Black Metal MVPs of 2023

The black metal MVPs of 2022 included many prolific Trondheim-based artists, such as Wraath and Kvitrim. The latter not only unveiled the highly acclaimed Naa Skrider Natten Sort with Djevel, but he also won a Spellemann / “Norwegian Grammy” for Tanker Som Rir Natten (2021), as did his bandmates Faust and Trånn Ciekals. In September 2022, the revered frontman Doedsadmiral delighted fans twice, first with an album by Nordjevel and then an EP by Doedsvangr. Most importantly, on the genre-redefining Bab Al On, Dødsengel’s Kark and Malach Adonai delivered performances that I believe will be eternally remembered by black metal audiences.

However, whereas last year was not an especially great time for black metal overall, select gems aside, 2023 has been absolutely remarkable. Granted, there are a few offerings that we were eagerly anticipating that will probably end up being delayed until 2024. Nevertheless, we are grateful for all of the extraordinary material that has already dropped. Today, we honor the black metal artists who have kept the black flame alive over the past months.

Cernunnus & Sargatanas

Manes’ Tor Helge “Cernunnus” Skei played guitar on Høstsol’s miraculous debut, L​ä​nge Leve Döden, which was released this January. Formed in 2020, Høstsol is an unsurpassed Nordic supergroup that also features Shining’s Niklas Kvarforth as well as Ajattara collaborators Rainer Tuomikanto and Kalmos.

This September, Cernunnus and his former Manes bandmate Håvard “Sargatanas” Jenssen unleashed Manii’s sublime Innerst i Mørket via Terratur Possessions. Cernunnus handled almost all instruments. Meanwhile, Sargatanas gave one of the best vocal performances of the year. We must also note that Whoredom Rife’s V. Einride added his magical touch on drums for the first time with the band.

Fortunately, Cernunnus has already recorded Manes’ next album. We hope to hear it soon.

Man of the Year: Niklas Kvarforth

Niklas Kvarforth is the black metal knight in shining armor, whose blinding excellence makes this cruel world just a little more bearable, despite his sinister intentions. Kvarforth is only 39, but this genius has inspired countless artists. In fact, he is my personal role model and hero. The artistic integrity of Kvarforth’s offerings is almost wholly unprecedented, as he proved yet again on two separate knockout albums this year. His devilish charisma, performance abilities, and compositions will redefine your understanding not only of dark music but of the arts in general. Never have I seen a thespian do what this man accomplishes with ease. His vocals are in a league of their own.

The masterpiece that is Shining may have been unleashed on September 15, but the record’s three singles began tormenting fans with their majesty well in advance. Shining perfectly sums up the essence of one of the genre’s greatest bands. The lyrics are so phenomenal that they have caused me intense pain. They will be included in the sixth edition of Kvarforth’s book When Prozac No Longer Helps.

We touched upon Høstsol’s Lä​nge Leve Dö​den above. Like Shining, it is one of my most highly regarded albums of all time, and, of course, Kvarforth’s contributions are beyond perfect.

(Please allow us to give a much-needed shout-out to Shining and Cold Prophet’s Tuomas Tahvanainen as well. He not only contributed the intro to Shining, but he also penned the lyrics to Lä​nge Leve Dö​den’s opening track, “As Seen Through the Eyes of the Prophet.”)

Vicotnik

A gentleman of superior artistry and intellect, Vicotnik is not only one of the genre’s top artists, but he is also the clear king of avant-garde black metal. The revered Dødheimsgard co-founder has created yet another masterpiece so vivid that it feels like a hallucination. The philosophical, poetic, and indescribably intense emotional journey through the galaxies that is Dødheimsgard’s Black Medium Current forces us to recall the immortal words of Ludwig Wittgenstein: “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.” Indeed, Black Medium Current’s radical ingenuity will leave you totally speechless. Listeners, including but not limited to yours truly, have reported being moved to tears by this profound album. Black Medium Current stands as a sublime monolith of authenticity. It is a work of astonishing sophistication and mind-blowing ingenuity.

Vicotnik’s debut album by Doedsmaghird, whose first song we rightly rated higher than the moon, was supposed to drop this year. We know that it will dazzle us away when it finally drops.

Blasphemer

Ex-Mayhem’s Spellemann / “Norwegian Grammy”-winning Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen has earned a stellar reputation as an unsurpassed guitarist and composer. The noble Blasphemer is a tireless visionary and perfectionist, whose superhuman talent makes others look like mere dilettantes. Inspired by a tape of Mayhem-era riffs sent by Finn Håkon Rødland, Blasphemer founded RUÏM in 2020. He unveiled the duo’s debut, Black Royal Spiritism – I – O Sino da Igreja, on May 26. This testament to his genius reminds listeners that Blasphemer still reigns supreme. Yes, Black Royal Spiritism represents Blasphemer’s return to a purer form of black metal and his successful attempt to reclaim the legacy of his work with Mayhem. This scorcher furthermore proves that Blasphemer is still greatly expanding the genre.

Jim Dokter

Jim Dokter is a man of many pseudonyms — Nachtraaf, BLTZR, N., VRDRBR, etc. Over the years, he has displayed his brilliance with various fantastic bands, both living and deceased — Fluisterwoud, Cum Chalice, Planet AIDS, and a long list of others. However, Jim is best known for Urfaust, which is regarded by many as the definitive Dutch black metal outfit. Urfaust released their fabulous seventh record, Untergang, this August. Just two days later, Urfaust called it quits, leaving loyal fans to drown their sorrow in gallons of booze like the devil figure on the album’s cover. This wholly unexpected news came after 30 glorious years of existence.

