Biography

Helheim was founded in 1992 by V’gandr (bass, vocals) and H’grimnir (guitar, vocals), who added drummer Hrymr. The band began performing in local Bergen festivals, and in 1993, the band released their debut demo, Helheim, distributed only within Norway.

Soon after the release of their first demo, the band began working on new material, again as a three-piece after Nidhogg, who had joined the band briefly, left the band again. In mid-1994, the band's second demo, Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr, ("Netherwards and Northwards lies Helheim") was released, and caught the attention of German label Solistitium (now Millennium Music). The band signed to the label and released their debut album, Jormundgand

Jormundgand

Jormundgand is Helheim's debut full-length album, released in 1995. Limited LP version has alternative artwork; CD version has a bonus track "Galder". Female vocals by Mailin.-Track listing:*All Lyrics By Vanargandr...

(named for the World Serpent, Jörmungandr

Jörmungandr

In Norse mythology, Jörmungandr , mostly known as Jormungand, orJörmungand , or Midgard Serpent , or World Serpent, is a sea serpent, and the middle child of the giantess Angrboða and the god Loki...

), which was recorded in Grieghallen

Grieg Hall

The Grieg Hall is a 1,500 seat concert hall in Bergen, Norway. It has been the home of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra since the hall's completion in 1978. It hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986, and is the host of the annual Norwegian Brass Band Championship competition, which occurs in...

 in 1995. In 1996, Helheim followed up with a European tour.

After the tour, the band began recording their second album, Av Norrøn Ætt

Av Norrøn Ætt

Av Norrøn Ætt is Helheim's 2nd full-length album, released in 1997.Guest Appearance: - Haldis: Violin, Belinda: Sopran & Trumpet-Track listing:#En Forgangen Tid – 2:54#Vinterdøden – 10:21...

("Of Norse Lineage"). With the release of the second album, the band's contract to Solistitium Records was fulfilled, and the band was without a label for two years. Finally, in 1999, the label Ars Metalli got in touch with Helheim, wanting to sign them for a one-album contract. The band members were initially apprehensive that the mainly underground label would be able to promote them adequately, but they were eager to begin work on new material. After the band signed to the label, they were joined by Lindheim on synthesizer and Thorbjørn on lead guitars.

Utilizing a new producer, Odd Kronheim of the S.J.E.F Studio, the band recorded the MCD Terrorveldet ("The Realm of Terror"), and then the another full-length album, Blod & Ild ("Blood & Fire"). Both albums received acclaim from the Norwegian Metal press, the international press, and metal scenes. The CD also included their first music video, for the song "Jernskogen" ("The Ironforest") taken from the Blod & Ild release. In 2001, the band attempted to publish another MCD, Helsviti ("Hell’s Punishment"), but due to difficulties with Ars Metalli this release was postponed indefinitely.

Despite these troubles, the band returned to Grieghallen to begin work on their next album, Yersinia Pestis. Massacre Records

Massacre Records

Massacre Records is an independent record label based in Abstatt, Germany.The label was founded in 1991 by Torsten Hartmann. The label is specialized on bands of the harder varieties of metal...

 took the responsibility of releasing and distributing the album, which was well-received by both critics and fans. Due to a lack of promotion, however, the album didn't reach many fans outside of Norway. Massacre Records had initially agreed to publish the previously-recorded MCD Helsviti as well, but this never came about.

In 2005, Lindheim decided to leave the band. In June 2006, the band released their fifth full-length album, The Journeys and Experiences of Death, a concept album

Concept album

In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...

 focusing mainly on the Vikings' beliefs concerning death. The first 2,000 copies of the album were published through local label Dark Essence Records as a Double Digipack, which included, finally, the release of the MCD Helsviti.

Studio Releases

• Jormundgand
  Jormundgand
  Jormundgand is Helheim's debut full-length album, released in 1995. Limited LP version has alternative artwork; CD version has a bonus track "Galder". Female vocals by Mailin.-Track listing:*All Lyrics By Vanargandr...
  
  (CD/LP, 1995)
• Av Norrøn Ætt
  Av Norrøn Ætt
  Av Norrøn Ætt is Helheim's 2nd full-length album, released in 1997.Guest Appearance: - Haldis: Violin, Belinda: Sopran & Trumpet-Track listing:#En Forgangen Tid – 2:54#Vinterdøden – 10:21...
  
  (CD, 1997)
• Terrorveldet (MCD, 1999)
• Blod og Ild (CD, 2000)
• Yersinia Pestis (CD, 2003)
• The Journeys and the Experiences of Death/Helsviti (Double CD/Digi-Pack, 2006)
• The Journeys and the Experiences of Death (CD, 2006)
• Kaoskult (CD, 2008)
• Åsgards Fall (MCD, 2010)
• Heiðindómr ok mótgangr (CD, 2011)

Current members

• Hrymr - drums and programming (1992-)
• V’gandr - bass and vocals (1992-)
• H’grimnir - guitar and vocals (1992-)
• Noralf - guitar (2008-)

Former members

• Nidhogg - (1993–1994)
• Lindheim - synthesizers (1999–2005)
• Thorbjørn - guitar (1999–2008)

External links

• Helheim official website
• Helheim@MySpace official MySpace website