HORDANES LAND

This is Enslaved's first real mini lp and it's with this raging beacon of vikinging metal that grabbed the attention of the metal worldl Hordane's Land is some primitive black metal that's taken to a new level by the simplistic yet eerily evocative keyboards. These guys were hardly out of the gate (and still in their teens) on this disc and they were already making major waves and crafting a sound unlike any black metal band from Norway or anywhere else in the world.

The first track Slaget I Skogen Bortenfor is a firestorm of Bathoryesque proportions that is crude but benefits from the added keys and melodic breakdowns that give us a bit of tranquility within the brutal blizzard. Also, it clocks in at 13 minutes and is broken up into 3 movements. It was my first exposure to Enslaved and has left an indelible mark upon me.

Next is Allfadr Odhinn which is a more "traditional" old school black metal track more in the vein of Bathory than Slaget with a more moderate pace. Its certainly not Enslaved's most exciting tracks but is still good nontheless.

Finally, Balfor / Andi Fara / Epilog reveals Enslaved's prog inclinations. At nearly 10 minutes of instrumental art, these Norwegians utilize unique, non-black metal chords and phrasings and plenty of time signature changes. To think that they were so young and already unleashing their brand of complex metal is amazing.

Overall, this is only essential to Enslaved fans and black/viking metal completists. Their best was still yet to be unleashed.