Taake Announces Italian Tour And Additional European Dates In Run Up To Tour With Aeternus And Slegest

Norwegian Black Metallers TAAKE are set to play a short tour in Italy in April, as well as three additional dates in Europe in the run up to the previously announced European tour with DARK ESSENCE RECORDS label mates - the veteran Dark Metallers AETERNUS and SLEGEST, the new project from former VREID guitarist Ese. 

Full routing for all the upcoming dates as follows: 

ITALIAN MINI TOUR

29 April: Traffic Live Club, Rome

30 April: Cycle Club, Calenzano 

01 May: Circolo Colony, Brescia 

02 May: Tipogragfia Club, Pescara

03 May: Demode Club, Modugno

EUROPEAN TOUR (with local supports)

05 May:  GalaHala , Ljubljana, Slovenia

06 May:  Escape Metal Corner, Vienna, Austria

07 May:  Alte Kaserne , Zurich, Switzerland

EUROPEAN TOUR WITH AETERNUS AND SLEGEST

08 May: Le Ferrailleur, Nantes, France

09 May:  Le Divan du Monde, Paris, France

10 May:  The Garage, London, UK

11 May:  Soundcontrol, Manchester, UK

12 May:  Ivory Blacks, Glasgow, Scotland

13 May: 013, Tilburg, Netherlands

14 May: Club From Hell, Erfurt, Germany

15 May: Rock It, Aalen, Germany

16 May: Helvete, Oberhausen, Germany

17 May: Huggins Awakening Fest, Devil's Corner, Leffinge, Belgium (without AETERNUS)

Having celebrated TAAKE's 20th Anniversary last year with the release of "Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner", a 20-song, 2 CD collection of rarities, the contribution that frontman and founder Hoest has made to the Black Metal scene, both in terms of recording and performing, is immeasurable.  Time has not stood still for a band that is not afraid to take risks, but which has always remained true to its roots.  Whilst many new Black Metal bands have steadfastly refused to move away from the generic formula that frequently risks sinking the whole genre into a sea of platitudes and unoriginality, TAAKE has shown that Black Metal is still very much alive, fresh, original and thriving. 

The official video for the track “Nordbundet” from the TAAKE album “Noreg’s Vaapen” can be seen below.

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More information about TAAKE at facebook.taakeofficial

TAAKE, AETERNUS AND SLEGEST SET TO TOUR TOGETHER IN MAY

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS will field three of its bands for a ten-date European tour in May.  Along for what promises to be an epic programme of Extreme music are iconic Black Metallers TAAKE,  veteran Dark Metallers AETERNUS and SLEGEST, the new project from former VREID guitarist Ese. 

Routing for the TAAKE, AETERNUS, SLEGEST May 2014 tour as follows:

Thu 08: Le Ferrailleur, Nantes, FR

Fri 09:  Le Divan du Monde, Paris, FR

Sat 10:  The Garage, London, UK

Sun 11:  Soundcontrol, Manchester, UK

Mon 12:  Ivory Blacks, Glasgow, Scotland

Tue 13: 013, Tilburg, NL

Wed 14: Club From Hell, Erfurt, DE

Thu 15: Rock It, Aalen, DE

Fri 16: Helvete, Oberhausen, DE

Sat 17: TBC

Formed in 1993, and having celebrated their 20th Anniversary last year with the release of "Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner", a 20-song, 2 CD collection of rarities, TAAKE is a band that needs no introduction to any fan of Norwegian Black Metal, and founder Hoest's  contribution to the genre is immense.  The epitome of what a Black Metal frontman should be, Hoest has remained true to his Black Metal roots, but at the same time he is constantly able to surprise his fans with his ability to breathe life and originality into a genre that is often mired in preconceptions .  More information about TAAKE here.

Founded in 1993 by guitarist and frontman Ares, AETERNUS  is one of the pioneers of what the band calls “Dark Metal”, a genre that combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal with superlative guitar playing and occasional haunting, melodic interludes.  AETERNUS re-emerged last year from a seven-year hiatus with, appropriately enough, the release of their seventh full-length album "...And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth”,  and a new line up that comprises Ares on guitars and vocals, Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums,  Specter (TORTORUM, ex GRAVDAL) on guitars and Eld (KRAKOW, VITHR, ISABELLA LEROY) on bass.  More information about AETERNUS can be found here.

Following his departure from VREID, where he played guitar on four of the iconic band’s albums Ese formed SLEGEST in 2010, so whilst the band may be a relative newcomer compared to its tour-mates TAAKE and AETERNUS, its founder has a wealth of skill and experience to draw on.  Inspired by BLACK SABBATH, Ese uses harsh vocals to create a special blend of classic heavy rock and old-school black metal that is both dark and sinister whilst being propelled along by a down and dirty groove that is immediate and catchy and which earned last year's debut album plaudits from critics and fans alike.   Aside from Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, SLEGEST’s live line up includes  Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER)  on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums.  More information on SLEGEST.

