Named after one of Norse mythology’s most mysterious characters, Heimdal sees equally mystical, Nordic giants Enslaved adding to their extensive back catalogue. Whilst the album, like its predecessor 2020’s Utgard, is a vast departure from the band’s black metal roots, there are certainly nods to their past. Be it the front cover shot by vocalist Grutle Kjellson, reminiscent of 1994’s Frost, or the track ‘Heimdallr’ that appeared on the band’s Yggdrasil demo, one of the first Enslaved songs ever written and “an entry point…into the world of Norse mythology” as guitarist Ivar Bjørnson notes.
Greeted by the sound of creaking sails, oars paddling through water and massive horns – supplied by Wardruna’s Eilif Gundersen, ‘Behind The Mirror’ immediately immerses and transports us to another world. The track features some choral vocals and prog-rock undertones that take centre stage elsewhere on the album such as the schizophrenic, proggy, keyboard-heavy madness featured on ‘Forest Dweller’ or the space-rock homages of ‘Kingdom’.
Fear not though metal purists as Heimdal also has more than its fair share of big groovy riffs and retains those all-important black metal credentials of old. On first listen ‘Congelia’ may appear to be just an eight-minute riff but listen again and it becomes a relentlessly heavy monolith, constructed of countless musical layers. It’s an album that one has to really “dig into” says Kjellson, twisting and turning with anticipation and uncertainty, there’s no guessing as to what’s next.
One particularly memorable, standout moment comes in the form of ‘The Eternal Sea’, a song that’s dominated by keyboardist Håkon Vinje’s impressive, soaring vocals. Like the waterfalls of Go∂afoss the track cascades its way into an almighty crescendo.
Bringing all the albums elements together for one sludgey, epic, closing opus, Heimdals title track may well be the most unexpected yet. Concluding the journey undertaken by the listener ‘Heimdal’ is a reflection of the paths travelled throughout the record and one that leaves us with an overwhelming sense of excitement and wonder as to what’s next.
A continuation of concepts explored on Utgard, Heimdal steers towards new beginnings, a light at the end of the tunnel and a gateway to ventures new. Described by the band as a sort of “mid-life Ragnarok – not a crisis”, Enslaved continue to present their genre-spanning interpretations of Norse mythology whilst simultaneously, pushing the boundaries of extreme music even further.