Oh boy, are you guys ready for some cultural appropriation… err, I mean, “cultural exchange”? 🤦♂️ Norwegian progressive metal band ENSLAVED has just dropped a collaboration with Kevin Kicking Woman, a tribal member of the Blackfeet/Cree Nation in Montana, and I’m just over here trying to figure out how to feel about it. On one hand, it’s always cool to see different cultures coming together and making music. On the other hand, I’m not exactly sure how I feel about a Norwegian metal band using Native American spiritual themes and imagery in their music. I mean, isn’t that just a recipe for disaster? 🤔
So, according to the press release, this whole thing started when ENSLAVED played at the Fire In The Mountains festival in Montana, which is held on Blackfeet land. The band’s guitarist, Ivar Bjørnson, met Kevin Kicking Woman and they started talking about making music together. And, well, here we are. The resulting song, “Spirit Helper”, is apparently all about connecting with the spiritual world and honoring the traditions of the Blackfeet Nation. Kevin Kicking Woman himself says that “Songs are the Blackfoot way of knowing. Expressing relationship and responsibility, belonging and accountability.” Yeah, because nothing says “heavy metal” like accountability 🤷♂️.
The Story Behind “Spirit Helper”
Ivar Bjørnson explains that the song started taking shape long before it was even written. He says that it all began with conversations and shared experiences with the Blackfeet community, and eventually, they decided to make music together. He even got to learn about the Blackfeet Nation’s spiritual traditions and history, which is pretty cool, I guess. But, I mean, can’t they just stick to playing Viking metal like they used to? 🤣 Ivar says that the process of creating the song was all about finding a musical language that could coexist with Kevin’s traditional prayer song. And, hey, the result is definitely… interesting.
So, what’s the song actually like? Well, I haven’t heard it yet, but I’m sure it’s going to be a wild ride. I mean, ENSLAVED is known for their progressive sound, and adding some Native American spiritual themes to the mix is definitely going to make for some interesting listening. But, hey, at least they’re trying something new, right? 🤔 Ivar says that the song represents a connection between past and present, traditions and people, and the spiritual and human worlds. Yeah, because that’s exactly what I want to listen to when I’m headbanging to some heavy metal – a bunch of deep, profound themes 🤦♂️.
ENSLAVED: The Band
For those who don’t know, ENSLAVED is a Norwegian progressive metal band that’s been around since 1991. They’re known for their unique sound, which blends elements of black metal, progressive rock, and folk music. The band consists of Ivar Bjørnson on guitar, Grutle Kjellson on vocals, Arve “Ice Dale” Isdal on guitar, Håkon Vinje on keyboards and clean vocals, and Iver Sandøy on drums. They’ve released a bunch of albums over the years, including “Vikingligr Veldi”, “Hordanes Land”, and “Yggdrasill”. Yeah, because nothing says “metal” like a bunch of Norwegian guys playing folk music 🤣.
So, what’s next for ENSLAVED? Well, they’re going to be playing at the Fire In The Mountains festival again later this month, and they’ll probably play some more shows to promote their new song. And, hey, maybe they’ll even release a new album soon. But, let’s be real, the real question is – will they be able to pull off this whole “cultural exchange” thing without getting canceled? 🤔 Only time will tell, folks. Stay tuned 🤘.
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
