Dissection

Moving right along, we come to Sweden's DISSECTION ---arguably one of the most important black metal bands of all time.  You could even make the argument that they are Sweden's second-most important black metal band after Bathory.

They formed in late 1989, with members Jon Nodtveidt, Ole Ohman, and Peter Palmdahl being present at the beginning.  By mid-1990, they had a rehearsal tape (Severed Into Shreds) circulating in the underground.  Their first demo, The Grief Prophecy, was recorded in that same year, and saw the light of day in late 1990.

"The Call of the Mist" is from their 1990 demo (note the death metal sound)

Their sound on these early demos/rehearsals was more like the currently popular Swedish death metal, and less like the black metal sound pioneered by Bathory.  They had that guitar tone that was reminiscent of the Sunlight Studios buzzsaw sound, and growled vocals.  At the same time, the lyrical content was a little more gore-focused than traditional black metal.

From Dissection's 1991 EP, Into Infinite Obscurity

In 1991, Dissection released the Into Infinite Obscurity EP.  On this, the sound had begun to shift away from death metal, and to a more black metal sound.  The buzzsaw guitar tone was still present, but the song structures bore more resemblance to black metal at this point.  Dissection's sound continued to mature on the 1992 demo The Somberlain and the full-length album of the same name that came out in 1993.

"Frozen" is one of Dissection's best songs off of The Somberlain

The Somberlain was great melodic black metal, and by this time, there were barely any death metal elements present in the songs.  Dissection had truly created a sound all their own.  They could not be accused of copying anyone.  I would argue that Bathory and Dissection did the most to put Swedish black metal on the map in terms of its own sound (and this is coming from a die-hard Marduk fan).

"Unhallowed", from Dissection's Storm of the Light's Bane

In 1995, Dissection released what is one of the gems of all black metal: the full-length album Storm of the Light's Bane.  This saw the perfection of their style, and is perhaps the pinnacle of all Swedish black metal.  Everything Bathory did, everything subsequent bands had done (Marduk, Nifelheim, Dark Funeral, etc.), the sound on this album encapsulated it perfectly.  The tremolo riffing associated with black metal, but with a darkly melodic edge to it is the best short way to describe Dissection's sound.  With this album, they peaked.

In the years immediately following this, Dissection put out a rarities collection, a live album, and the Where Dead Angels Lie EP (which was shaped like an inverted cross!).  Jon Nodtveidt and the rest of the band seemed to have differing visions as to how they wanted the band to proceed.  They were on the verge of breaking up when Jon was arrested and sentenced to prison for being an accomplice to murder.

From 1997 to 2004, Jon served his prison term.  When he got out he re-formed Dissection and wanted to focus on his Satanic beliefs.  The resulting music--the "Maha Kali" single and the Reinkaos full-length--was more melodic death metal than black metal.  I personally found it derivative and somewhat boring.

After some moderate success with this re-formed Dissection, Jon Nodtveidt killed himself in 2006.  According to those who knew him best, this was part of his plan from the outset.  His suicide was part of a Satanic pact, allegedly.

Playing the legendary "Night's Blood" live

Select Discography:

Severed Into Shreds (demo) (1990)
The Grief Prophecy (demo) (1990)
Into Infinite Obscurity (demo) (1991)
The Somberlain (demo) (1992)
The Somberlain (full-length album) (1993)
Storm of the Light's Bane (1995)
Where Dead Angels Lie EP (1996)
Live Legacy (live album) (2003)
"Maha Kali" (single) (2004)
Reinkaos (2006)

Next time: ARCHGOAT