Enslaved is a progressive black/viking metal band from Haugesund, Norway. They formed in May 1991 by Ivar Bj?rnson and Grutle Kjellson when they were 13 and 17 years old. They had been playing in a death metal band called Phobia, but like many in the burgeoning black metal movement, they were looking for new sources of inspiration and expression. Though they began as a prototypical Norwegian black metal band, they have recently explored more progressive styles, starting with Eld but reaching its most prominent beginning with Mardraum. Although the band now records in English, their early songs were mostly recorded in Icelandic or Old Norse, with one track on their first full-length album being performed in ancient Norwegian.
The band were also reported to have appeared in an episode of the American cartoon program South Park but this later transpired to be a practical joke at the expense of the Norwegian press.
The name was inspired by an Immortal demo track, “Enslaved in Rot”.
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