Satyricon is a Norwegian
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 ...
band formed in
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 ...
in 1991.
Satyr
In Greek mythology, a satyr ( grc-gre, :wikt:σάτυρος, σάτυρος, sátyros, ), also known as a silenus or ''silenos'' ( grc-gre, :wikt:Σειληνός, σειληνός ), is a male List of nature deities, nature spirit with ears ...
and
Frost
Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a gas) ...
have been the band's core members since 1993. The band's first three albums typify the
Norwegian black metal style. Since its fourth album in 1999, the band has strayed from this style and included elements of
traditional heavy metal
Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and United States. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock and acid rock, heavy metal bands developed ...
in their sound. Satyricon was the first Norwegian black metal band to join a multi-national record label (
EMI
EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At the time of its break-up in 201 ...
).
History
![Satyricon Rockharz 2016 23](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Satyricon_Rockharz_2016_23.jpg)
The band were formed in 1990 as Eczema
[Powaviolenza: ] by the bassist Wargod and drummer Exhurtum. In 1991, they decided to start playing black metal and change the band name to Satyricon. Satyr (
Sigurd Wongraven
Sigurd Wongraven (born 28 November 1975), also known as Satyr, is a Norwegian musician who is the vocalist, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist for the black metal band Satyricon.
Musical career
Wongraven was a founding member of Satyricon ( ...
) then joined the band. After the first demo ''All Evil'', Exhurtum was kicked out of the band because he "preferred hanging out with my girl at the time rather than kicking down gravestones together with the band", while Wargod left the music scene and became a
UN soldier afterwards. Remaining members Satyr and Lemarchand hired the drummer Frost (
Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad
Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad (stage name Frost; born 28 June 1973) is the Norwegian drummer in black metal bands Satyricon and 1349. He was born in Øyer, Oppland.
Frost has previously performed with Gorgoroth, Zyklon-B, Gehenna and Keep Of Kales ...
) as a session musician and recorded their second and last demo, ''The Forest Is My Throne''. Shortly after this, Lemarchand also left the band. But before leaving the band he recorded guitars (uncredited on the booklet) for the first full-length album, ''
Dark Medieval Times
''Dark Medieval Times'' is the debut studio album by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was recorded in August and September 1993 ''. In the meantime, Frost was being "promoted" as a permanent member and had recorded drums for the aforementioned album. Satyricon have—with two exceptions—been a two-man band ever since: from 1993–1996,
Tomas Thormodsæter 'Samoth' Haugen from
Emperor
An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...
was the bassist and guitarist of Satyricon, and participated in the recording of their second album, ''
The Shadowthrone
''The Shadowthrone'' is the second studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was released on September 12, 1994, by Moonfog Productions. A newly remastered version was released on May 28, 2021 with different artwork.
Style
The ...
''; and later, in 1996,
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 ...
member Nocturno Culto (
Ted Skjellum, known as "Kveldulv" during Satyricon's period) became guitarist on the third full-length Satyricon album, ''
Nemesis Divina
''Nemesis Divina'' (Latin for 'divine nemesis') is the third studio album by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was released on 22 April 1996, through Moonfog Productions.
The band have described the album as "darker" and "more aggressive ...
''.
''
Rebel Extravaganza
''Rebel Extravaganza'' is the fourth studio album by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was released in 1999, through Moonfog Productions. In 2021, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 1999 by ''Metal Hammer'' magazine.
Backgro ...
'', Satyricon's fourth album, was released in 1999. During this period Satyr drastically changed his look by shaving off his hair, as seen in the photoshoot for the album as well as their live performances around this time.
In April and May 2000, Satyricon toured as a supporting band for
Pantera
Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
.
Phil Anselmo
Philip Hansen Anselmo (born June 30, 1968) is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalist best known as the lead singer for Pantera, Down (band), Down, and Superjoint, amongst other musical projects. He is the owner of Housecore Records ...
has spoken of his love for black metal numerous times, and has participated in Eibon with Satyricon frontman Satyr. They used to be signed with
Daron Malakian
Daron Malakian (born July 18, 1975) is an Armenian-American musician. He is best known as the guitarist, songwriter, and second vocalist of metal band System of a Down, and as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwrit ...
's music label EatUrMusic.
![HITS2011 Christian Misje-0151](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/HITS2011_Christian_Misje-0151.jpg)
Their fifth studio album ''
Volcano
A volcano is a rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface.
On Earth, volcanoes are most often found where tectonic plates are ...
'' was released in 2002 and won four awards: the Norwegian Grammy for Best Metal Album, an Alarm award for the track "Fuel for Hatred" in the category Song of the Year, the Alarm Award for Metal Album of the Year and The Oslo award for Best Overall Album.
Satyricon participated in the
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 ...
tribute ''
Darkthrone Holy Darkthrone
''Darkthrone Holy Darkthrone'' is a tribute album to the Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone, with contributions from other leading Norwegian black metal bands. This album was released in 1998 by Moonfog Productions to mark the band's 10th an ...
