In Times

Enslaved’s brand of extreme metal has frightened folks the world over. Yet they’ve pushed musical boundaries in ways that have earned them legions of hardcore fans. On their 13th album, each song establishes a middle ground between moshpit slams and mounting midtempo melodies. Beautiful Radiohead–meets–Moody Blues soundscapes shift into visceral metal screeches on “One Thousand Years of Rain,” and it’s both creepy and appealing. Other songs, like “Thursiaz Dreaming” and “Building with Fire,” are dynamically similar and reveal how frontman Grutle Kjellson is one of the best metal singers alive. His ability to swing between croons and shrieks is unmatched.

Though their recent albums have dug somewhat back into their black metal roots, Enslaved embrace their fascination with prog on their 13th album In Times, and it officially becomes their crutch.

Thirteen studio albums in, Norway's Enslaved are still pushing at the boundaries of the music that inspired them back in 1991 when guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson (13 and 17 years old at the time) first formed the band.

The genius of Scandinavian extreme metallers Enslaved is their ability to deconstruct without destroying. They've been gleefully dismantling...

Because of the blunt extremity of their music, ENSLAVED may not always get the widespread attention of IRON MAIDEN or MASTODON, who have both conjured more than one masterpiece in their esteemed careers. Most ENSLAVED fans would have no qualms in saying "Below the Lights" and "Isa" are inarguable ma...

A review of Enslaved - In Times, which is out on March 10th, 2015 worldwide from Nuclear Blast Records.

Enslaved - In Times review: Enslaved continue building on a foundation of musical beauty, ferocity, and wonder in excellent form.