Vreid

Vreid is a Norwegian black metal band from Sogndal, formed in 2004 after the death of Valfar and the end of Windir. The project begins when Hváll starts a new band with other former Windir members, and Vreid is a Norwegian word meaning wrath. The group is active from 2004 to the present and is identified with black metal and melodic black metal.

Formation and early line-up

The original line-up includes Hváll on bass, Steingrim on drums, Sture on vocals and guitar, and Ese on guitar. Hváll, Steingrim and Sture all come from Windir, and Ese is a close friend of the band members who also works as co-engineer on Windir’s Likferd album. In 2010 Ese leaves the group and Stian “Storm” Bakketeig replaces him on guitar. Storm also plays with Cor Scorpii and Mistur and has prior links to Windir and Ulcus.

Musical style and themes

Vreid’s early material is written largely by Hváll. The band’s sound is described as continuing the music he develops in Windir and Ulcus, while also forming a distinct identity. Its style combines the atmosphere associated with Windir, the raw sound of Norwegian black metal, and influences from Sepultura, Metallica and Motörhead. The lyrics appear in both Norwegian and English.

Albums and releases

The debut album, Kraft, is released by Tabu Recordings in 2004. The second album, Pitch Black Brigade, follows on Tabu Recordings in 2006. The third album, I Krig, appears on Indie Recordings in 2007; its title means “In War” in Norwegian. The lyrics on this album are based on poems written in 1946 by Gunnar Reiss-Andersen, who is involved in the Norwegian resistance during the Second World War, giving the record a strong war-related concept.

The discography also includes Milorg (2009), V (2011), Welcome Farewell (2013), Sólverv (2015), Lifehunger (2018), Wild North West (2021) and The Skies Turn Black.

Members

The group’s listed members are Ese, Sture Dingsøyr, Hváll, Steingrim and Strom.