A History Of Norwegian Black Metal

41. Malignant Eternal - Tårnet 1996 [Hot Records]
	As with many of the Norwegian bands to have arisen from a raw desolate Black Metal birth, Malignant Eternal likewise progressed to a more industrial/electronic style that ended in 2001. For inclusion here, it is the first magnificent release ‘Tarnet’ that sustains a sound reminiscent of Emperors ‘Wrath of the Tyrant’ MLP. Raw symphonic Black Metal dragging its heels through a wishy washy production so important to the underground ethos of the genre. The music is fast and claustrophobic and will sit with ease alongside Dimmu Borgirs ‘Stormblast’ and the aforementioned Emperor release.

42. Aeternus - Beyond the Wandering Moon 1997 [Hammerheart]
	Formed in 1993, and releasing a demo in 1994, and an EP ‘Dark Sorcery’ in 1995, the Black Metal core of the band was still evident on the debut album, Beyond the Wandering Moon, and much of the crushing riffs heralded on the equally stunning, Dark Sorcery, EP, are evident here. A solid wall of guitars roll forth in a sustained aural rampage, pounding the air in a mostly Bathory-esqe mid tempo fashion, employing simple beats and a stupefacient atmosphere, with the occasional blasting moments The sound in its complete whole is akin to fellow countrymen, Hades and Keep of Kalessin. Here we define a modern, clear production that pummels the scenes with its near
deathly posture. Again, this semi-death attribute can sit quite comfortable with other likewise sounding acts, Demigod and Necrophobic. The vocals are also grizzled rasps as opposed to the more resonate snarls found in the more orthodox style. The Rousing anthemic elements to the basic arrangements make this release an individual interpretation of a scene in its early cohesive form.

43.Hades - Again Shall Be 1994 [Full Moon Productions]
	This band can lay claim to creating a fresh, pounding, atmospheric black metal that sustained a more mid-tempo level of darkness than break-neck blasting. To create a unique form of music is something that Hades can also lay claim to. Formed in 1992, the bands demo ‘Alone Walking’ is a classic release in its own right, but the following album, Again Shall Be, represents a stunning contemporary take on Bathory era Twilight of the Gods. The slow pounding rhythms and acoustic atmospheres showcasing Viking Metal at its finest. The second album, Dawn of the Dying [1997] was much of the same. [At this point the
band who were known as Hades, had to change their name to Hades Almighty due to the USA thrash band of the same name reforming]

44. Dies Irae ‘Circle of Leth’ 1994 demo
	How a band like this never got signed is one of life’s mysteries. Such is the compelling, all consuming magnificence of this demo. To imagine one bands legacy fading in some cassette in the bottom of a drawer is somewhat a crime against music. Thankfully the demo has been re-released by Paniac Records. [A Belgian label I know nothing at all about], and yet unfortunately, only on Vinyl and in a limited quality. Here we find a medieval splattered Black Metal gem, a fusion of exquisitely composed instrumentals, and grand keyboard orchestration. The intro is four minutes, and by this time you have forgotten anything Black Metal is going to occur, and then the sweeping
keyboards flow though the raw guitar strum and sharp drum work. The vocals are blatantly broken English, grizzled utterances, and to the untrained ear, completely brutalize the otherwise beautiful music. Here we have that eccentric extravagance more accessible though the works of Tartaros. The sound is good, and the completely over the top orchestration lifts the thrashing Black Metal rage into a bewitching trance like state. This band take the symphonic element and amplify it tenfold.

