Shagrath
Encyclopedia
Shagrath is a Norwegian
musician best known as the vocalist of Dimmu Borgir
.
Shagrath is one of the founding members of Dimmu Borgir, along with Silenoz
and Tjodalv
. Shagrath's change from playing guitar to vocals is a part of what changed the band's sound. His contributions extend into the use of keyboards, bass guitar, and drums; as can be heard on For All Tid
. Since the departure of Mustis
in 2009, Shagrath returned to the keyboards during the recording of Abrahadabra
, but is once again only the vocalist with the addition of Gerlioz
to the band's touring line-up.
Shagrath also played guitar and drums in Fimbulwinter
until the band split up in 1994. Fimbulwinter released one album, Servants of Sorcery, through Hot Records in the year of 1994. Shagrath also played keyboards in another Norwegian black metal band called Ragnarok. Another unknown band was Starkness, a solo project of Shagrath. He is also the rhythm guitarist of the heavy metal
band Chrome Division
.
Shagrath also sports extensive tattoo
work. This work includes the word Shagrath across his stomach, various arm tattoos which cover his arms as well as extend to his upper chest.
In late 2009, Shagrath joined forces with King
and formed the band Ov Hell
. In February 2010 the band released their first album entitled "The Underworld Regime".
demon
from the book Lord of the Rings
. I chose the name thirteen years ago, so it's kinda crappy that Lord of the Rings has become so big now. Fortunately it [the name] didn't get that much attention in the movie, so it turned out all right.".
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...
musician best known as the vocalist of Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir...
.
Biography
Stian Thoresen was born on November 18, 1976 in Jessheim, outside of Oslo, Norway.Shagrath is one of the founding members of Dimmu Borgir, along with Silenoz
Silenoz
Silenoz , is a Norwegian guitarist who is a founding member, along with Shagrath and Tjodalv, of the Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir which he is the primary songwriter...
and Tjodalv
Tjodalv
Tjodalv is a Norwegian drummer. He is a founding member of both Dimmu Borgir and Old Man's Child. He now plays in Black Comedy and Susperia. Tjodalv played guitar on the first Dimmu Borgir albums Inn I Evighetens Mørke and For All Tid. He then switched to drumming for them on Stormblåst and...
. Shagrath's change from playing guitar to vocals is a part of what changed the band's sound. His contributions extend into the use of keyboards, bass guitar, and drums; as can be heard on For All Tid
For All Tid
-Dimmu Borgir:* Silenoz – lead vocals, rhythm guitar* Tjodalv – lead guitar, drums on Glittertind* Stian Aarstad – synthesizers, keyboards, effects* Brynjard Tristan – bass* Shagrath – drums, backing vocals, lead guitar on "Glittertind"...
. Since the departure of Mustis
Mustis
Mustis, the pseudonym of Øyvind Johan Mustaparta, born 10 September 1979, who is a Norwegian keyboardist best known for his work in the symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir. Mustis joined Dimmu Borgir in 1998 and contributed to their atmosphere with his melodic keyboard parts...
in 2009, Shagrath returned to the keyboards during the recording of Abrahadabra
Abrahadabra (album)
Abrahadabra is Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir's ninth studio album, released in 2010. The first single from the album, "Gateways", was released on August 20 in Europe and August 24 in North America. On September 14 a video for "Gateways" was released featuring Djerv front-woman,...
, but is once again only the vocalist with the addition of Gerlioz
Geir Bratland
Geir Bratland is the former keyboardist for the Norwegian band Apoptygma Berzerk and session keyboardist for The Kovenant and Satyricon. He is currently a touring keyboardist for Dimmu Borgir, under the stage name of Gerlioz.-External links:...
to the band's touring line-up.
Shagrath also played guitar and drums in Fimbulwinter
Fimbulwinter (band)
Fimbulwinter was a black metal band that was part of the early Norwegian black metal scene. It formed in Oslo during 1992 and released two demos that year. In 1994 it released its only album, Servants of Sorcery. Featuring a cover of Celtic Frost's "Morbid Tales", it was the first release by newly...
until the band split up in 1994. Fimbulwinter released one album, Servants of Sorcery, through Hot Records in the year of 1994. Shagrath also played keyboards in another Norwegian black metal band called Ragnarok. Another unknown band was Starkness, a solo project of Shagrath. He is also the rhythm guitarist of the heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Chrome Division
Chrome Division
Chrome Division is a heavy metal band from Norway formed in 2004 by Shagrath, the lead vocalist of symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, and Lex Icon, founder of The Kovenant...
.
Shagrath also sports extensive tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
work. This work includes the word Shagrath across his stomach, various arm tattoos which cover his arms as well as extend to his upper chest.
