Ansur
Encyclopedia
Ansur is a progressive
extreme metal
trio
from Drammen
, Norway
with elements from both black and death metal, and 70s progressive rock
as well as other genres.
Ansur is originally the name of a Norse/Viking rune. Several other organizations also use the name, including a satellite communications company and a maker of horse saddles.
during 2005. Carved In Flesh
received some underground press, at the hand of Nerbilous and Irminsul.
That same year Werme exited, leaving Aulie to assume bass duties, as Ansur welcomed in new members second guitarist Stian A. Svenne and drummer Glenn G. A. Ferguson. Recording commenced on a debut album, entitled Axiom
, in July 2005.
The band signed to Nocturnal Art Productions and Candlelight Records
in March 2006, issuing the debut Axiom
album in September.
Axiom received good press both in Norway and Europe, and they were named "Norwegian newcomer of the year" by the Norwegian Scream Magazine
. Axiom did not see a proper U.S. release, though it can be bought in American stores.
The bands second album is called Warring Factions
. This unique album draws influences from varied metal generes as well as 70's progressive rock, in the bands own special way. Warring Factions
was released 21 April 2008 on Nocturnal Art/Candlelight
, to much applause from the metal press.
Stian A. Svenne parted ways with the band just before the finishing of Warring Factions
, and in came Audun Førde on organs (Førde also played the organ solo on the opening song on Warring Factions
titled "The Tunguska Incident"). Førde parted with the band in late 2008, and was replaced by Nicolay Tangen Svennæs. Svennæs is the first member of the band with musical education, he has studied classical and jazz. Glenn Ferguson left the band in early 2010, due to musical differences.
It was announced on 12 June 2011, that writing music under the Ansur name had ceased, choosing to continue in a different direction under another band name, which has yet to be announced.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
from Drammen
Drammen
Drammen is a city in Buskerud County, Norway. The port and river city of Drammen is centrally located in the eastern and most populated part of Norway.-Location:...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
with elements from both black and death metal, and 70s progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
as well as other genres.
Ansur is originally the name of a Norse/Viking rune. Several other organizations also use the name, including a satellite communications company and a maker of horse saddles.
History
The band came originally came together as a black metal-based trio, comprising singer Espen A. R. Aulie, guitarist Torstein J. Nipe and bass player Aslak A. Werme. They came up with a self-titled demo, cut at Lyst & Glede Studios, a year later. Originally only 50 copies were pressed but South Korean label Nerbilous Productions re-issued the demo commercially, re-branding it as Carved In FleshCarved in Flesh
Carved in Flesh is a demo/EP by Ansur.It was recorded and released in 2004, under the name "Demo 2004". It was later released in 2005 by Nerbilous Productions, under the name "Carved in Flesh...
during 2005. Carved In Flesh
Carved in Flesh
Carved in Flesh is a demo/EP by Ansur.It was recorded and released in 2004, under the name "Demo 2004". It was later released in 2005 by Nerbilous Productions, under the name "Carved in Flesh...
received some underground press, at the hand of Nerbilous and Irminsul.
That same year Werme exited, leaving Aulie to assume bass duties, as Ansur welcomed in new members second guitarist Stian A. Svenne and drummer Glenn G. A. Ferguson. Recording commenced on a debut album, entitled Axiom
Axiom (album)
-Track listing:# "Earth Erasure" – 3:19 # "Post-Apocalyptic Wastelands" – 5:08 # "Interloper" – 9:03 # "Desert Messiah" – 8:16 # "Sowers of Discord" – 7:07 # "The Axiom Depicted" – 11:02 -Credits:* Torstein J. Nipe - guitars...
, in July 2005.
The band signed to Nocturnal Art Productions and Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records is an independent record label based in Europe founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal and death metal, having bands such as Emperor,...
in March 2006, issuing the debut Axiom
Axiom (album)
-Track listing:# "Earth Erasure" – 3:19 # "Post-Apocalyptic Wastelands" – 5:08 # "Interloper" – 9:03 # "Desert Messiah" – 8:16 # "Sowers of Discord" – 7:07 # "The Axiom Depicted" – 11:02 -Credits:* Torstein J. Nipe - guitars...
album in September.
