Is Blodhemn a good place to start with Enslaved?

Yes, Blodhemn is recommended as a starting point for new Enslaved listeners. A tempestuous blend of black metal ferocity and progressive intricacies, showcasing a mythological narrative through relentless instrumentation. Released in 1998, Blodhemn marked Enslaved's fifth album and a significant evolution in their sound. Following the critical acclaim of their previous album, Eld, this record further solidified their position within the black metal genre while incorporating more progressive elements. It signaled an important step in their artistic development as they began to explore deeper thematic content rooted in Norse mythology.

Blodhemn works well if you're into immersive thematic storytelling, dynamic emotional journeys and contemplative late-night sessions.

How many songs are on Blodhemn?

Blodhemn has 9 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Blodhemn

Enslaved · 1998

39 min · 9 tracks · black metal

A tempestuous blend of black metal ferocity and progressive intricacies, showcasing a mythological narrative through relentless instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I lenker til ragnarok Start here — This track exemplifies the album's blend of aggressive riffs with intricate melodic passages, embodying the thematic focus on Norse mythology.
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Blodhemn — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, featuring dynamic shifts and a haunting atmosphere that represents Enslaved's unique approach to storytelling.
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Suttungs mjød (incl. Outro “Perkulator”) — This lengthy composition showcases the band's ability to weave complex narratives into their music while maintaining an engaging and immersive experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Blodhemn combines black metal intensity with progressive elements, showcasing Enslaved's unique sound within the genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with an atmospheric intro that sets a mythological tone before transitioning into aggressive guitar riffs and blast beats.
Several songs feature layered vocals, alternating between harsh screams and clean singing, enhancing the narrative depth of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

immersive thematic storytelling
dynamic emotional journeys
contemplative late-night sessions
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Further solidified Enslaved's influence in black metal with a unique sound blend.
Themes: Norse mythology· Ragnarok imagery· mythical storytelling
Career context: Released in 1998, Blodhemn marked Enslaved's fifth album and a significant evolution in their sound. Following the critical acclaim of their previous album, Eld, this record further solidified their position within the black metal genre while incorporating more progressive elements. It signaled an important step in their artistic development as they began to explore deeper thematic content rooted in Norse mythology.
Stylistic neighbors: Opeth· Agalloch· Ne Obliviscaris