THE BEGINNING...
Einherjer was formed in January 1993 by Frode Glesnes (Guitar) and Gerhard Storesund (Drums). Based in Haugesund, a small town at the westcoast of Norway.
THE NAME...
The name Einherjer is taken from the Norse mythology, Einherjer is a vikings
life after death. When a viking was slained in battle, he was brought up to
Valhalla by the Valkyries, for then to join the army of Einherjers and join
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
After the release of "Aurora Borealis" and "Leve Vikingånden", Einherjer
were offered quite a few deals and in 1996 the band finally signed with Napalm
Records in Austria. "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".
Indifferences beetween Frode & Gerhard and the rest of the band resulted
in fact that Audun, Rune and Stein decided to leave the band. "Far Far North
was their final recording with Einherjer.
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 the producer was no other
than Andy LaRocque (The lead guitarist of King Diamond)
NORWEGIAN NATIVE ART
Einherjer and Century Media decided to end their co-operation and Einherjer
formed their own label Native North Records. 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". With "Norwegian
Native Art", Einherjer moved to a more different musical landscape where
the dismal and agressive atmosphere were conspicuous. 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.
After many one-off gigs in the wake of "Norwegian Native Art", Einherjer
suddenly found themselves as support for King Diamond on the European leg of
their "House of God" world tour. Needless to say, this was a great
tour for Einherjer with sold-out shows almost every night. Directly from the
European tour, Einherjer went overseas to do their first US-appearance at the
Metal Meltdown III in New Jersey. Based on the success of the New Jersey festival,
Einherjer were invited over as one of the headliners of the Milwaukee Metalfest.
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.