View source for Helheim (band)

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Short description|Norwegian black metal band}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2008}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Helheim
| image               =Helheim - Niflheim 2013.jpg
| caption             = Helheim performing in 2013
| image_size          = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels. Set the value as a number without "px". -->
| landscape           = yes
| alias               = 
| origin              = [[Bergen, Norway|Bergen]], Norway
| genre               = [[Black metal]], [[Viking metal]]
| years_active        = 1992–present
| label               = Solistitium, Ars Metalli, [[Massacre Records|Massacre]], Dark Essence
| associated_acts     = 
| website             = 
| current_members     = Hrymr<br />V'gandr<br />H'grimnir<br />Reichborn
| past_members        = 
}}
'''Helheim''' is a Norwegian [[black metal]] band from [[Bergen]], formed in 1992.

== History ==

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]]'' (named for the World Serpent, [[Jörmungandr]]), which was recorded in [[Grieg Hall|Grieghallen]] in 1995. In 1996, Helheim followed up with a European tour.

After the tour, the band began recording their second album, ''[[Av Norrøn Ætt]]'' ("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 another full-length album, ''[[Blod & Ild]]'' ("Blood & Fire"). Both albums received acclaim from the Norwegian metal press, the international press, and metal scenes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://discoveringunknownbands.blogspot.com/2015/12/helheim-1995-2015-full-discography.html|title=Discovering Bands: Helheim – (1995–2015) [ Full Discography] – Bandcamp Stream|last=Bands|first=Discovering|date=7 December 2015|website=Discovering Bands|access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref> 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]] took the responsibility of releasing and distributing the album, which was well received by both critics and fans.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.metal-archives.com/review.php?id=18883 | title = Reviews for Helheim (Nor)'s Yersinia Pestis}}</ref> Due to a lack of promotion, however, the album did not 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]] 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''.

== Discography ==

=== Studio releases ===
* ''[[Jormundgand]]'' (CD/LP, 1995)
* ''[[Av Norrøn Ætt]]'' (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)
* ''raunijaR'' (CD, 2015)
* ''landawarijaR'' (CD, 2017)
* ''Rignir'' (CD, 2019)
* ''WoduridaR'' (CD, 2021)
* ''HrabnaR / Ad vesa'' (CD, 2025)

== Lineup ==

=== Current members ===
*Hrymr – drums and programming (1992-present)
*V'gandr – bass and vocals (1992-present)
*H'grimnir – [[rhythm guitar]] and vocals (1992-present)
*Noralf – lead guitar (2008-present)

=== Former members ===
*Lindheim – keyboards, synthesizers (1999–2005)
*Thorbjørn – lead guitar (1999–2008)

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea = left:90 bottom:60 top:0 right:15
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1992 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1992
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1992

Colors =

 id:vocals    value:red         legend:Co-Lead_Vocals
 id:lead      value:teal        legend:Lead_Guitar
 id:guitar    value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_Guitar
 id:bass      value:blue        legend:Bass
 id:drums     value:orange      legend:Drums
 id:keyboards value:purple      legend:Keyboards
 id:studio    value:black       legend:Studio_Album

LineData =
 layer:back color:studio
 at:02/01/1995
 at:03/01/1997
 at:05/01/2000
 at:03/24/2003
 at:06/12/2006
 at:03/17/2008
 at:04/01/2011
 at:12/04/2015
 at:01/20/2017
 at:04/26/2019
 at:10/29/2021
 at:06/20/2025

BarData =
 bar:V          text:"V'gandr"
 bar:Thorbjorn  text:"Thorbjorn"
 bar:Reichborn  text:"Reichborn"
 bar:H          text:"H'grimnir"
 bar:Hrymr      text:"Hyrmr"
 bar:Lindheim   text:"Lindheim"

PlotData=
 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
 bar:V         from:start till:end             color:bass width:3
 bar:V         from:start till:end             color:vocals
 bar:H         from:start till:04/01/1999      color:lead width:7
 bar:H         from:start till:end             color:guitar
 bar:H         from:start till:end             color:vocals width:3
 bar:Thorbjorn from:04/01/1999 till:11/01/2008 color:lead
 bar:Reichborn from:11/01/2008 till:end        color:lead
 bar:Hrymr     from:01/01/1992 till:end        color:drums
 bar:Lindheim  from:04/01/1999 till:08/01/2005 color:keyboards
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* {{allmusic}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Norwegian black metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1992]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Bergen]]