
1. Helheim (Part I) (04:31)
2. Jernskogen (MCD Version) (04:38)
3. Cosmic Winter (05:45)
1. Blod & Ild 04:55
2. Evig 04:06
3. Helheim (Part II) 02:13
4. Jernskogen 03:44
5. Åsgårdsreien 04:18
6. Kjenn Din Fiende 06:14
7. Odins Møy 04:29
8. Terrorveldet 06:58
9. Yme 02:44
Total playing time 39:41
Helheim (Nor) - Yersinia Pestis
March 28th, 2003
The title is the name of the bacteria that rode the backs of the rats that infested Europe in the midst of the 14th century.
Hrymr - drums & programming
H'grimnir - vocals and guitar
Lindheim - synth, programming & guitar
Thorbjørn - guitar
V'gandr - vocals & bass
Yerisnia pestis was recorded Feb-June 2002 in Grieghallen Studio
Produced and mixed by Pytten and Helheim
Engineered by Pyten and Davide
Voice on Helheim4 by A. Jørgensen
Bandphotos by C. Misje
Artwork and design by Coverart.no
Reissued on digi-CD by Dark Essence in 2008.
This edition includes some bonus live tracks:
11. Helheim 2 (Live) (02:13)
12. Jernskogen (Live) (03:48)
13. Nattravnens Tokt (Live) (04:41)
14. Stones to the Burden (Live) (04:23)
1. Helheim 4 01:32
2. Yersinia Pestis 05:37
3. Stones To The Burden 04:16
4. Sinners Wake 03:43
5. Elde 05:35
6. Warlot 05:34
7. Den Glemte Lov 04:15
8. God of Slander 03:24
9. Iron Icon 9 03:50
10. Hjelmstorm 04:31
Total playing time 42:17
Helheim (Nor) - The Journeys and the Experiences of Death
June 12th, 2006
Features guest appearances by ROOT vocalist Jiri Valter on two songs and Marius Lynghjem from CORVINE.
The Deluxe 2CD DigiPack Version comes with the "Helsviti" EP as the bonus disc.
The EP was recorded in 2001 but never officially released until now.
"Helsviti" (CD2) tracklist:
1. Helsviti (03:54)
2. Hnigin Er Helgrind (Helgate Is Open) (04:00)
3. Helheim 3 (01:58)
4. Warriors Hour (03:25)
5. Forfallet (04:47)
1. Veneration For The Dead 04:47
2. Dead Man's Eyes 03:41
3. Bewitchment 05:55
4. Second Death 05:56
5. Entering The Beast 03:01
6. Helheim 5 03:23
7. Oaken Dragons 09:10
8. Thirteen To The Perished 05:03
9. The Thrall And The Master 06:36
Total playing time 47:32
Helheim (Nor) - Kaoskult
March 17th, 2008
Recording line-up:
V'gandr - Bass & Vocals
H'grimnir - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Thorbjørn - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Lindheim - Keyboards
Hrymr - Drums & Programming
Guest artists:
Rolf Royce - Vocals
Bjørnar Nilsen - Vocals
Marius Lynghjem - Vocals & Programming
Recorded in Conclave Studio
Engineered by Bjørnar Nilsen & Helheim.
Bonus Track:
10. Krefter av Orden, Destruksjon og Kaos (04:19)
The backcover of the CD shows switches the order of tracks 7 and 8. The tracklist as shown below is correct.
1. Det Norrøne Alter 05:19
2. Northern Forces 04:17
3. Om Smerte og Liv 07:32
4. Om Tilblivelsen av Gapende Tomhet 03:31
5. Helheim 6 02:50
6. Åndevind 06:07
7. Symboler, Fremover og Bakover 03:07
8. Altered Through Ages 03:25
9. Svart Seid 04:45
Total playing time 40:53
Helheim (Nor) - Åsgårds Fall
November 1st, 2010
Recorded at the Conclave and Earshot Studio in Bergen. Produced by Helheim and Bjornar Nilsen (Vulture Industries, Black Hole Generator), and was mastered by Herbrand Larsen (Enslaved, Audrey Horne).
Guest members:
Hoest - Vocals
Gunnar Emmerhoff - Vocals
PV - Vocals
Trine Mjanger - French horn
“Åsgards Fall” offers two complete new and epic tracks which will only be found on this release. In addition, the release offers the song “Dualitet og Ulver” from the forthcoming album “Heiðenðomr ok motgangr” (out February 2011), as well as a re-recording of their classic track “Jernskogen” (originally from the “Blod & Ild” album).
1. Åsgards Fall, Pt. I 09:28
2. Åsgards Fall (Interlude) 02:09
3. Åsgards Fall, Pt. II 12:02
4. Helheim, Pt. VII 01:04
5. Dualitet Og Ulver 04:35
6. Jernskogen (2010 Version) 04:13
Total playing time 33:31
“Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr” will be HELHEIM’s seventh full-length album, and it follows on last November’s release of the MCD "Åsgards Fall", which served as an introduction to the new album. Recorded at Conclave and Earshot Studio in Bergen with producer Bjørnar Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the helm and mastered by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED), the nine-track album includes guest appearances from TAAKE’s Hoest, Gunnar Emmerhoff (EMMERHOFF & THE MELANCHONY BABIES), PV Staff and Trine Mjanger. The first edition of “Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr” will include a bonus-DVD containing concerts from the 2009 With Full Force and Inferno Festivals, as well as the videos for ”Dualitet og Ulver”, ”Stones To The Burden” and ”Jernskogen”.
Due for release in Norway on the 1st of April and world-wide on the 23rd of May, “Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr” will be the band’s first release to be sung entirely in Norwegian since ”Blod og ild” in 2000. Commenting on the track that the band will debut, V’gandr explained: “Viten og Mot (Stolthet)” means Knowledge and Courage (Pride). It is one of four lyrics on the album that are based on the words of Odin (Håvamål). Stolthet (Pride) is about preparing yourself to meet your enemies armed with both wisdom and skill. It’s about looking your enemies straight in the eyes and showing them who you are, rather than looking towards the heavens for protection or guidance. In the long run we are all alone and only through Knowledge, Courage and Pride can we achieve our goals”.
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