45.Forgotten Woods - As the Wolves Gather 1994 [No Colours Records]
	Formerly known as Mordor, this band appeared at the birth of the Norwegian Black Metal scene and opted for the German No Colours label, who are as underground today as they were then. The sound on ‘As The Wolves Gather’ is low-fi and primitive, employing an ear grating shrieking vocal style, later found on the post-Forgotten Woods project, Joyless. The rough and ragged archaic sound is what some may cite as a ‘True’ Black Metal sound. Forgotten Woods alongside Burzum are masters of the despondent doom atmospheres that evoke the isolative and anguished moods we all wallow within on occasions [some no doubt, more than others]

46. Obtained Enslavement - Witchcraft 1997 [Wounded Love Records]
	With the 1994 release of Centuries of Sorrow, a savage primitive opus of average Black Metal noise, the band appeared with the wonderful ‘Witchcraft’, a ferocious and caustic album of cluttered melody compressed into a violent mix of finely crafted orchestral keyboard arrangements and Gogoroth style guitar tones. There is so much going on within the multi layered tracks, revealing the bands more than commendable songwriting ability. This album can rest along side the similar vibrant symphonic releases of Tartaros and Odium. The intro itself is a slow burning classical fuse that ignites the album proper in a swathe of symphonic chaos. Pure majestic malevolence let down by the production, yet
such cluttered aural atmospheres have a flavour some find appealing, myself included. At the time no one could predict the cosmic orchestration of ‘Witchcraft’, would be the bands finest moment.

47. Dim Nagel ‘Satanic Overdose’ Demo 1995/Rehearsal tape 1996
	With a demo quality emitting from the crackling aural vehemence, Dim Nagels only demo oozes a Nocturno Culto style vocal delivery and a range of blackened atmospheres ranging from the orthodox blasting to an early Satyricon folk affiliated mood. Joe Sibley, from Solomons Gate Productions deliberates the following: “Dim Nagel was Sorgar's band who made the Nordic Arian Elite 'zine (only one issue). It was a one man band except he had a session member from the band Kvist, who played drums. The demo and rehearsal sound like two different bands and I don't have an explanation for this, but the tracks without vocals are much more technical. Dim Nagel was
supposed to release their full-length (Sorgar claims a full-length was already recorded but I don't think it's true) on Black Metal Records which was a Norwegian Black Metal label that never got off the ground and never released anything.” The Demo and rehearsal tape combined make for some stunning compositions, most without vocals yet setting a style that weaves between demo era Emperor and Dark Tranquillity. I am convinced had this band crafted a full length album; the Norwegian Black Metal scene would have gained a highly intricate and formidable addition to its ranks. Here is a short conversation with Sorgar, [Nov 2006] revealing more of the Dim Nagel enigma: Did you ever record or demo an album or any other tracks? “We recorded 4 tracks for a 7 inch in 1994 which was intentionally meant to be released through Malicious Records ( A German label who gave out the early Gorgoroth and Strid stuff ), but the label went bankrupted and we never cared for sending the material to other labels” What will happen to the tracks with no vocal on the tapes?? “Actually nothing will happen with exactly that old demo recording you are talking about. But two, maybe three of the tracks will be re-recorded and included together with new material on the upcoming Endezzma debut album” What have you been doing since Dim Nagel expired? “For several years I ran the Norwegian Black Metal label "Flesh For Beast" we released Urgehal and Vulture Lord albums. I have now putted the label on ice and are focused on my band again, we now changed the name into Endezzma. And the old Kvist drummer is replaced by the Ragnarok drummer, Jontho instead. I also think there will be some Taake members in there as well. We are now working with the demo to our debut album. And like I mentioned, you will actually find some old Dim Nagel material on that album. And during 2007 we will probably do a tour and some festivals”