This May, Jim and his bandmates celebrated the premiere of Botulistum’s truly outstanding eponymous full-length debut. This is quite a monumental achievement, considering that Botulistum, the self-avowed “Undisputed Kings of Peat Metal,” have been active since 1998. Jim is also part of the absurdist “world noise” group Bradung, who unleashed Burundi Hyeana on May 23. This summer, Jim’s latest EP with Duivel, Heiligschennis, earned our glowing praise and a score of 666. In October, Jim shocked us with Grafroof, a new split showcasing unheard material from 2000 by two of his former projects, Grauwsaem and Doodskrijs.

The Tulus & Khold Teams

Although Khold started out as Tulus with a name change and a slightly different style, the two bands now run parallel. Tulus and Khold involve Sarke, Blodstrup / Gard, Crowbel, and lyricist Hildr. However, Khold features one extra member, guitarist Rinn. Tulus’ latest victory, Fandens Kall, dropped in February. We recommend watching the documentary about its making, Uncompromising Black Metal, which premiered at the end of December 2022.

This March, Khold’s Svartsyn received a Spellemann / “Norwegian Grammy” nomination. Yes, I, the seer, was quick to acknowledge that Svartsyn was one of the best albums of 2022 both at year-end and in our group mid-year list.

Khold is currently preparing a new offering. Similarly, this August, Sarke recorded the eighth album by his eponymous “solo” project, which is fronted by Darkthrone’s Nocturno Culto. Thus, we can call Sarke one of the most productive men of 2023 along with the artists directly above and below.

Maxime Taccardi

In March, the brilliant and extraordinarily prolific musician and visual artist Maxime Taccardi wowed us with K.F.R’s awe-inspiring Pain/Ter. Taccardi describes this effort as his magnum opus. Pain/Ter boasts a jaw-dropping guest appearance by Niklas Kvarforth. Taccardi regards K.F.R as his main band, but he has various other magnificent projects. Thus, Taccardi furthermore amazed us in August with Maleficia, the debut album by his Necrotic Black Metal outfit Osculum Serpentis. This was followed in October by Osculum Serpentis’ sensational first EP, The Curse of the Vampyre.

This year, Taccardi should also be unleashing In Hell I Shall Be King by Kyūketsuki — an incredibly innovative band inspired by Japanese folklore and horror. Fortunately, some of In Hell I Shall Be King’s tracks have already premiered. We have actually heard In Hell I Shall Be King in its entirety, and it’s phenomenal. It features the Mütiilation legend Meyhna’ch. Speaking of Meyhna’ch, we can’t wait to hear Taccardi’s guest contributions on Suicide Circle’s Bukkake of Souls, which is set to drop on December 29.

Taccardi provided the widely circulated artwork for Shining, earning him even more acclaim in 2023. In the past, he has painted covers for Tulus and Sarke from our pick above.

Brage Kråbøl

Enevelde’s epic En Gildere Død first afflicted us with its sweet poison this May. It is an absolute must-hear, thanks to the stellar artistry of Brage Kråbøl. Brage enchants us with his fiery vocals and addictive melodies. He strikes a great balance between beauty and aggression.

Never, the debut album by the family project Kråbøl, was expected to come out this year. Fortunately, the track “Fundaments” has already dropped, and it’s superb. It showcases Brage on vocals, guitars, and synths; his father, Terje, on drums; his uncle, Stian, or “Crowbel,” whom we also included on this list, on bass; and M. Kråbøl on trumpet. The newest record by Misotheist, another one of Brage’s bands, was also supposed to be released in 2023, but we will have to wait.

Hoest

Taake’s latest effort, Et Hav av Avstand, features the pioneering luminary Hoest alone and earned a 5/5 here. During this year’s edition of Beyond the Gates, Hoest not only premiered this album at a preview party, but he delivered a special set that many championed as the highlight of the entire festival, where he also performed with Gorgoroth. Hoest formed Taake in 1993 as Thule. After 30 years, this icon hasn’t lost an ounce of his youthful, rebellious charm and charisma.

Thomas Eriksen

This March, Mork, the one-man project of Thomas Eriksen, surprised us with the most excellent album Dypet. In addition, Eriksen marked the 10th anniversary of Mork’s debut record, Isebakke (2013), with a special show; performed at many exciting events like Inferno Fest; conquered Asia last month; and rocked Brazil. Eriksen also visited the National Library of Norway, where his 2020 EP, Pesta, was displayed beside other classics from the end of March to mid-September.

Nag & Draugluin

After 30 years, Tsjuder’s core members, Nag and Draugluin, confirmed that they remain just as uncompromising as ever with the marvelous scorcher that is Helvegr. Not only did Helvegr sweep us away, but it earned a 6/6 from Norway’s esteemed Scream Magazine. As a bonus, Tsjuder also unveiled the five-song disc Tsjuder Tribute to Bathory — Scandinavian Black Metal Attack with ex-Bathory’s Frederick Melander.

Nag and Draugluin have always commanded respect. Thus, we are happy that these two fearsome self-described “Gods of Black Blood” managed to attract so much attention in 2023.