Satyricon

Satyricon is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, active since 1990. It begins under the name Eczema before changing to Satyricon in 1991, when Satyr joins the group. From 1993, Satyr and Frost form the core of the band, and for most of its history Satyricon operates as a two-man project, apart from periods when other musicians contribute to live work or recording.

Formation and early line-up

The band starts with bassist Wargod and drummer Exhurtum. After the name change, Satyr, also known as Sigurd Wongraven, becomes the frontman. Following the first demo, All Evil, Exhurtum leaves and Wargod later leaves the music scene. Lemarchand joins as a guitarist and records uncredited parts for the first full-length album, Dark Medieval Times, before leaving. Frost, also known as Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad, is brought in as a session drummer and then becomes a permanent member.

The members listed with the group at different points include Satyr, Frost, Samoth, Kveldulv, Carl-Michael Eide, Vegard Blomberg and Lemarchand. Tomas Thormodsæter “Samoth” Haugen of Emperor serves as bassist and guitarist from 1993 to 1996 and plays on The Shadowthrone. In 1996, Darkthrone member Ted Skjellum, known as Nocturno Culto and as “Kveldulv” in this period, plays guitar on Nemesis Divina.

Style and development

Satyricon’s first three albums are associated with the Norwegian black metal style. Dark Medieval Times, recorded in 1993 and released in 1994, includes medieval themes, raw black metal blast beats, acoustic guitar and flute. The Shadowthrone continues that medieval focus. Nemesis Divina follows in 1996. From the fourth album, Rebel Extravaganza, released in 1999, the band moves further away from a strict black metal approach and begins to include elements of traditional heavy metal.

The band’s later work is described as black metal that also draws on rock-based and heavier metal elements. Satyr describes Volcano as rock-based but more extreme, with black metal built on foundations laid by earlier bands such as Venom and Bathory. Over time, the group is also identified with black ’n’ roll and metal as well as black metal.

Record labels, collaborations and releases

Satyricon is the first Norwegian black metal band to sign to a multinational label, EMI. The group is also signed at different times to Daron Malakian’s label EatUrMusic. In 1998, it appears on two tribute releases: Darkthrone Holy Darkthrone, where it covers “Kathaarian Life Code”, and In Conspiracy with Satan – A Tribute to Bathory, where it records “Born for Burning”. It also works with Phil Anselmo in Eibon, alongside Satyricon frontman Satyr.

The band’s studio albums include Dark Medieval Times, The Shadowthrone, Nemesis Divina, Rebel Extravaganza, Volcano, Now, Diabolical, The Age of Nero, Satyricon, Deep Calleth Upon Deep and Satyricon & Munch. The EP My Skin Is Cold appears before The Age of Nero. Live at the Opera is the band’s first full-length live CD/DVD set and documents a performance with the Norwegian National Opera.

Awards and live activity

Volcano wins four awards: the Norwegian Grammy for Best Metal Album, an Alarm award for “Fuel for Hatred” as Song of the Year, the Alarm Award for Metal Album of the Year and The Oslo award for Best Overall Album. In March 2008, Satyricon headlines the Inferno Metal Festival in Oslo for the first time. The band also tours as a support act for Pantera in April and May 2000.

Later work includes a 20th anniversary edition of Nemesis Divina, a 2017 studio album, and Satyricon & Munch, which is music created for the Satyricon & Munch exhibition at the Munch Museum in Oslo, celebrating Edvard Munch. The group’s history shows a long progression from early Norwegian black metal towards a broader black metal and metal sound.