Sarke is a Norwegian

metal A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...

band from

Oslo Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...

, formed in 2008. The band has released seven studio albums and is currently signed to Norwegian record label

Indie Recordings Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Gaming *Independent video game development, video games created without financial backing from large companies *Indie game, any game (board ...

History

Sarke formed in 2008 when Thomas "Sarke" Bergli (

Khold Khold is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Oslo in 2000 after the split-up of Tulus. The band plays mid-paced black metal. History Khold was formed in Oslo in 2000. A demo was recorded in late 2000, which caused Khold to be signed by ...

, Tulus) decided to make a solo album. In November 2008, Sarke recorded the tracks for the album with keyboardist Anders Hunstad, produced by Lars-Erik Westby. Ted "Nocturno Culto" Skjellum (

Darkthrone Darkthrone is a Norwegian extreme metal band from Kolbotn, Akershus. Formed in 1986 as a death metal band named Black Death, in 1991 Darkthrone embraced a black metal style influenced by Bathory and Celtic Frost and became one of the leadin ...

, ex- Satyricon) joined Sarke and provided vocals for the debut album, titled ''Vorunah'', released on 6 April 2009 via

. In 2009, drummer Asgeir Mickelson and guitarist Terje "Cyrus" Andersen joined the band as live members. In 2010, Steinar Gundersen joined Sarke as their second guitar player. In 2009 and 2010, the band played at several festivals such as

Wacken Open Air Wacken Open Air (, abbreviated as W:O:A) is a rock music, rock music festival, held annually since 1990 on the first weekend of August in the village of Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Almost all styles and su ...

(with the guest appearance of Thomas Gabriel Fischer), Inferno Festival, Hole in the Sky, Party.San Open Air,

Brutal Assault Brutal Assault is an open-air extreme metal festival that takes place in the 18th-century army fortress Josefov, located in Jaroměř, Czechia. It is held each August early in the month from Wednesday until Saturday. The festival started in 199 ...

and Ragnarök Festival. After the festivals, Mickelson, Cyrus and Gundersen became full-time members of the band. On 15 April 2011, Sarke released a new album, ''Oldarhian'', via Indie Recordings. On 20 September 2013, the band released their third studio album, titled ''Aruagint'', via Indie Recordings.

Musical style and influences

Sarke's sound can be described as a blend of

black metal Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with t ...

and

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

, that incorporates

doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...

death metal Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...

and punk elements. According to the band, they are influenced by '70s

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

, '80s

speed metal Speed metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' (Berg Publishers, 2007), , p. 31. It ...

and '90s black metal. They are inspired by bands like

Mayhem Mayhem most commonly refers to: * Mayhem (crime), a type of crime Mayhem may also refer to: People * Monica Mayhem (born 1978), Australian pornographic actress * Jason "Mayhem" Miller, American mixed martial arts fighter * Mayhem Miller (dra ...

Slayer Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...

Celtic Frost Celtic Frost () was a Swiss extreme metal band from Zürich. They are known for their strong influence on the development of extreme metalBukszpan, Daniel. ''The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal''. Barnes & Noble Publishing, 2003. p.43 and avant-ga ...

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...

, Candlemass,

Death Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...

Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...

and Kreator.

Members

;Current members * Sarke – drums, guitar (2008–2011); bass (2008–present) * Nocturno Culto – lead vocals (2008–present) * Anders Hunstad – keyboards (2008–present) * Terje Kråbøl – drums (2011–present) * Steinar Gundersen – guitar (2011–present) ;Former members *

Cyrus Cyrus (Persian: کوروش) is a male given name. It is the given name of a number of Persian kings. Most notably it refers to Cyrus the Great ( BC). Cyrus is also the name of Cyrus I of Anshan ( BC), King of Persia and the grandfather of Cyrus t ...

– guitar (2011–2013) ;Session members * Asgeir Mickelson – drums (2009–2011) * Cyrus – guitar (2009–2011) * Steinar Gundersen – guitar (2010–2011)

Discography

* ''

Vorunah ''Vorunah'' is the debut album by Norwegian black/thrash metal band Sarke. It was released on 6 April 2009 via Indie Recordings. History In 2008, Thomas "Sarke" Bergli, drummer for Khold, decided to form a solo project. Sarke contacted Darkthro ...

'' (2009) * ''

Oldarhian ''Oldarhian'' is the second album by Norwegian black/thrash metal band Sarke. It was released 15 April 2011 via Indie Recordings. History On 18 October 2010, Sarke, this time with a full line-up, entered the studio, always with producer Lars-Er ...

'' (2011) * ''

Aruagint ''Aruagint'' is the third album by Norwegian black/thrash metal band Sarke. It was released 20 September 2013 via Indie Recordings. History In April 2013, it was announced that Sarke would have released their third album ''Aruagint'' on 24 May ...

'' (2013) * ''Bogefod'' (2016) * ''Viige Urh'' (2017) * ''Gastwerso'' (2019) * ''Allsighr'' (2021)

References

External links

Official Facebook page
{{Authority control Norwegian black metal musical groups Norwegian thrash metal musical groups Musical groups established in 2008 Musical groups from Oslo