 Enslaved , from Norway , formed in 1991 , which Mulvany cites as " probably the first truly ' Viking ' metal band " . In the German edition of Metal Hammer , Robert Müller cites the 1993 EP by the band , Hordanes Land , as the first true Viking metal release . Its debut album , Vikingligr Veldi , arrived in 1994 , with " many melodies being borrowed from ethnic Scandinavian folk music to lend additional authenticity to the vicious , fast @-@ paced black metal " . Inspired by Bathory , Enslaved set out to " create Viking metal devoted to retelling Norway 's legends and traditions of old — not attacking Christianity by means of its own creation : Satan . " Its second album Frost , also released in 1994 , served as " an important release for the extreme music subgenre of Viking metal " . Eld , released in 1997 , was described in an AllMusic review as featuring all the hallmarks of Enslaved : " Viking themes , razor sharp guitars , blastbeat drums , and an ear for orchestration resulting in complex structures , bountiful harmonies and time changes . " The reviewer also noted that " Among the countless bands who were inspired by Bathory 's seminal Viking metal , arguably none were as true to its gospel as Norway 's Enslaved , whose utmost commitment even extended to donning vintage Norse armor and outfits on @-@ stage " . 
