HeavyHardMetalmania: Ragnarök "Final Destiny Of The Gods" The Story!

Ragnarok ("Doom of the Gods"), also called Götterdämmerung, meaning "Twilight Of The Gods".

Country of origin: Norway

Location: Sarpsborg

Status: Active

Year of creation: 1994

Genre: Black Metal

Lyrical themes: Paganism, Vikings, Anti-Christianity, Satanism

Current label: Regain Records

Members
Jontho Drums (1994-present) / Vocals (backing) (1994-present)

See also: ex-Endezzma, ex-Tsjuder, ex-Kharon, ex-Excelsis

Decepticon Bass (2008-present) / Vocals (backing)

See also: Criterion, Nebular Mystic, Quadrivium, Sectumsempra, Vidsyn, ex-Carpticon

Brigge Guitars (2008-present)

See also: Kharon, ex-Sunshine's Gone

Pål Espen Johannesen Keyboards (session) (1995-1997)

Sander Vocals (1999-2000)

See also: ex-Sunshine's Gone, ex-Infanticide, ex-Excelsis

Astaroth Vocals (2000-2001)

Lord Arcamous Guitars (2001-2002) / Vocals (2001-2002)

Ørjan Stedjeberg Vocals (2002-2007)

See also: Deathcult, Gaahlskagg, Gigantomachy, Taake, ex-Ofryskje, ex-Ravengod, ex-Thule, ex-Secht, ex-Slavia

Live Musicians

Bolverk Guitars (2011-present)

Ragnarok is a Norwegian black metal band. The band was formed in Sarpsborg, Norway in 1994 by Jerv and Jontho, after they left Thoth, their previous band. Lyrical themes include paganism, Vikings, anti-Christianity, and Satanism. The band's name comes from the Old Norse word ragnarök, which in Norse mythology refers to a prophesied war of the gods.

History

Ragnarok made a name for themselves locally by recording demo tracks and a compilation album including the song Et Vinterland i Nord with their original lineup, consisting of Jerv on bass, Jontho on drums, Rym on guitar and Thyme as the vocalist. The band received good feedback for their demo work and soon signed to the cult label Head Not Found Records, who released Ragnarok's debut album Nattferd in 1995.

The band was generally dissatisfied with Head Not Found Records, and intended to leave in 1996, but were persuaded to sign a contract for two more albums after the label offered them a much better deal. Unfortunately, this deal meant that Ragnarok was forced to turn down a deal with Century Media, who expressed interest in signing the band after a show in Oslo later that same year.

In 1997, work was begun on Ragnarok's second album, titled Arising Realm, which featured Shagrath of the band Dimmu Borgir on keyboards. In 1998, Ragnarok went on tour for the first time, playing eight shows in Denmark and Germany in addition to the Hellraiser Festival in Leipzig. At the end of the year Ragnarok started recording Diabolical Age, their third album. Diabolical Age was not finished until late in 1999, and by the time it was actually released Thyme had left the band, to be replaced by vocalist Astaroth, and Sander had joined as a second guitarist. It was soon clear, however, that Sander was not cut out to perform with the band, so he was kicked out and replaced with Lord Arcamous shortly after the eventual release of Diabolical Age in 2000.

Later in 2000, Ragnarok embarked on a short tour with Swedish band Satanic Slaughter, in the course of which it became clear that Astaroth was not capable of continuing on with the band. He left the band after the tour. Lord Arcamous filled in as vocalist for the recording of the album In Nomine Satanas on Regain Records, but he himself was replaced with Hoest of the band Taake in 2002.

After Hoest joined the band, Ragnarok was finally able to go on tour and perfect their sound for their next album. Blackdoor Miracle was recorded in 2004, and both the band and its fans were pleased with the results.After a renewal of the lineup the only remaining old member, drummer Jontho, announced they will start touring with the new lineup and are planning for a new album through Regain Records early 2009.

In 2010, they released their new album, Collectors of the King through Regain Records.

1994 :: Ragnarok was formed by Jontho and Jerv. At the end of the year Ragnarok recorded a demo called "Pagan Land".

Et Vinterland I Nord

Type: Demo

Release date: 1994

Label: Gronn Musikk

1. Et Vinterland I Nord 05:15

Pagan Land

Pagan Land
Type: Demo

Release date: 1995
Label: Self-released/independent

1. Intro 01:55
2. Pagan Land 02:38
3. From the Darkest Deep 04:28
4. Et Vinterland I Nord 05:35
5. Hammerens Slag 03:16
6. Ragnarok 05:07 22:59

1995 :: Signed with the cult label Head Not Found Records. Ragnarok went to X-Ray Studios again in the summer to record their debut album called "Nattferd".

Nattferd

Nattferd
Type: Full-length
Release date: May 1995
Label: Head Not Found

1. Intro 01:53
2. Pagan Land 02:34
3. Age of Pride 07:04
4. From the Darkest Deep 04:25
5. Daudens Natt 06:40
6. The Norse Winter Demon 04:51
7. Hammerens Slag 03:09
8. Minner Om Svunne Tider 04:23
9. Et Vinterland i Nord 05:33
10. Ragnarok 04:58
11. Nattferd/Outro 02:12
47:42

1997 :: Ragnarok entered the studio X-Ray in Sarpsborg once more to record the second opus called "Arising Realm" and released it the same year. Ragnarok also got some help from Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir to play the keyboards on this album.

