Urgehal

Biography

Urgehal () is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Hønefoss in 1992 by lead guitarist/vocalist Trond Bråthen ('Trondr Nefas') and rhythm guitarist 'Enzifer'. Before disbanding in 2016, they released seven full-length albums, four EPs, and two demos. The band reformed in 2022 to honor former members.

History

Trondr Nefas and Enzifer formed Urgehal in 1992. They released two demos in 1994 and 1995. Early in 1996, they signed with German label No Colours, and recorded their debut album, Arma Christi×Arma Christi1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Blood Hunt3:462The Night Armageddon Comes8:273Embraced by Cold7:224The Eternal Eclipse5:465Conjuring the Hordes of Blasphemy5:136Maatte blodet flomme4:387Evocation of the Satanic Ascendancy6:238Dethronation of God5:47, that year. The follow-up, Massive Terrestrial Strike, was released in 1997. The band switched labels to Flesh For Beast. The album Atomkinder×Atomkinder2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 7 tracks1Atomkinder4:222Nocturnal Revelation7:063Through the Grace of Hell6:384Nyx2:415Ripping Corpse2:536Antichrist3:257Bleed Suffer Die1:13 was released in 2001, and the next, Through Thick Fog 'till Death, was released in 2003. Flesh For Beast retired, and their fifth album, Goatcraft Torment×Goatcraft Torment9 November 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Goatcraft Torment4:002Risus sardonius5:143Antireligiøs6:154Dødsmarsj til Helvete4:185Satanic Black Metal in Hell4:336Nefastus nex necis5:507Gathered Under the Horns5:088Selvmordssalme6:009Sentiment of Chaos2:4310Et steg nærmere Lucifer6:59, was released in 2006 through sister label Agonia Records. Shortly after, 15-year anniversary album The Eternal Eclipse was released, containing rarities and a photo booklet tracing the band's history. In 2007, the band signed to Season of Mist. Most songs for the next album were written that year. Internal problems delayed recording. The album, Ikonoklast×Ikonoklast16 November 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 9 tracks1Stesolid Self-Destruction to Damnation4:432Dødelagt4:393Cut Their Tongue Shut Their Prayer5:174The Necessity of Total Genocide7:115Kniven Rider Dypt I Natt5:196Astral Projection to Rabid Hell7:097Approaching Doom5:038Holocaust in Utopia7:399Sopor Necrosanctus9:21, was released in early 2009.
Guitarist/vocalist Trondr Nefas died in May 2012, aged 34. According to a statement from the band, the death was sudden, but he "died a peaceful and natural death" in the woods "at one of his favorite places". Nefas was involved with other bands. Notably, he was the guitarist and bassist of black metal bands Beastcraft, Angst Skvadron, Vulture Lord, and Bloodsworn.

Style and sound

Their style and sound is strongly influenced by the Norwegian black metal scene of the early 1990s, and Enzifer has called Norwegian band Darkthrone their biggest inspiration. Other influences include "old-school heavy, thrash, speed, death and black metal [...] and the old South American extreme metal scene". Onstage, Urgehal wear traditional black metal attire, such as spiked wristbands, inverted crosses and corpse paint. Enzifer is also known for wearing a face mask with spikes protruding from it, which he says is used "to mirror my inner darkness". Urgehal define themselves as a "Satanic" band, explaining that they "use Satan as a biblical and metaphorical expression of the inner evil of Man". They explained their name as "an expression in old Norse mythology", describing it as "an endless deep and dark forest where all the evil dwells".

Studio albums

Arma Christi (1997)
Massive Terrestrial Strike (1998)
Atomkinder (2001)
Through Thick Fog Till Death (2003)
Goatcraft Torment (2006)
Ikonoklast (2009)
Aeons in Sodom (2016)

EPs

Demonrape (2005)
Satanisk Norsk Black Metal (2007) – split with Beastcraft
Death Is Complete (2011)
Maatte Blodet Flomme (2012) – split with Sarkom

Compilations and tribute albums

A Norwegian Hail To VON (2005) – VON tribute split with Norwegian Evil, Amok and Taake
The Eternal Eclipse: 15 Years of Satanic Black Metal (2007) – an anniversary album

Lineup

Enzifer – guitar (1992–2016, 2022–present), drums (1992–1997), keyboards (1995–2016), bass (2016)
Mannevond – bass (2007–2012, 2022–present)
Uruz – drums (1998–2008, 2011–2016, 2022-present)

Former members

Nefas – vocals, guitar (1992–2012; died 2012), drums (1995, 2010), bass (2008)
Chiron – bass (1992–1997; died 2019)
Aradia – keyboards (1992–1995)
Shregoth (Tomas Torgersbråten) – bass (2003–2006)
Renton (Eirik Renton) – drums (2008–2010)