'', released by Moonfog Productions in 1998, covering the song "Kathaarian Life Code". In the same year, Satyricon participated in the Bathory tribute ''In Conspiracy with Satan – A Tribute to Bathory'', released by
Hellspawn Records/
No Fashion Records No Fashion Records was a Swedish record label (a sublabel of MNW Music) which focused on extreme metal. It was located in Stockholm and was active from 1992 to 2004. It was founded by the Swedish zine editor Tomas Nyqvist.
Bands
*A Canorous Quint ...
, featuring the song "Born for Burning" originally released on ''Crusade from the North'' in 1996.
In 2006, Satyricon released ''
Now, Diabolical''.
In March 2008, the band headlined the
Inferno Metal Festival
Inferno Metal Festival is an annual extreme metal festival that takes place every year during Easter in Oslo, Norway. The festival was founded by Borknagar guitarist Jens F. Ryland in cooperation with Radar Booking in 2001 and takes place at Rocke ...
in Oslo for the first time.
The EP ''
My Skin Is Cold'' was released before their seventh album, ''
The Age of Nero
''The Age of Nero'' is the seventh studio album by black metal band Satyricon. It was released on 3 November 2008, through Roadrunner Records. The release was backed by a full European headlining tour opening in Stavanger, Norway on 12 November a ...
'', which was released on 3 November 2008.
Satyricon released their self-titled eighth full-length album on 9 September 2013.
The band released their first ever Full Length live CD/DVD set titled ''
Live at the Opera'' which took place in September 2013, alongside the
Norwegian National Opera
The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet ( no, Den Norske Opera & Ballett, links=no) is a Norwegian opera company and ballet company. The first fully professional company each for opera and ballet in Norway and the only such professional organisati ...
, on 4 May 2015.
A fully remastered 20th anniversary edition of 1996's ''
Nemesis Divina
''Nemesis Divina'' (Latin for 'divine nemesis') is the third studio album by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was released on 22 April 1996, through Moonfog Productions.
The band have described the album as "darker" and "more aggressive ...
'' was released on 20 May 2016.
According to recent updates on Satyricon's official Facebook page, they entered the studio in March 2017 to record their ninth full-length studio album titled ''
Deep Calleth Upon Deep'', which was completed in Summer 2017 and was released on 22 September. Frost had stated in recent interviews that once the new album was released, they would then complete work on their first ever covers album ''Formative Oddities'', though they have yet to announce its release date. The band also revealed plans to release a new studio album with original material in 2022.
On June 8, 2022, the band announced their new album, ''Satyricon & Munch'', would be released digitally on June 10, with physical releases to follow sometime in the future. The album features music created for the Satyricon & Munch exhibition held since April 29 at the
Munch Museum
Munch Museum ( no, Munch-museet), marketed as Munch (stylised as MUNCH) since 2020, is an art museum in Bjørvika, Oslo, Norway dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.
The museum was originally located at Tøyen, ...
in Oslo, Norway, which celebrates the life and works of Norwegian artist
Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch ( , ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter. His best known work, ''The Scream'' (1893), has become one of Western art's most iconic images.
His childhood was overshadowed by illness, bereavement and the dr ...
.
Musical style
The band's first album, 1994's ''
Dark Medieval Times
''Dark Medieval Times'' is the debut studio album by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was recorded in August and September 1993 '' (recorded in 1993), showed off the fascination Satyricon had with the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
and featured raw black metal
blast beat
A blast beat is a type of drum beat that originated in hardcore punk and grindcore, and is often associated with certain styles of extreme metal, namely black metal and death metal,Adam MacGregor, ''PCP Torpedo'' by Agoraphobic Nosebleed rev ...
s produced by Frost, mixed with acoustic guitar and flute. On their next album, ''
The Shadowthrone
''The Shadowthrone'' is the second studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Satyricon. It was released on September 12, 1994, by Moonfog Productions. A newly remastered version was released on May 28, 2021 with different artwork.
Style
The ...
'', this medieval spirit was continued. ''Rock Hard'' journalist Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann wrote that Satyricon reached their "very early zenith" with that album and ''Nemesis Divina''.
["Satyricon erreichen mit "The Shadowthrone" und "Nemesis Divina" ihren sehr frühen Zenit und begeben sich danach auf neue musikalische Pfade, die nur noch bedingt etwas mit Black Metal zu tun haben." Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: ''Under the Sign of the Black Mark''. ''Die zweite Generation des Black Metal''. In: ''Rock Hard'', no. 269, October 2009, p. 78.]
Describing their fifth studio album, 2002's ''
Volcano
A volcano is a rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface.
On Earth, volcanoes are most often found where tectonic plates are ...
