A History Of Norwegian Black Metal

91. Ringnevond - Nattverd 2000 [Edgerunner Records]
	Take away the dismal production and you can just about decipher some early symphonic Black Metal, albeit in a simply executed style [Kvist spring to mind for the nearest comparison] The keyboards are heavy in the mix, thus thinning out the drums, and this spoils an otherwise creative and highly enjoyable album. A medieval atmosphere appears through the material as does a folk influence. The material here was written between 1994-95. The Viking metal band, Vanaheim was formed by some members of Ringnevond.


92. Grievance - The Phantom Novels 1999 [Head Not Found]
	A seemingly lost jewel in the Symphonic Nordic sub genre, following a path trodden by early Satyricon and Thousand Lake era Amorphis. The dual vocals of harsh and clean evoke the Amorphis connection and the mournful atmospheres and light keyboard spine calls upon the Satyricon influences. The compositions are solid and well crafted, begging the reasons why we find another quality act relatively unknown. The production is cleaner than the clouded Black Metal atmospheres normally attributed to this style of music although the band thankfully cling to the primitive essence of the genres roots.


93. Gravferd - Av Hedenske Blod 1997 demo
	Formed in 1995, Gravferd have released 5 demos of grisly, under produced Black Metal evoking a Graveland emptiness to the sound. One can deduce Bathory's first album and Mayhem era ‘Dead’ from the overall sound emanating from this demo. Darkthrones ‘Under a Funeral Moon’ is also a good reference point, yet the use of keyboards adds warmth to an otherwise cold and sallow demo. This is Norwegian Black Metal through and through, a bleak and gloomy journey into Hell. Northern Silence records have released a cd of Gravferd material titled ‘Demonized’.


94. Daudur - Daudur EP 2005 [Perverted Taste]

A mysterious entity are Dauder. The music on this release was apparently recorded 1999-2000. No band members are cited so the whole package is one of intrigue. Musically, Dauder are aligned to the raw Gorgoroth side of the Black metal fence so to speak. But this astute act is far more than your average band spouting venomous Black Metal. There is so much happening over the 4 tracks , even guitar solos make an unprecedented appearance. The music is wonderfully delivered and captures that primitive atmosphere so endearing to those who prefer the so-called ‘True’ aesthetics of the genre. Add to that melody and a near flawless set of songs and what you get is a must have release from an enigma in the Norwegian Black Metal scene. This release was limited to 500.

95. Celebratum - Mirrored Revelation 2001 [Arctic Music]
	Fast, decisive Black Metal with a leaning towards the technical melodies charged with rapid guitar riffs and blitzkrieg snare work. Mirrored Revelation, is a twin guitar assault and reflects many of the razor sharp arrangements of Dissections - Storm of the Lights Bane. Even the vocals reminded me of the Dissection classic, yet Celebratum do have a blistering repertoire of memorable songs, each twisting within a frame work of percussive intensity and chopping power chords. Play this a few times and the involved natured of the music will unravel about your ears and reward you with some absolute stunning melodic Black ‘hell for leather’ labyrinthine metal.
Here rests another enigmatic side to the Norwegian scenes diversity within one multi faceted genre. Their current albu, Instinct, is more of the same, yet not as brilliantly constructed.

96. Morkekunst - Morkekunst 2004 7” EP
	Another definitive underground 7” vinyl with all the nascent low-fi atmosphere of a back to basics Norwegian Black Metal act. The overall style employed here is similar to Sarath, with a slight emphasis on a milder, broodier set of songs. The ethereal guitar tones and desolate harmonies evoke an almost Strid like presence. There is a resounding echoes of Dimmu Borgir ‘For all Tid’ era sweeping through the music. [minus any keyboards] The band features members from Grenjar and German Black Metal act Kargvint.


97. Grenjar/ Vantro split 2004 [Nordstorm Productions]
	Ugly, raw and rancid Black Metal spat from a low-fi guitar distortion and those expected scowling vocals. The music is a torturous mix of slow sections and fast malevolent parts, all succumbing to the frozen impact of the vocal delivery. Formed in 2002, this is a relatively new addition to a scene that refuses to die. With tracks touching 8-10 minutes, the compositions manage to reach numerous tempos and each retaining a morbid stifling atmosphere. The band have a certain individual core that is centred around the basic tenets of the genre, that being visually and musically two tone and confined to the lowest recess of the
underground. Fascinating. Vantro, on the other hand blast off at warp factor 9 and harness a Burzum style shrieking vocal delivery. This could be Burzum on amphetamines, fucked up and one dimensional start to finish. Vantro are an acquired taste.

98. Vulture Lord - Profane Prayer 2003 [Flesh for Beast Records]
	With your eyes closed you can sense the atmosphere of Mayhems, De Mysteriis, album oozing from the production. The injection of a thrashing undercurrent lifts the material out of the pure evil and into a more guitar frenzied realm. England’s Sabbat can be cited as a good resemblance to the murky, yet full bodied sound. This is a fast, riff after riff raging Black Thrash attack. The band project the dark imagery with inverted crosses and semi-corpse painted leather clad band members. Vocally, its pure Black Metal and whereas the music pummels the fine line between blatant retro and regressive Black Metal, Vulture Lord most certainly pack a mighty punch.


99. Taakeferd - Livsgnist 2002 [self released]
	This self released 5 track demo is an exquisite Norwegian Black Metal offering that evokes the finest moments of the early scene without having to drag itself though an inaudible mire of minimalist chaos. Taakeferd ply their melodic fast music in the same riotous format as the likes of Ragnarok and Gorgoroth, yet this demo has a starling array of quality material that is both well executed and finely tuned. There is a lot of diversity and melody attracted to the material here, with easily digestible songs and that typical Nordic feel to the desolate sound. Definitely one of the most exciting Nordic acts of the new millennium.


100. Styggmyr - Hellish Blasphemy 2005 [Head Not Found]
	Formed in 1999, Celtic Frost is reborn on this release, with the vocals being the only deterrent in an otherwise absolute reflection of the aforementioned eighties Black metal gods. The dense claustrophobic guitar/bass sound drags you into misery one moment and then thrashes you with barbed wire the next. The addition of the Mayhem cover ‘Pure Fucking Armageddon’ with, Messiah [who was in Mayhem in 1986] on vocals is something to behold.


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