Helheim; (the home of Hel) Hel is a godess the daughter of Loke and the jotungiantess Angerboda. She's also the sister of The Midgard Serpent and Fenris. She was condemned by the gods to rule below and to welcome all those who died of either sickness or old age. Helheim, or just Hel, consists of nine levels, but each level do not have their own names.
The story started in 1992 when V'gandr and H'grimnir had the mutual idea of creating extreme metal music. But metal cannot be made without someone to fill the drumchair, and soon after Hrymr came along to somplete the band. Already from the very beginning Helheim had high ambitions, and even without much experience they weren't afraid to enter the stage. They played several festivals in Bergen just to get live experience from the start.
In the mid of 1993 Nidhogg joined Helheim, and now they felt a demo should see the light of day. The summer went by, and in the fall the same year they released their debut demo simply entitled "Helheim". The demo never made its way outside the borderlines of Norway as the band realized that the released material simply wasn't good enough.
Soon after they started writing new and more innovative material for their upcoming demo. It was at this point Nidhogg left the band as he wasn't willing to sell his soul to Helheim. In mid 1994 "Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr" (Netherwards and Northwards lies Helheim) saw the first ray of light, and it was at this point that the german label Solistitium records (now Millenium music) got in touch with Helheim.
The band signed a two record deal contract, and released their debut CD "Jormundgand" (The Midgard Serpent) recorded in Grieghallen in 1995, and followed up with an european tour in 1996, the "Pagan Triumph Tour"along with Behemoth and Christ Agony. They also did an appearance at the "Under the black sun" festival in Medewitz, Germany.
After the return from the tour Helheim immediately started working on new material for the epic follow up "Av Norrøn Ætt" (Of Norse Lineage) which turned out to be very different from the debut despite for the fact that they still recorded in Grieghallen. This time the european tour, the "Nights of Revelation Tour", went along with countrymen Hades Allmighty, Aeternus and Isvind. When returning from the tour the band ended their cooperation with Solistitium records. For many people it seemed like Helheim departed as they showed no sign of life other than on the "Fucking christmas" festival in Berlin, Germany. But the fact was that they wanted something grandeur to happen and were also in the need of a new label.
In 1999 Ars Metalli got in touch with Helheim for a one album contract. Even though the label were of a highly underground character Helheim still decided to give them a try. It was at this point Lindheim (synth) and Thorbjørn (lead guitar) joined forces with the band to strenghtening the circle. In search of a different sound they went to the fresh producer Odd Kronheim in S.J.E.F. studio and recorded the MCD "Terrorveldet" (The realm of terror) and the full lenght "Blod & Ild" (Blood and Fire), which both harvested really good critics in the world press. Helheim also took the brave move in recording a music video for the track "Jernskogen" (The Ironforest). Unfortunately they didn't make it onto the road for a tour this time, but did an appereance at "Under the black sun" festival and the "Party-san Open air" festival. In return this left more time to rehearse on new and even more innovative material which led to the recording of the MCD "Helsviti" (Hels punishment) in 2001. This time they returned to good old Pytten in Grieghallen to once again make history...
That's the story so far, but it is by no means the end...
