Helheim

Helheim formed in Trondheim in 1992, started by V'gandr and H'grimnir. Their early albums like 'Jormundgand' and 'Av Norvegr' came out in the mid-90s. They've kept at it with records like 'Yersinia Pestis' in 2006, 'Heidra' in 2010, and 'The Black Arts' in 2015.

Their sound pulls from black metal and folk, with songs that often lean on Norse themes. You can hear it in tracks like 'Åpenbaringens Natt' and 'Åsgårdsreien'. The longer piece 'Thirteen to the Perished' from the 'Yersinia Pestis' album deals with the Black Death, using traditional instruments like the Hardanger fiddle alongside the guitars.

The lineup has shifted over time, with V'gandr and H'grimnir remaining constants. They've worked with other musicians from the Norwegian scene, including Kari Rueslåtten and Ihsahn. In 2001, some imagery involving runes led to accusations the band has denied, saying the symbols were used for their historical meaning rather than anything political.