'', frontman Satyr stated in a press release and biography on their homepage that "the music is rock based but more extreme; it is black metal pushing the boundaries that began with bands like
Venom
Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
and
Bathory. Reinventing ourselves based on a foundation of rock-oriented black metal is our philosophy." Mühlmann wrote that Satyricon's path after their zenith was reached with their second and third album has only a limited connection to black metal, whereas ''
Metal Hammer
''Metal Hammer'' is a heavy metal music magazine and website founded in 1983, published in the United Kingdom by Future, with other language editions available in numerous other countries. ''Metal Hammer'' features news, reviews and long-form ...
'' journalist Robert Müller described Satyr as a "latently arrogant guy who, along the way, makes great music that constantly tests the borders of the genre".
["BLAKE JUDD ist für den US-Black Metal in etwa das, was Satyr von Satyricon im norwegischen darstellt: Ein latent arroganter Typ, der ganz nebenbei großartige Musik macht, welche ständig die Grenzen des Genres austestet." Robert Müller: ''Nachtmystium''. ''Genialer Grosskotz''. In: '']Metal Hammer
''Metal Hammer'' is a heavy metal music magazine and website founded in 1983, published in the United Kingdom by Future, with other language editions available in numerous other countries. ''Metal Hammer'' features news, reviews and long-form ...
'', September 2012, p. 84.
Band members
Current members
*
Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven – vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass (1991–present)
*
Kjetil-Vidar "Frost" Haraldstad – drums (1993–present)
Current live members
*
Steinar "Azarak" Gundersen – guitars (1999–present)
*
Anders Odden
Anders Odden (born 20 December 1972) is a Norwegian musician. He is the co-founder and guitarist of the Norwegian death metal band Cadaver (1988–1993; 1999–present), and is the bass player for Norwegian black metal band Satyricon (2009–pre ...
– bass (2009–present)
*
Anders Hunstad
Anders Hunstad (born 3 February 1974) is a Norway, Norwegian musician and songwriter from Oslo.
Discography
* 1996 – Ravana "Common Daze"
* 1999 – Prosessor Balthazar "Riot 99"
* 2000 – Autopulver "Vapor Trails"
* 2002 – Morris "Ingen ...
– keyboards (2011–present)
* Attila Vörös – guitars (2017–present)
Former members
*
Ted "Kveldulv" Skjellum – guitars (1996–1997)
*
Tomas "Samoth" Haugen – guitars, bass (1993–1996)
*
Carl-Michael "Exhurtum" Eide – drums (1991–1992)
* Vegard "Wargod" Tønsberg Bakke – bass (1991–1992)
*
Håvard "Lemarchand" Jørgensen – guitars, bass (1991–1993)
Former live members
* Dirk Verbeuren- drums (2014)
* Silmaeth – bass (2011–2012)
* Brice Leclercq – bass (2009–2011)
* Gildas Le Pape – guitars (2008–2013)
* Victor Brandt – bass (2008)
* Schoft – guitars (2007)
* Jonna Nikula – keyboards (2003–2011)
*
Trym Torson
Kai Johnny Mosaker (born 1974), known professionally as Trym Torson or just Trym, is a Norwegian drummer, formerly with Zyklon. Torson started playing in the Viking metal band Enslaved and was later invited to play in black metal band Emperor. ...
– drums (2004)
*
Joey Jordison – drums (2004)
*
Ivar Bjørnson
Ivar Skontorp Peersen, best known by his stage name Ivar Bjørnson (born 27 November 1977 in Etne), is a Norwegian composer/guitarist for the progressive black/viking metal band Enslaved.
Biography
Bjørnson is, along with Grutle Kjellson, ...
– keyboards (2003)
* Lars K. Norberg – bass (2002–2007)
* Arnt Ove "A.O Grønbech" Grønbech – guitars (2002–2007)
*
Terje "Cyrus" Andersen – guitars (2000–2002)
* Kine Hult – keyboards (2000–2002)
*
Jan Erik "Tyr" Tiwaz – bass (2000)
*
Morten "Sanrabb" Furuly – guitars (1999)
*
Terje Vik "Tchort" Shei – guitars (1997–1999)
* Daniel "Død" Olaisen – guitars (1996–1999)
* Richard "Daimon" Cabeza – bass (1997)
* Kenneth "Destroyer"/"Svartalv" Skibrek Halvorsen – bass (1996)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Split albums
EPs
Singles
Demos
Video albums
Music videos
A music video was made for "To Your Brethren in the Dark", directed by Laban Pheidias. The video (the first from the band in nine years), features American actresses Tonya Cornelisse, Jesse Hotchkiss, Diana Wyenn and Shawn Kathryn Kane.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Satyricon
Norwegian black metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1991
1991 establishments in Norway
Century Media Records artists
Napalm Records artists
Nuclear Blast artists
Musical groups from Oslo
Heavy metal duos
Norwegian musical duos