NORDIC METAL HELHEIM, founded in Bergen, Norway in 1992 were eager to establish themselves in the Norwegian Black Metal scene and released their first demo in 1993. Heavily influenced by BATHORY and including a cover of VENOM`s “Countess Bathory” to pay tribute to one of their foremost influences, the first demo, while being an interesting document of the time and showing potential, still lacked the depth and ambition of their later work. Their second demo entitled Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr and released in 1994 marked a major leap in style and quality. With a for a demo unusually long playing time of nearly 50 minutes, HELHEIM`s second effort saw the horde introducing female vocals, folk and Viking elements and even trumpets. Obviously influenced by compatriots ENSLAVED, it featured non-linear compositions and a unique sound. This demo is considered a landmark in Norwegian Metal and far surpasses the typical expectations of a demo release. It`s with Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr that HELHEIM found their sound and catapulted themselves to the forefront of Norwegian Black Metal. Remastered from the original DATs by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony.
