BEST OF 2025
Norwegian Viking black metal warriors HELHEIM , via BANDCAMP, are streaming the bands split with HRABNAR and
AD VESA, unleashed 6/20/2025 via DARK ESSENCE RECORDS.
HELHEIM, via BANDCAMP, are
streaming "WODURIDAR" and "FORRANG FOR FIENDE" , two new tracks from
the bands anticipated new release "WODURIDAR", unleashed
10/29/2021 via DARK ESSENCE RECORDS.
FROM HELHEIM:
Norwegian
Viking/black metal legends Helheim return with their 12th studio album —
a groundbreaking release where the band does the unthinkable: creates a
split album
with
themselves. For the first time in their over 30-year career, primary
songwriters V’gandr and H’grimnir have divided the creative process,
each taking full control over half of the album, including vocals and
musical direction. The result is two distinct yet unmistakably Helheim
expressions — a bold evolution of the band’s signature sound.
Helheim, HrabnaR / Ad vesa
The
first half, “Hrabnar”, features four standalone tracks penned by
H’grimnir. Opening with the powerful “Geist”, this side highlights
H’grimnir’s commanding songwriting — heavy, yet rich with atmosphere —
propelled by the relentless, dynamic drumming of Hrymr, whose
distinctive style remains a cornerstone of Helheim’s sound. From the
haunting, melancholic “Sorg er dødens spade” (“Sorrow is Death’s Spade”)
to the intense “Livsblot” and the stirring “Mennesket er dyret i tale”
(“Man is the Beast in Speech”), this first chapter offers a profound
journey through heaviness and reflection.
Helheim band photo
Photo by Thor Brødreskift.
The
second half, “Ad vesa”, delves into Norse metaphysical concepts,
exploring the four components of the human soul according to
pre-Christian beliefs: Fylgja, Hamr, Hugr, and Hamingja. In ancient
Norse thought, the soul was a composite, not a singular entity — and
Helheim bring this rich, complex mythology to life through their deeply
atmospheric compositions.
In
Norse mythology, a fylgja is a supernatural being or spirit which
accompanies a person in connection to their fate or fortune. They can
appear to people in their sleep as dream-women, or appear while awake,
often in the disembodied spiritual form of an enemy.
As
a taster of what fans can expect from “Hrabnar / Ad vesa” Dark Essence
Records have released the track “Fylgja” from the album as a single, and
it can be streamed or downloaded from a number of services:
Commenting on “Fylgja”, V’gandr had this to say:
Fylgja
is a special track on “Hrabnar / Ad vesa”, where V’gandr has put all
his weirdness into one piece of music. It takes you through heavy
metalish riffs, through black metal and into the fields of majestic prog
rock.
“Hrabnar
/ Ad vesa” was recorded at Duper Studio in Bergen with Iver Sandøy
(known for his work with Enslaved, Wardruna and others). With artwork by
Tom Korsvold, tracklisting is as follows:
HrabnaR:
1. Geist
2. Sorg er dødens spade
3. Livsblot
4. Mennesket er dyret i tale
Ad Resa:
1. Fylgja
2. Hamingja
3. Hugr
4. Hamr
Set
for release on Dark Essence Records on the 20th of June, “Hrabnar / Ad
vesa” will be available in CD, limited green LP, cassette and Digital
formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:
Formed
in Bergen in 1992, Helheim have long been revered for their
authenticity, staying true to their Norse heritage while continuously
evolving far beyond trends and genre conventions. Their debut album
“Jormundgand” is widely regarded as a Viking metal classic, and to this
day, Helheim continue to push the boundaries of their art.
Prepare for a journey through darkness, melancholy, and ancient wisdom — as only Helheim can deliver.
HELHEIM:SPLIT WIT HRABNAR and AD VESA (VIA BANDCAMP COURTESY OF DARK ESSENCE RECORDS)
:
Thanks-Stay Metal, stay Brutal-\m/ -l-