Dark Funeral are a Swedish black metal band from Stockholm, active since 1993. They form around guitarists Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman and emerge during the second wave of black metal.

Style and themes

The band’s music sits in black metal, with melodic black metal also listed among their genres. Their lyrics traditionally deal with Satanism and anti-Christianity. In the early period, the themes focus more specifically on Hell and Satan. After Emperor Magus Caligula joins, the lyrics shift towards blasphemy and anti-Christian rhetoric, although there are exceptions.

Several members, past and present, including Blackmoon, Lord Ahriman, Emperor Magus Caligula and Chaq Mol, declare an affinity for Satanism. Lord Ahriman and Emperor Magus Caligula are noted as practitioners of LaVeyan Satanism.

History

Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman found the group in 1993. Shortly afterwards, drummer Draugen and bassist and vocalist Themgoroth join. The band record their self-titled, self-financed EP, Dark Funeral, at Dan Swanö’s Unisound studio in January 1994. It is released on the same day as the band’s first live performance, at Luse Lottes Pub in Oslo, Norway, where they appear alongside acts including Gorgoroth and Marduk.

After those recording sessions, Draugen leaves and is replaced by Equimanthorn. Over time, Dark Funeral release seven full-length albums and become one of the most prominent names in the Swedish black metal scene.

Members

Members associated with the band include Equimanthorn, Alzazmon, Typhos, Emperor Magus Caligula, Gaahnfaust, Dominion, Matte Modin, Chaq Mol, Dominator, Nachtgarm, Janne Jaloma, Draugen, Blackmoon, Themgoroth, B-Force, Lord Ahriman and Tomas Nilsson.