Einherjer
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Einherjer was formed in January 1993 by Frode Glesnes (Guitar) and Gerhard Storesund (Drums). Based in Haugesund, a small town at the west coast of Norway.
THE NAME... The name Einherjer is taken from the Norse mythology, Einherjer is a vikings life after death. When a viking was slained in battle, he was brought up to Valhalla by the Valkyries, for then to join the army of Einherjers and join the Gods in their clash against the Giants in the age of Ragnarok.
THE FIRST RECORDINGS Einherjer entered the studio for the first time in December 1993, to record the demo "Aurora Borealis". The line-up was Grimar (Frode) - guitar, Ulvar (Gerhard) - drums, Nidhogg (Rune Bjelland) - vocals and Thonar (Audun Wold) - bass & synth. "Aurora Borealis" was very well received by the underground metal scene and is today regarded as a cult-release within the genre. The demo lead to a deal with Necromantic Gallery Prod./Damnation Dist. Einherjer entered the studio for the second time in May 1994 to record seven inch "Leve Vikingånden". As the demo, the seven inches was well received by the underground scene and as the demo, it soon gained a cult-status.
DRAGONS OF THE NORTH / FAR FAR NORTH After the release of "Aurora Borealis" and "Leve Vikingånden", Einherjer were offered quite a few deals and in 1996 the band finally signed with Napalm Records in Austria. "Dragons of the North" was recorded during the summer 1996 in the now legendary Grieghallen Studio with Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin as producer. "Dragons of the North" received unbelievable critics from all over the world and it is today regarded by many as THE viking metal album. Einherjer returned to Grieghallen Studio in January 1997 to record the mini-album "Far Far North". In-differences between Frode & Gerhard and the rest of the band resulted in fact that Audun, Rune and Stein decided to leave the band. "Far Far North was their final recording with Einherjer.
ODIN OWNS YE ALL "Odin Owns Ye All" was a bit different from the other Einherjer releases. But fact is that the "clean-cut, 87'kind of metal" was something that Gerhard & Frode had been thinking about for years. The album was probably just something they needed to get out of their systems. The album was recorded in Los Angered Recording in Gothenburg/Sweden and the producer was no other than Andy LaRocque (The lead guitarist of King Diamond)
NORWEGIAN NATIVE ART Einherjer and Century Media decided to end their co-operation and Einherjer formed their own label Native North Records. In October 1999, Einherjer returned to Andy LaRoqcue's studio, Los Angered Recordings in Gothenburg to record their so far most outstanding album, "Norwegian Native Art". With "Norwegian Native Art", Einherjer moved to a more different musical landscape where the dismal and aggressive atmosphere were conspicuous. The production was grimmer than ever and the album positively reeked of raw energy. Many who didn't like "Odin Owns Ye All" that much, because of its "drunken chants by the fire" kind of metal, now found a new favourite Einherjer album. After many one-off gigs in the wake of "Norwegian Native Art", Einherjer suddenly found themselves as support for King Diamond on the European leg of their "House of God" world tour. Needless to say, this was a great tour for Einherjer with sold-out shows almost every night. Directly from the European tour, Einherjer went overseas to do their first US-appearance at the Metal Meltdown III in New Jersey. Based on the success of the New Jersey festival, Einherjer were invited over as one of the headliners of the Milwaukee Metalfest.
BLOT It was with great pride that Tabu Recordings announced that Einherjer was back with a new album. BLOT was released in September 2003. Blot turned out to be the Einherjers final recording, but they left a very strong epitaph; Never before had the band shown such skill, rage and originality. Einherjer left us where they belonged, at the top of the viking metal throne.
Personnel
Final lineup
- Frode Glesnes (previously Grimar) – guitar, vocals (1993–2004)
- Gerhard Storesund (previously Ulvar) – drums, keyboards (1993–2004)
- Aksel Herløe – guitar (1999–2004)
Previous members
- Rune Bjelland (previously Nidhogg) – vocals (1993–97)
- Audun Wold (previously Thonar) – bass guitar, keyboards, guitar (1993–97)
- Stein Sund – bass guitar (1996–97, 1999)
- Ragnar Vikse – vocals (1997–2000)
- Erik Elden – Bass guitar (1998)
Session and touring musicians
- Tchort – bass guitar (1998–99)
- Jon Lind – bass guitar (2000)
Discography
- Leve Vikingånden (EP) (1995)
- Aurora Borealis (MCD) (1996, released as a demo in 1994)
- Dragons of the North (1996)
- Far Far North (EP) (1997)
- Odin Owns Ye All (1998)
- Norwegian Native Art (2000, re–released in 2005)
- Blot (2003)
External links
- [Official Website]
- [Einherjer lyrics] at DarkLyrics
- [] at MusicBrainz
- [Battered – official website]
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