Arising Realm

Arising Realm
Type: Full-length
Release date: May 21st, 1997
Label: Head Not Found

1. Intro 02:21
2. God is Wasted 04:18
3. Searching For My Dark Desire 04:50
4. En Verden Av Stein 04:00
5. Time Before Birth of Light 05:30
6. My Hate is His Spirit 03:03
7. My Refuge in Darkness 04:58
8. The Reflection From the Star World Above 04:20
9. The Fall of Christianity 02:38
10. The Predicted Future 07:13
11. For the World I am Blinded 04:37
12. Outro 02:06
49:54

1998 :: Ragnarok went on their first tour with Siebenbürgen from Sweden and Atanatos from Germany. At the end of the year Ragnarok was ready to record their third album called "Diabolical Age", and the recording and mixing went on throughout 1999.

Diabolical Age

2000 :: "Diabolical Age" album was finally released.

Diabolical Age
Type: Full-length
Release date: 2000
Label: Head Not Found

1. It's War 07:16
2. Nocturnal Sphere 08:28
3. Diabolical Age 07:07
4. Certain Death 05:16
5. The Heart of Satan 05:27
6. Devestated Christ 08:32
7. The Key Is Turned for the 7th Time 06:13
8. Postludium 05:55 instrumental
54:14

2001 :: Signed a record deal with swedish Regain Records. Ragnarok entered the Abyss Studio to record the 4th album "In Nomine Satanas".

2002 :: The release of "In Nomine Satanas" took place and Ragnarok went on tour with Dark Funeral, Anorexia Nevosa, Occult and Tidfall. Later the same year Ragnarok toured the X-mass Festivals in Europe together with Six Feet Under, Exodus, Marduk, Macabre, Impaled Nazarene, Immolation, Hate Eternal and Anteus.

In Nomine Satanas

Type: Full-length

Release date: January 21st, 2002

Label: Regain Records

1. In Nomine Satanas 05:05
2. The Black Mass 03:59
3. A Nights Kingdom 06:01
4. The Beast of Madness 04:51
5. Under the Wings of Satan 04:45
6. In Inferno I Drown 06:22
7. Crowned as Prince of Darkness 06:21
8. Angel Corpse 05:32
9. Encircled by Chaos 05:10 48:06

2003 :: Ragnarok entered the Abyss Studio in March to record the next album Blackdoor Miracle. Ragnarok performed at the Inferno Festival.

2004 :: "Blackdoor Miracle" was released.

Blackdoor Miracle

Type: Full-lengthRelease date: March 26th, 2004

Label: Regain Records

1. Preludium 01:54 instrumental
2. Heir Of Darkness 04:26
3. Recreation Of The Angel 06:18
4. Rites Of Geburah 04:30
5. Blackdoor Miracle 04:43
6. Murder 05:17
7. Kneel 04:06
8. Bless Thee For Granting Me Pain 04:14
9. Journey From Life 06:45
10. It's War (bonus track, re-recording) 07:16
49:29

2008 :: After some years with nothing happening, the line-up was completly changed and original founding member Jontho reformed Ragnarok and performed at the Storm of Destruction festival. The songwriting for the upcoming album was ongoing throughout the year.

2009 :: Early this year "Collectors Of The King" was recorded in Endarker Studio in Sweden. Ragnarok kicked ass at the Northern Lights Festival in the Austrian mountains.

2010 :: Finally Ragnarok is back, starting the year with touring Russia. "Collectors Of The King" was due to be released in March. The easter was celebrated with the performance at the infamous Inferno Festival in Norway, followed up with an european headliner tour with supporting acts like spanish Noctem and UK doom-proggers De Profundis. After an appearance at Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic, Ragnarok teamed up with swedish blackmetal masters Marduk and Valkyrja for an european tour. In november Vader was accompanied by Ragnarok for a short brazilian tour.

Collectors of the King

Type: Full-length
Release date: March 22nd, 2010
Label: Regain Records

1. Resurrection 00:54
2. Stabbed by the Horns 04:57
3. Burning the Earth 05:17
4. In Honour of Satan 05:28
5. Collectors of the King 04:14
6. Eternal Damnation 03:54
7. The Ancient Crown of Glory 04:10
8. May Madness Hunt You Down 05:06
9. Wisdom of Perfection 04:40
38:40

2011 :: Songwriting for Ragnaroks 7th studioalbum has started and another european tour was executed, supported by Nervochaos from Brazil.

The north portal of the 11th century

Urnes stave church has been interpreted

as containing depictions of snakes and

dragons that represent Ragnarök^[1]

Curiosity

In Norse mythology, Ragnarök (Old Norse "final destiny of the gods") is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdall, and Loki), the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water. Afterward, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and reborn gods will meet, and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors. Ragnarök is an important event in the Norse canon, and has been the subject of scholarly discourse and theory.

The event is attested primarily in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. In the Prose Edda, and a single poem in the Poetic Edda, the event is referred to as Ragnarökr orRagnarökkr (Old Norse "Doom of the Gods"), a usage popularized by 19th century composer Richard Wagner with the title of the last of his Der Ring des Nibelungen operas, Götterdämmerung.

For other uses, see Ragnarök (disambiguation).