In late 2009, Shagrath joined forces with King
King ov Hell
Tom Cato Visnes , better known as King ov Hell or simply King, is a Norwegian musician and ex-teacher. He is best known as the former bassist of black metal band Gorgoroth, but he is also the co-founder of Ov Hell, God Seed, Jotunspor, Sahg and I...
and formed the band Ov Hell
Ov Hell
Ov Hell is a Norwegian black metal supergroup started by Shagrath and King ov Hell in 2009. The band's debut album, The Underworld Regime, was released in February 2010 by Indie Recordings.-Background:...
. In February 2010 the band released their first album entitled "The Underworld Regime".
Stage name
Shagrath has said this about his stage name: "Shagrath is an orcOrc
An orc is one of a race of mythical human-like creatures, generally described as fierce and combative, with grotesque features and often black, grey or greenish skin. This mythology has its origins in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien....
demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
from the book Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
. I chose the name thirteen years ago, so it's kinda crappy that Lord of the Rings has become so big now. Fortunately it [the name] didn't get that much attention in the movie, so it turned out all right.".
With Dimmu Borgir
- Inn I Evighetens MørkeInn I Evighetens MørkeInn i evighetens mørke is the first EP by Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir. It was first released as a demo in 1994, and later as an EP on december 17 in the same year, after the release of the debut album For All Tid...
(1993) - For All TidFor All Tid-Dimmu Borgir:* Silenoz – lead vocals, rhythm guitar* Tjodalv – lead guitar, drums on Glittertind* Stian Aarstad – synthesizers, keyboards, effects* Brynjard Tristan – bass* Shagrath – drums, backing vocals, lead guitar on "Glittertind"...
(1994) - StormblåstStormblåst-Personnel:*Silenoz – lead vocals, lead guitar*Shagrath – rhythm guitar, vocals*Tjodalv – drums*Brynjard Tristan – bass*Stian Aarstad – synthesizers, piano...
(1996) - Devil's PathDevil's Path (Dimmu Borgir EP)Devil's Path is an EP by Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir. It was originally released in 1996 by Hot Records. This album was reissued in 1999 along with the Old Man's Child Split EP In the Shades of Life, eventually becoming known as Sons of Satan Gather for Attack.-Track...
(1996) - Enthrone Darkness TriumphantEnthrone Darkness Triumphant-Chart performance:The album was a chart hit in a number of countries, in particular, it reached #3 in the German Albums Chart. It also peaked at #26 in the Finnish Albums Chart.-Personnel:*Shagrath - lead vocals, lead guitar...
(1997) - Godless Savage GardenGodless Savage GardenGodless Savage Garden is a compilation album by Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir. It was released in 1998 by Nuclear Blast and re-released on 3 October 2006 with 2 bonus tracks....
(1998) - Sons of Satan Gather for AttackSons of Satan Gather for AttackSons of Satan Gather for Attack is a split album between Dimmu Borgir and Old Man's Child. It is actually a compilation of two EPs: Dimmu Borgir's Devil's Path, and Old Man's Child's In the Shades of Life. It was originally released in 1999 as Devil's Path/In the Shades of Life by Hammerheart Records...
(split EP with Old Man's ChildOld Man's ChildOld Man's Child is a black metal band from Norway. The band is the brainchild of Galder who is the only permanent member of the band now.-Formation:...
) (1999) - Spiritual Black DimensionsSpiritual Black Dimensions-Personnel:Dimmu Borgir*Shagrath - lead vocals*Silenoz - rhythm guitar*Astennu - lead guitar*Nagash - bass, backing vocals*Tjodalv - drums*Mustis - synthesizers, pianoGuests*ICS Vortex - clean vocals on tracks 1,3,7,9*Peter Tagtgren - Engineering and mix...
(1999) - True Kings of NorwayTrue Kings of Norway-Notes:*Tracks 1 - 2 from Emperor's As the Shadows Rise*Track 3 is an Emperor song previously unreleased*Tracks 4 - 6 from Immortal's Immortal EP*Tracks 7 - 9 from Dimmu Borgir's Inn I Evighetens Mørke...
(2000) (split with EmperorEmperor (band)Emperor was a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991. They dissolved in 2001, but reunited in 2006 and again in 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours. The group was founded by Samoth and Ihsahn .-Biography:...
, ImmortalImmortal (band)Immortal is a black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1990 by current frontman/guitarist Abbath Doom Occulta and former guitarist Demonaz Doom Occulta...
, AncientAncient (band)Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band from Eidsvåg, Nesset, formed in 1992. The band has released six full-length albums released by Metal Blade Records and a variety of mini-albums, EPs and special releases. Ancient used to have the classic raw black metal sound, similar to Darkthrone's works...
