The Black

 

The Swedish black metal scene in the early 1990s may always play second fiddle to Norway's scene, but it was just as prolific. While bands like Dissection, Marduk, and Sacramentum were pioneers, it is important to recognize mid-tier bands like THE BLACK.

From the city of Eskilstuna, they formed in 1991 as The Black Flame. After making an appearance on the obscure compilation The Satanic Sound in early 1992, they put out the demo Black Blood later that year. An aggressive style that compares favorably to Marduk's faster stuff or a Swedish version of Transilvanian Hunger or perhaps bands like Armagedda or War/Total War, this demo was angry, vicious black metal.

This is the 1992 demo version of "Book of Leviathan"

With a line-up consisting of The Black (drums/keyboards), Leviathan (bass), Black Demon (guitars), and Rietas (vocals--this was Jon Nodtveidt's pseudonym while in this band), this demo was well-received. So well-received, in fact, that this demo has been re-issued in multiple formats several times--including by such renowned labels as Necropolis and Osmose.

They entered the studio in 1993 to record their full-length debut, but Black Demon had left the band by this point. Rietas stepped up and took on the additional role of guitarist (as well as contributing some synth parts). All of the demo songs were re-recorded, and a few new tracks were added as well. The Priest of Satan was then released the next year.

From 1994's Priest of Satan, this is "Black Blood"

An album of fast, aggressive black metal, Priest of Satan is a sorely overlooked classic of the Swedish scene. While most of the Swedish black metal of the 1990s was melodic (with riffing in the style of Dissection or Sacramentum), The Black was different. They made a name for themselves with a harsher, rawer sound.

The band was not extremely prolific in their heyday. Beyond the demo and Priest of Satan, The Black didn't release anything else in the 1990s. The band went on hiatus shortly after Priest's release (just in time for their demo to be released on CD).

From their second album, this is "Death's Crown"

Band member The Black (Markus Pesonen) re-started the band in 2006, but by this point Rietas had taken his own life. Two new members from Swedish band Vinterland joined the band. This incarnation of The Black put out the album Alongside Death. A solid release, it has a darker, more sinister vibe than their 1990s material. Since then, the band has been quiet. We'll see what the future holds.

Select Discography:

Black Blood (demo) (1992)

The Priest of Satan (full-length) (1994)

Alongside Death (full-length) (2008)

Next time: COUNTESS