48. Tulus - Evil 1999 [Hammerheart Records]
	The band that eventually morphed into, Khold, were formed back in 1991, by vocalist/ guitarist Blodstrop. With a demo release in 1994 titled, Samlerens Kammer, and shortly after in 1995, the ‘Midvintermane’ demo. The bands debut album, Pure Black Energy appeared in 1996, a primitive slurry of Darkthrone meets Satyricon in a muggy production. The slower moments, as on all Tulus albums do reveal the simmering Khold roots if you listen carefully. In 1998, the second album Mysterion, was released. [strangely limited to 1500 copies] This release featured the vocal lungs of Sarah Jezebel Diva, more known for her work with
Cradle of Filth/Therion and The Kovenant, amongst others. It is a criminal waste that this release was so limited as it is rather good, improving on the former, Pure Black Energy. The bands final output, and best material came with the third and final release, Evil 1999. With its decisive guitar arrangements and melodic nature, this oozed that classic Norwegian Black Metal aura. One track in particular, Salme, is a near perfect example of that olden atmosphere set to ear crushing riffs and desolate vocal delivery. The lack of keyboards is another testimony to the song craft of Tulus, in creating songs with such abrasive tones yet also easy to digest. The bands first two albums and demo’s can be found on the double cd, Cold Core Collection, released on, Hammerheart records in 2000. This has two cover songs, one of Obituary’s ‘Slowly we Rot, and a spine crushing version of David Bowies, Space Oddity. Pure brilliance form a very underrated act.

49. Keep of Kalessin - Through Times of War 1997 [Avantgarde Music]
	Formed in 1993 under the name of Ildskjaer. Nothing really occurred though until the 1996 demo "Skygger av Sorg" ("Shadows of Grief"). The debut album Through Times of War, [1997] was a solid clean produced Black Metal album, with a full bodied sound owing its vicious guitar tone to the likes of Immortal and Enslaved. It's fast, decisive and has a grinding tone that flays the air. The bands second release, ‘A Journey Through The Dark’ [1999], is equally articulate in presentation and ruthlessly equipped to render the most steadfast of hearts to dust. The latest offering is the impressive, Armada LP, with more of the same densely crafted
extremity.

50. Thorns - Trondertun 1992 demo
No Norwegian Black Metal list of any worth would be complete without the legendary ‘Thorns’. The very mention of the name evokes the tumultuous early awakening of the scene and one would be forgiven for believing there was a mass of musical output to bask in. How wrong would you be!. The bands notoriety rests on three rough and sketchy tapes released in 1991/92, and that main founder, Snorre W Ruch, was with Varg Vilkernes on the night he fatally stabbed scene Godfather, Euronymous. He was convicted to eight years incarceration as an accessory to murder. To tack Thorns at number 50 of this list may antagonize some fans of the genre, yet where would one place the enigma of Thorns? The polished studio output of Thorns was after Snorres release, with the 1999 split cd, Thorns V Emperor and the 2001 Moonfog released self titled album. This later material being more of a modern take on extreme metal and really harnessing little of what you would recognize as cold Norwegian grimness. Faust does not play on it, Terje Kråbøl does. The track "Aerie Descends" is actually titled "Aerie Descent" (the misspelling was Necropolis Recs' fault, and was corrected by Moonfog in 1999). So it is with the two early tapes that the, Thorns legacy towards the Norwegian Black Metal evolution rests. One of the tracks ‘Aerie Descends’, appears on the Necropolis Records tribute to Euronymous album, Nordic Metal. The slow, brooding arrangements and definitive Norwegian atmosphere maintained by the guitar tone is pure Black Metal and captures the early scenes chilling sound perfectly. The Tronertun, 2 track demo also has a track titled, ‘Funeral Marches to the Grave’, and again we are consumed with the very essence of the pre-Euronymous death, Norwegian scene. Absolutely breathtaking I must say. Snorre, was also in Mayhem [as second guitarist] prior and during the recroding of De Mysteriss… in 1993. No one has ever doubted Snorre Ruch's mental state, except Varg Vikernes who has publicly stated numerous times that he regrets not killing Ruch in 1993. And the only reason why he is hated by Vikernes is because Ruch broke down during interrogations, and thus "ratted" to the police regarding the Euronymous murder. Snorre plays guitar on the entire "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" album, which was released in 1994. [Info courtesy of Dan Thorbjørnsen]. *Please note the Thorns demo has no cover artwork as the demo was only ever passed hand to hand.

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