, and ArcturusArcturus (band)Arcturus is an avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1987. They named it Arcturus , after the Behenian fixed star Arcturus.-Biography:The band has released four official full-length albums...
) (1998) - Puritanical Euphoric MisanthropiaPuritanical Euphoric Misanthropia-Band members:*Shagrath – lead vocals, synthesizers*Silenoz – rhythm guitar*Galder – lead guitar*ICS Vortex – bass, clean vocals on tracks 3, 4, 8, 10 & "Burn In Hell" *Nicholas Barker – drums*Mustis – synthesizers, piano-Guests:...
(2001) - Alive in TormentAlive in Torment-Personnel:*Shagrath – lead vocals*Silenoz – rhythm guitar*Galder – lead guitar*Nicholas Barker – drums*ICS Vortex – bass, clean vocals*Mustis – synthesizers, piano...
(2001) - World MisanthropyWorld Misanthropy-Personnel:*Shagrath – lead vocals*Silenoz – rhythm guitar*Galder – lead guitar*Nicholas Barker – drums*ICS Vortex – bass, clean vocals*Mustis – synthesizers, piano...
(2002) - Death Cult ArmageddonDeath Cult Armageddon-Band members:*Shagrath – vocals*Silenoz – rhythm guitar*Galder – lead guitar*ICS Vortex – bass, clean vocals on tracks 2 & 7*Mustis – grand piano & synth*Nicholas Barker – drums-Guests:* Abbath – vocals on tracks 2 & 11...
(2003) - Stormblåst MMV (2005)
- In Sorte DiaboliIn Sorte DiaboliIn Sorte Diaboli is Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir's eighth studio album, released in 2007. It is the band's first concept album. A site on the Nuclear Blast website was created for In Sorte Diaboli, in which a new promotional photo can be seen and an audio sample can be heard...
(2007) - AbrahadabraAbrahadabra (album)Abrahadabra is Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir's ninth studio album, released in 2010. The first single from the album, "Gateways", was released on August 20 in Europe and August 24 in North America. On September 14 a video for "Gateways" was released featuring Djerv front-woman,...
(2010) - Forces of the Northern Night (2011)
With Chrome Division
- 3rd Round Knockout (2011)
- Doomsday Rock 'N Roll (2006)
- Booze, Broads and BeelzebubBooze, Broads and BeelzebubBooze, Broads and Beelzebub is the second studio album by Norwegian heavy metal band Chrome Division. It was released on July 18, 2008 through Nuclear Blast. The band announced that they had finished recording the album on January 15, 2008 on their MySpace blog, and announced the title and the...
(2008)
As a guest vocalist
- AstarteAstarte (band)Astarte is an all-female black metal band from Athens, Greece, named after the goddess Astarte.-History:Astarte first formed under the name Lloth in September 1995 at Elefsina, Attica. The original line-up included Maria Kolokouri , a.k.a. Tristessa , Nemesis , and Kinthia...
- SirensSirens (Astarte album)Sirens is the fourth album released by the Greek Black metal band Astarte. It was released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Dark Infected Circles " – 4:40# "Black Mighty Gods" – 5:37# "Lloth" – 2:38...
(2004, song "The Ring of Sorrow") - DiazDiaz (musician)Diaz is a rapper from Jessheim, Norway, born 26 July 1976. His father Andres Rafael Diaz Rosa is Spanish and his mother Inger is Norwegian...
- Velkommen Hjem Andres (2004, song "Mitt Terningkast") - DestructionDestruction (band)Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...
- Inventor of EvilInventor of EvilInventor of Evil is the ninth full-length album by the German thrash metal band Destruction, released in 2005.- Track listing :- Personnel :*Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer – bass, vocals*Mike Sifringer – guitar*Marc Reign – drums*Maxine C...
(2005, song "The Alliance of Hellhoundz") - KamelotKamelotKamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
- The Black HaloThe Black HaloThere is also a short hidden track in the pregap. Rewinding from "March of Mephisto" on some CD players reveal a couple entering a theatre and being told that they have "just made it to the second act", referring to The Black Halo as the second album in a two-part concept.- March of Mephisto :In...
(2005, songs "March of Mephisto" and "Memento Mori") - SusperiaSusperiaSusperia is a Norwegian black/thrash metal band formed in October 1998 by Tjodalv and Cyrus.The band was originally named Seven Sins, but since there was another band with that name they changed it to the title of the horror film Suspiria, but changed the spelling to avoid copyright issues...
- AttitudeAttitude (Susperia album)Attitude is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian thrash metal band Susperia.- Track listing :* All Songs Written By Susperia.# "The Urge" – 3:58# "Live My Dreams" – 3:30# "Attitude" – 3:41# "Elegy And Suffering" – 3:58# "Sick Bastard" – 4:06...
(2009, song "Sick Bastard")