Axiom received good press both in Norway and Europe, and they were named "Norwegian newcomer of the year" by the Norwegian Scream Magazine
Scream Magazine
Scream Magazine is a Norwegian magazine established in 1990 which pertains to heavy metal and hard rock music. The editor of the magazine since 1990 has been Frode Øien. In October 2005, the magazine celebrated its 100th issue and its 15th anniversary....
. Axiom did not see a proper U.S. release, though it can be bought in American stores.
The bands second album is called Warring Factions
Warring Factions
-Track listing:# "The Tunguska Incident" – 8:45# "Sierra Day" – 5:53# "Phobos Anomaly" – 6:20# "An Exercise In Depth Of Field" – 12:16# "At His Wit's End" – 7:59# "Cloudscaper" – 7:42# "Prime Warring Eschatologist" – 12:39-Band members:...
. This unique album draws influences from varied metal generes as well as 70's progressive rock, in the bands own special way. Warring Factions
Warring Factions
-Track listing:# "The Tunguska Incident" – 8:45# "Sierra Day" – 5:53# "Phobos Anomaly" – 6:20# "An Exercise In Depth Of Field" – 12:16# "At His Wit's End" – 7:59# "Cloudscaper" – 7:42# "Prime Warring Eschatologist" – 12:39-Band members:...
was released 21 April 2008 on Nocturnal Art/Candlelight
Candlelight
Candlelight or Candlelighting may refer to:*Light created by a candle*Candlelighting, the lighting of Shabbat candles*Candlelight Records*Candlelight , a song by Csézy*Candlelight , a song by the band six.byseven...
, to much applause from the metal press.
Stian A. Svenne parted ways with the band just before the finishing of Warring Factions
Warring Factions
-Track listing:# "The Tunguska Incident" – 8:45# "Sierra Day" – 5:53# "Phobos Anomaly" – 6:20# "An Exercise In Depth Of Field" – 12:16# "At His Wit's End" – 7:59# "Cloudscaper" – 7:42# "Prime Warring Eschatologist" – 12:39-Band members:...
, and in came Audun Førde on organs (Førde also played the organ solo on the opening song on Warring Factions
Warring Factions
-Track listing:# "The Tunguska Incident" – 8:45# "Sierra Day" – 5:53# "Phobos Anomaly" – 6:20# "An Exercise In Depth Of Field" – 12:16# "At His Wit's End" – 7:59# "Cloudscaper" – 7:42# "Prime Warring Eschatologist" – 12:39-Band members:...
titled "The Tunguska Incident"). Førde parted with the band in late 2008, and was replaced by Nicolay Tangen Svennæs. Svennæs is the first member of the band with musical education, he has studied classical and jazz. Glenn Ferguson left the band in early 2010, due to musical differences.
It was announced on 12 June 2011, that writing music under the Ansur name had ceased, choosing to continue in a different direction under another band name, which has yet to be announced.
Last line-up
- Torstein J. Nipe - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (2003–2011) - Espen A. R. Aulie - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(2003–2011)
Former members
- Nicolay T. Svennæs - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(2008–2010) - Glenn G. A. Ferguson - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2004–2010) - Audun Førde - hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
(2008) - Stian A. Svenne - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (2004–2008) - Aslak A. Werme - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2003–2004)
Discography
- 2005: Carved In FleshCarved in FleshCarved in Flesh is a demo/EP by Ansur.It was recorded and released in 2004, under the name "Demo 2004". It was later released in 2005 by Nerbilous Productions, under the name "Carved in Flesh...
- 2006: AxiomAxiom (album)-Track listing:# "Earth Erasure" – 3:19 # "Post-Apocalyptic Wastelands" – 5:08 # "Interloper" – 9:03 # "Desert Messiah" – 8:16 # "Sowers of Discord" – 7:07 # "The Axiom Depicted" – 11:02 -Credits:* Torstein J. Nipe - guitars...
- 2008: Warring FactionsWarring Factions-Track listing:# "The Tunguska Incident" – 8:45# "Sierra Day" – 5:53# "Phobos Anomaly" – 6:20# "An Exercise In Depth Of Field" – 12:16# "At His Wit's End" – 7:59# "Cloudscaper" – 7:42# "Prime Warring Eschatologist" – 12:39-Band members:...