Thirty-two years ago, HELHEIM released their self-titled demo, melding Black Metal and what we now call Viking Metal into a strange, dark enigma. I wonder how many people back then thought it would stick. Seven years later they released their fourth album, Blod & Ild. That album, coupled with their 1999 EP Terrorveldet, seemed to have struck a nerve in the metalsphere. The rest, as they say, is history. Now, 25 years after its initial release, Blod & Ild is available on vinyl in an extremely limited run of 200 (50 black and 150 marble gold/black vinyl) via Nomad Snakepit Productions.

If you’re expecting additional bonus tracks or remastered material, think again. Promo info states: “To keep everything in its proper zeitgeist, we decided to keep it all as close to the ’00 original release as possible, so expect no alternative layout or a fancy digital re-mastering enhancements! We are thus presenting “Blod og Ild” in its natural form, and this time on the most noble of formats!”

To be clear: This is the first time this album has been available on vinyl. Ever. Very cool. Of course, it’s been available via digital format since at least 2004 but everybody and their dog can own that. A 200 vinyl run of Blod & Ild is something to kill for . . . which underscores the point I have often made about runs like this. They’re for collectors and diehard fans, neither of which need to be convinced of the value of the album.

But if you are new to HELHEIM, Blod & Ild is a great place to start. Epic riffs, epic themes, epic vocals—well, epic for Black Metal.  Best tracks include the title-track, “Blod & Ild” (trans: blood and fire), which is a perfect opening salvo; “Terrorveldet” (trans: reign of terror), an especially dark and existential piece; “Kjenn din fiende” (trans: know your enemy) which oscillates between melodic and gnashing like a true Viking lullaby; and “Jernskogen” (trans: the iron forest) with its surprisingly heavy synths.  I also enjoyed “Helheim (Part III)” which is more of an atmospheric cinematic piece, serving as a bit of an interlude. And, yep, in case you’re wondering, if you scour their discography, you’ll find part I through part IX—all instrumentals btw.

Blod & Ild got a lot of attention when it first came out, and deservedly so. It’s fun to go back and listen to it now and to consider all that’s happened in the Pagan Metal scene over the last 25 years. And it still holds up. So, whether you somehow get hold of the vinyl before it’s gone or you just download the digital like the rest of mortals, it’s still a hell of an album.