History Einherjer

There are 2 bands named Einherjer.

1) Viking metal band from Norway.

2) Rock band from Germany.

1) THE BEGINNING…

Einherjer was formed in January 1993 by Frode Glesnes (Guitar) and Gerhard Storesund (Drums). Based in Haugesund, a small town on the west coast of Norway.

THE NAME…

The name Einherjer is taken from Norse mythology, Einherjer is a Viking's life after death. When a Viking was slain in battle, he was brought to Valhalla by the Valkyries, to join the army of Einherjer and assist the Gods in their clash against the Giants in the age of Ragnarok.

THE FIRST RECORDINGS

Einherjer entered the studio for the first time in december 1993, to record the demo “Aurora Borealis”. The line-up was Grimar (Frode) - guitar, Ulvar (Gerhard) - drums, Nidhogg (Rune Bjelland) - vocals and Thonar (Audun Wold) - bass & synth. “Aurora Borealis” was very well recieved by the underground metalscene and is today regarded as a cult-release within the genre. The demo lead to a deal with Necromantic Gallery Prod./Damnation Dist. Einherjer entered the studio for the second time in May 1994 to record seven inch “Leve Vikingånden”. As the demo, the seven incher was well recieved by the undergroundscene and as the demo, it soon gained a cult-status.

DRAGONS OF THE NORTH / FAR FAR NORTH

In 1996 the band signed with Napalm Records. “Dragons of the North” was recorded during the summer 1996 in the now legendary Grieghallen Studio with Eirik “Pytten” Hundvin as producer. “Dragons of the North” recieved unbelievable critics from all over the world and it is today regarded by many as THE viking metal album. Einherjer returned to Grieghallen Studio in January 1997 to record the mini-album “Far Far North”.

ODIN OWNS YE ALL

“Odin Owns Ye All” was a bit different from the other Einherjer releases. But fact is that the “clean-cut, 87’kind of metal” was something that Gerhard & Frode had been thinking about for years. The album was probably just something they needed to get out of their systems. The album was recorded in Los Angered Recording in Gothenburg/Sweden and produced by Andy LaRocque

NORWEGIAN NATIVE ART

In October 1999, Einherjer returned to Andy LaRoqcue’s studio, Los Angered Recordings in Gothenburg to record their so far most outstanding album, “Norwegian Native Art”. The production was grimmer than ever and the album positively reeked of raw energy. Many who didn’t like “Odin Owns Ye All” that much, because of its “drunken chants by the fire” kind of metal, now found a new favourite Einherjer album.

BLOT

It was with great pride that Tabu Recordings announced that Einherjer was back with a new album. BLOT was released in September 2003. Blot turned out to be the Einherjers final recording, but they left a very strong epitaph; Never before had the band shown such skill, rage and originality. Einherjer left us where they belonged, at the top of the viking metal throne.

THE RETURN

In September 2008, Einherjer announced that they would reunite to do some selected shows across Europe in 2009.

Creative Commons By-SA License