Yeah there is nothing quite like the sound of Enslaved. Started out as a black metal band in the 90's and gradually started to incorporate prog rock elements. Vertebrae is definitely the apotheosis of that sound and it's one of my favs.

I went through Enslaved's discography for the first time late last year. They did indeed evolve from a black metal band, to psychedelic black metal, to proggy black metal, to their latest iteration which is like a proggy blackgaze. I'd say this track is around the time they started transitioning from their proggy black metal to the proggy blackgaze stuff. In any case, there's no other metal band out there like them, and they have a large, rich, and consistently excellent discography. I'm generally of the opinion that they've just gotten better over time, and I think the material they've released in the 2010s (this album is from '08) has been their best work, with Axioma Ethica Odini being their masterpiece. They just released a new album a few weeks ago. I haven't heard it yet, but once I fire up my next playlist I'm going through their discography again. This vocal style is basically what I call the black metal croak. It was initially inspired by Lemmy Kilmister's (from Motorhead) vocal style but got a bit more extreme with Bathory and then eventually the 2nd Wave Norwegian BM bands.

Hooray!!! Enslaved are legends. Their early stuff is more straight-up black metal and they've since evolved into this more proggy style that you hear here. They have quite the catalogue. Also, I see Arcturus up there. Definitely listen to them. Painting My Horror is my choice.

I would like to repeat my suggestion of Thantifaxath's song "Where I End and the Hemlock Begins."

Yay, almost like winning the lottery :) Thanks, great reaction as always! And they use mellotron, just like the 70s prog bands. It’s that dreamy quality coupled with those chord progressions and an accessible, almost pop sound that got me into them and metal in general. Oh, and the likes of Opeth, Katatonia, Agalloch etc. But actually, I’m not too keen on those harsh vocals either, but they do their job at keeping the balance. Can’t have real pop music, can we?

I'd say "their more progressive period" is still ongoing and evolving 😊

Nice occasion to listen to Enslaved, I wanted to for months haha. Also, I know you got many other recommendations for.. years to come probably hahah, but when I think of "dude, you need to listen to this".. I can't contain myself from reccomending Gorguts - Pleiade's Dust, a majestic 33 minutes avant-garde metal track.

That's why I like Enslaved, it's so unique. Try a song called The Root of the Mountain, you'll like it.

These guys are one of my favorite Norwegian black metal OGs. They were early examples of the post-black-metal sub-sub-genre that emerged in the late 90's/early 00's. They have 15 albums, and they are all consistently high quality. Got to see them live once in like 2006 or 2007.

As far i can recall, this is probably the band i like who took me the longest time to enjoy when i think about the vocals. I listened to them a lot, enjoying the music and some of the vocal (clear and the more guttural one), but the one they use the most asked me to tolerate it for so long.

Your face expressions when the black metal croaks would come in were pretty funny😜 Personally I love this song, album and band. The uniqueness is what makes them so enjoyable for me😁

Enslaved are one of the best bands ever. If you wanna hear more like this check out their song Storm Son with the video, the video is fucking amazing. Or check out 100 other amazing songs they've made.

always loved the vibe of these guys.

Progressive black metal I like

Another essential 2000s band : Deftones. You once reacted to a song , and i think that specific song didn't do justice to Deftones. They are an essential alt metal band for our generation.I suggest Change (in the house of flies), and Be quiet and Drive(far away)

Oh I didn't knew this album from Enslaved. Sounds cool. For other stuff you will dig, check Circle Takes the Square - "Kill the Switch" (or "Non-Objective Portrait of Karma"). They do an amazing work in composition and structures and their 2004 album ("As the Roots Undo") is an absolute must-listen-to for anyone who likes complexity & vibe in extreme music. Oh, and there's still Battle of Mice - "Bones in the Water" for one of the most terrifying tracks ever recorded by our beloved Julie Christmas :) ("I have a present for you, it's made from pieces of my skin" to give you the mood of the lyrics).

I've been wanting to get into this band for a while now but I didn't know where to start...seems like this album is a good one to start with I guess...I'm not a Black Metal fan at all...but this sounds very interesting!

This and The Watcher, I don't forget

It's been so long since I listened to Enslaved so I was surprised at how much this song sounded like... Cynic? Instrumentally at least. Which is gonna be interesting seeing that a Cynic reaction is coming up soon.

Glad everything is ok on your side

Also, I can't leave system Of A Down "unsuggested" for this week. The Beautiful harmonies and interesting layering in the songs Holy Mountains, Soldier Side, and Hypnotize will make you happy once more.

Hmm looks like I need to get in to this band. It seems that they also have I new record out, maybe that could be a good gateway to their discography.

Dude! That was surprising and different.

Second riff is the best... Though it is mostly one note. Speaking of one note riffs. Opeth - Deliverence is absolutely amazing! Check that out

Not sure why NO ONE on youtube has reacted to A Skylit Drive - all it takes for your dreams to come true A Skylit Drive - drown the city

I'd recommend Agalloch. Anything from the Mantle but the most common song is probably In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion.

YES!

You should definitely check the Feathers of Eolh from these guys. You would love it.

Two Nowegian suggestions: In the woods... - Dead Man's Creek (avantgarde progressive metal from the 90's). Motorpsycho - The Tower (Psychodelic classic Prog.) But of them are cult bands.

I suggest Earthborn Evolution by Beyond Creation, it's a really good song especially the intro part is sweet. Love you and your videos man

Very unique band! Great choice!

"the bass was.... bassy" - Bryan

Just yesterday I thought I should recommend Enslaved songs like Sacred Horse or Ground and today this video came out. The album called Axioma Ethica Odini is IMO their masterpiece but it's more black metal than their prog songs.

check out jaga jazzist - one-armed bandit

YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO BORIS

The guy who chose a pop-punk song is most pleased, as Enslaved was his runner up in song choices 😂 Oh I think the lack of 'oomph' may be due to them being sort of a stoner band. Not in name or in theme, but their music has a definite "chill" to it, encouraged by the repetition.

please react to Babydoctor by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum!!

Enslaved seems to have many features of a band that's perfect for me, and yet I have never liked them very much... today is no exception. Idk, personally I don't think the harsh vocals hold up in this track, especially with the clean production. They cut through their dense, loud, wall-of-sound metal quite nicely, sure, but then again... perhaps a case where being able to hear less is more. Careful and deliberate obfuscation is key (esp. in Black Metal), like they did here with the muddled, narrow range of tones and melodies for example. If only the vocals were placed with the same subtle finesse? Maybe some Enslaved diehards can enlighten me on how I'm missing the point.

Does that mean ur gonna play TOOl!!??

I made it till the vocals started. I enjoyed what I listened to before that!

CONVERGE dude

Roots of the Mountain would have been better imo

not the song i whoud chose from them as first listen