Helheim – Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr/Helheim

Another killer classic release from Darkness Shall Rise Productions comes as no surprise to me. This time I’m referring to Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr/Helheim by Norwegian black metal legends – Helheim. For those of you unfamiliar with this band I can shortly tell that the band was founded in Bergen, Norway back in 1992. Being eager to establish themselves on the Norwegian black metal scene they released their first self-titled demo in 1993. Their second demo entitled Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr got released in 1994. Now, both demo releases are being released via the afore-mentioned Darkness Shall Rise. Due to the high number of songs presented on this lengthy CD I will not go into details of each track, but rather just show the tracklist below.

Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr (demo 1994):
1. Muspilli strid
2. Blandt ulvenes frender og kråkenes trær
3. Jotne vandring
4. Under the Norse Sky
5. De kalde marker av slag fortapt
6. Drømmedans
7. Gravlagt i Eljudne
8. Gjennom mørke og tåke

Helheim (demo 1993):
9. Inn i døden vandrer
10. My Deathlike Cries from the Grave
11. My Wrath Is Unleashed…
12. …and the Pandemonium Has Inflamed
13. Through Forests Deep and Cold
14. A Forgotten Oath in the Arms
15. Countess Bathory (Venom cover)

Helheim 1993 demo is characterized by a raw and cold sound, typical of the 90s Norwegian black metal. It’s main thematic focus was on Viking themes rather than just Satanism. The atmosphere is grim, cold and unpolished, while the sound features a mix of intense, fast-paced sections and slower, more atmospheric moments. In the time of the release of band’s first demo Helheim one can hear strong influence by Bathory and Venom, and it’s a cover of Venom’s “Countess Bathory” that ends this 1993 demo. While being an interesting document of the time and showing potential, Helheim’s 1993 demo still lacked the depth and ambition of their later work.

It naturally leads us to 1994 and their second effort (for a demo unusually long playing time of nearly 50 minutes!?) entitled Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr. It obviously marked a major leap in style and sound quality. Furthermore, Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr saw the horde introducing female vocals, folk & Viking elements and even trumpets. This demo featured a non-linear compositions (much in the vein of their compatriots from Enslaved) and a unique sound, so it’s no wonder, at least by looking from this time distance, that this demo is considered a landmark/milestone in Norwegian metal – something that far surpasses the typical expectations of a demo release.

Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr/Helheim is a very significant release, as both demos are a testimony of time and rise of Norwegian black metal, but it also helped Helheim find their unique sound and rise to the forefront of Norwegian black metal scene.

Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr/Helheim has been remastered from the original DATs by Patrick W. Engel at ‘Temple of Disharmony‘. This jewel-case CD comes with a 20-page booklet including the interview (about the time from 1992-1997 was conducted with the band exclusively for these current reissue) and many never before-seen pictures.

Order your copy directly from Darkness Shall Rise.