BIOGRAPHY
Helheim, the pioneers of Norwegian Viking Metal, have been running since 1992. Since then seven albums and three MCDs have been produced in the name of the Norse realm of the condemned dead.
Helheim was founded in 1992 by V’gandr (bass, vocals) and H’grimnir (guitar, vocals), who added drummer Hrymr. The band began performing in local Bergen festivals, and in 1993, the band released their debut demo, Helheim, distributed only within Norway.
Soon after the release of their first demo, the band began working on new material, again as a three-piece after Nidhogg, who had joined the band briefly, left the band again. In mid-1994, the band's second demo, Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr, ("Netherwards and Northwards lies Helheim") was released, and caught the attention of German label Solistitium (now Millennium Music). The band signed to the label and released their debut album, Jormundgand (named for the World Serpent, Jörmungandr), which was recorded in Grieghallen in 1995. In 1996, Helheim followed up with a European tour.
After the tour, the band began recording their second album, Av Norrøn Ætt ("Of Norse Lineage"). With the release of the second album, the band's contract to Solistitium Records was fulfilled, and the band was without a label for two years. Finally, in 1999, the label Ars Metalli got in touch with Helheim, wanting to sign them for a one-album contract. The band members were initially apprehensive that the mainly underground label would be able to promote them adequately, but they were eager to begin work on new material. After the band signed to the label, they were joined by Lindheim on synthesizer and Thorbjørn on lead guitars.
Utilizing a new producer, Odd Kronheim of the S.J.E.F Studio, the band recorded the MCD Terrorveldet ("The Realm of Terror"), and then the another full-length album, Blod & Ild ("Blood & Fire"). Both albums received acclaim from the Norwegian Metal press, the international press, and metal scenes. The CD also included their first music video, for the song "Jernskogen" ("The Ironforest") taken from the Blod & Ild release. In 2001, the band attempted to publish another MCD, Helsviti ("Hell’s Punishment"), but due to difficulties with Ars Metalli this release was postponed indefinitely.
Despite these troubles, the band returned to Grieghallen to begin work on their next album, Yersinia Pestis. Massacre Records took the responsibility of releasing and distributing the album, which was well received by both critics and fans. Due to a lack of promotion, however, the album didn't reach many fans outside of Norway. Massacre Records had initially agreed to publish the previously recorded MCD Helsviti as well, but this never came about.
In 2005, Lindheim decided to leave the band. In June 2006, the band released their fifth full-length album, The Journeys and Experiences of Death, a concept album focusing mainly on the Vikings' beliefs concerning death. The first 2,000 copies of the album were published through local label Dark Essence Records as a Double Digipack, which included, finally, the release of the MCD Helsviti.
The album is a continuous travel through some of these visions. The band signed to the local record label Dark Essence Records, which proved to be a good match as the label would also release the next 3 releases from the band.
In 2008 Helheim released "Kaoskult", an appraised longplayer which makred a significant step towards more Progressive and Psychedelic influences in Helheims must. 2008 was a very active year for Helheim, with one Norwegian and two European tours, several gigs in Bergen and various European festivals.
In 2010 the EP "Aasgards Fall" continued the more atmospheric, and almost Floydian, approach to Black Metal. LINDHEIM and THORBJØRN had left the band. Only the guitar spot was replaced with guitarist REICHBORN. The full-length "Heiðindómr Ok Mótgangr", recorded during the same sessions was released to much critical acclaim again. It was the first HELHEIM album to feature prominent clean vocals.
In November 2015 Dark Essence Records anounced “raunijaR”, the upcoming album from Norwegian Viking Metallers HELHEIM. With the album due to hit the streets on the 4th December. “raunijaR” is the band’s eighth full-length release, is the follow up to 2011’s “Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr” and was recorded at Conclave & Earshot Studio by VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ Bjørnar Nilsen and mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen. Artwork for the album is by HELHEIM’s H’grimnir of www.coverart.no.
With more than 20 years of live experience they have become one of the true top performances in the scene.
Formed in: 1992
Status: Active
Years active: 1992-Present
LINE UP
Hrymr - Drums & Programming
Vgandr - Bass & Vocals
Hgrimnir - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Noralf - Rhythm & Lead Guitar
Country of origin: Norway
Location: Bergen, Hordaland
Genre: Viking/Black Metal
Current label: Dark Essence Records
Agent: Propulsion Music (bjornar@propulsionmusic.no) and Dragon Productions (schroerg@dragon-productions.com)
Press Contact: helheim@helheim.com
Official Website: http://helheim.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helheimnorway
Band Page: https://www.bandpage.com/helheimnorway
Myspace: https://myspace.com/helheimnorway
Last FM: www.last.fm/music/Helheim
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/frosjo
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/helheimofficialMerch: http://helheim.bandcamp.com/merch
DISCOGRAPHY
raunijaR (Full-Length Album - 2015)
Heiðindómr ok mótgangr (Full-Length Album - 2011)
Åsgårds Fall (EP - 2010)
The Journeys And The Experiences of Death (Full-Length Album - 2006)
Yersinia Pestis (Full-Length Album - 2003)
Blod & Ild (Full-Length Album - 2000)
Av norrøn ætt (Full-Length Album - 1997)
Jormundgand (Full-Length Album - 1995)
