Band: Enslaved

Although Bathory might have created this style on albums like "Hammerheart", Enslaved have been the first to come up with the term "Viking Metal". Musically their albums up to "Bloodhemn" sound very much like raw black metal to my ears but over the years they´ve used an imagery, lyrics and some musical elements like clean, chanted vocals which might justify a distinction. On their last two albums, "Mardraum" and "Monumension" they have succesfully introduced new elements into their sound and while still remaining heavy and metallic they sometimes come across like black metal meets early, trippy Pink Floyd. Enslaved might have lost most fans of their earlier work this way but have certainly managed to remain relevant and interesting without selling out.