Is Eld a good place to start with Enslaved?

Yes, Eld is recommended as a starting point for new Enslaved listeners. A sprawling journey through black metal's darkest realms, merging ferocious riffs with progressive soundscapes and Norse mythology. Released in 1997, Eld marked Enslaved's fourth studio album, following their acclaimed release Frost. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique identity within the black metal genre, incorporating elements of progressive rock and Viking themes.

Eld works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and atmospheric background focus.

How many songs are on Eld?

Eld has 7 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Eld

Enslaved · 1997

58 min · 7 tracks · black metal

A sprawling journey through black metal's darkest realms, merging ferocious riffs with progressive soundscapes and Norse mythology.

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Top tracks — play these first

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793 (Slaget om Lindisfarne) Start here — This opening track sets the stage for the album with its epic length and dynamic shifts, encapsulating the band's fusion of aggression and melody while narrating a historical event.
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Kvasirs blod — Blending atmospheric passages with intense instrumentation, this track showcases Enslaved's ability to intertwine storytelling with complex musical arrangements, representing their artistic evolution.
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Eld — The title track serves as a culmination of the album's themes, combining haunting melodies with powerful rhythms that reflect both introspection and raw energy, embodying the essence of Enslaved's sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

Eld showcases complex compositions and dynamic shifts, solidifying Enslaved's unique position in black metal.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages and atmospheric build-ups.
Each song incorporates shifts in tempo and dynamics, moving from aggressive blast beats to slower, more melodic sections.

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

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

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
atmospheric background focus
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Eld helped Enslaved establish a significant identity in the metal scene.
Themes: Norse mythology· historical conflict· Viking heritage
Career context: Released in 1997, Eld marked Enslaved's fourth studio album, following their acclaimed release Frost. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique identity within the black metal genre, incorporating elements of progressive rock and Viking themes.
Stylistic neighbors: Opeth· Agalloch· Ne Obliviscaris