Einherjer

Photo: Óðinn / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca

CountryNorway
Formed1993
StatusActive
GenreViking metal
LabelBy Norse Music, Napalm Records, Indie Recordings

Einherjer are the Haugesund band who helped shape Viking metal in the 1990s with Dragons of the North and Odin Owns Ye All. Founded in 1993 by Frode Glesnes and Gerhard Storesund, they have released ten studio albums, most recently Lifeblood in 2026.

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Einherjer were founded in Haugesund, Norway, in 1993 by guitarist Frode Glesnes and drummer Gerhard Storesund. Their name refers to the fallen warriors whom the valkyries carry to Valhalla in Norse myth. With singer Rune Bjelland and bassist Audun Wold, they recorded the demo Aurora Borealis that same year, and the 7-inch EP Leve Vikingånden followed in 1995.

The band signed to Napalm Records and released their debut album, Dragons of the North, in 1996. Ragnar Vikse then took over on vocals for Odin Owns Ye All (1998) and Norwegian Native Art (2000), and Glesnes sang on Blot (2003). Einherjer split up in early 2004.

The band reunited in September 2008 and signed to Indie Recordings in December 2010. Norrøn followed in September 2011, then Av Oss For Oss (2014), Dragons of the North XX (2016), Norrøne Spor (2018) and North Star (2021). Lead guitarist Ole Sønstabø joined in 2016 and guitarist Tom Enge in 2020.

Lifeblood, the band’s tenth studio album, was released on 19 June 2026 through By Norse Music. Its eight songs deal with belonging, heritage and roots, and draw on the sea and the band’s home town of Haugesund.

Current line-up: Frode Glesnes (vocals, guitar, bass), Gerhard Storesund (drums, keyboards), Ole Sønstabø (lead guitar), Tom Enge (guitar, backing vocals).