SLEGEST Unleashes Music Video For "Ho Som Haustar Aleine"

With just over a week to go before the release of “Løyndom”, the debut album from Norway’s SLEGEST, the band has released a music video for the opening track of the album “Ho Som Haustar Aleine”.  The video,  produced by Håvard Nesbø and Ørjan Talle, features the band’s newly formed live-lineup, which includes founder Ese (ex-VREID) on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums. The video is being debuted by Metal Hammer Norway and can be seen below.

SLEGEST, formed in 2010 by former VREID guitarist Ese originally as a solo studio project, plays a mix of classic Heavy Rock combined with old-school black metal vocals. The band’s first release, a self-titled EP, appeared in 2012, after which SLEGEST inked a deal with Dark Essence Records for the release of the debut full-length album. “Løyndom”  was recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen and was mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen.  The artwork for “Løyndom” includes drawings by Jan Magne Vigdal and design by Tom Korsvold.  Tracklisting for “Løyndom”, which is set to hit the streets on the 7^th October as follows:

1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine
2. Rooted In Knowledge
3. I Slike Stunder
4. Løgna Sin Fiende
5. The Path Of No Return
6. Faceless Queen
7. Dirt Life Death
8. Past Burden Strength

More information about SLEGEST can be found here or here.

Dark Essence Records Debuts Track From Upcoming Slegest Album

With a release date for SLEGEST’s debut full-length album “Løyndom” set for the 7^th October, Dark Essence Records has today previewed a track from what will be the debut album from former VREID guitarist Ese.   “Ho Som Haustar Aleine” is the opening track from “Løyndom” and can be heard below.

Recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen, and mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, “Løyndom” (Secret), is a mix of classic heavy rock and old school black metal that has an distinctly down and dirty, and addictively catchy,  groove running through it.  Track listing for “Løyndom” as follows:

1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine

2. Rooted In Knowledge

3. I Slike Stunder

4. Løgna Sin Fiende

5. The Path Of No Return

6. Faceless Queen

7. Dirt Life Death

8. Past Burden Strength

When, following his departure from VREID where he played on four albums,  Ese formed SLEGEST in 2010, his original  intention was that it should be a solo project, and,  indeed,  apart from a guest solo by former VREID band-mate Sture, Ese  plays all the instruments himself on “Løyndom”.  However, it soon became clear to everyone who heard the album that SLEGEST was a live band waiting to happen, and a live line-up has now been put together, which, apart from Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, consists of  Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER)  on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums.    

SLEGEST is also busy putting the finishing touches to a music video for “Ho Som Haustar Aleine”.  Produced by Håvard Nesbø and Ørjan Talle, the video will premiere before the release of “Løyndom”.

More information about SLEGEST can be found here.

SLEGEST ANNOUNCES LIVE LINE UP. NEW MUSIC VIDEO IN THE WORKS

With a new album about to be released, SLEGEST founder and frontman Ese has put together a live lineup to take what was initially a solo project onto the stage.   “As soon as the album was announced I was being asked if the band would ever play live” says the former VREID guitarist, “and, as it happens, the time felt right to take the next step in SLEGEST’s development. Once I had everyone on board, the thought of playing live again felt really good.  It’s one of the greatest satisfactions there is when you play music, and honestly we can’t wait to get up there on stage”.  Aside from Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, SLEGEST’s live line up includes  Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER)  on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums.

SLEGEST are also working on a music video for “Ho Som Haustar Aleine” the opening track on the band’s upcoming album “Løyndom”.  The video is being produced by Håvard Nesbø and Ørjan Talle, and, according to Ese, the budget is 1 case of Hansa beer and 1 litre of Mackmyra Brukswhisky! The video will premiere in September.

“Løyndom” (Secret) will be the band’s debut full-length album, and is set for release on Dark Essence records in the autumn.  Mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen and recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen, the artwork for “Løyndom”  includes drawings by Jan Magne Vigdal and design by Tom Korsvold.  Track listing on the 8-track album, which is a perfect showcase for Ese’s special blend of classic heavy rock and old-school black metal, is as follows:

1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine

2. Rooted In Knowledge

3. I Slike Stunder

4. Løgna Sin Fiende

5. The Path Of No Return

6. Faceless Queen

7. Dirt Life Death

8. Past Burden Strength

Five tracks from SLEGEST can be heard via the band’s SoundCloud page.

More information about SLEGEST can be found here/.

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS REVEALS TRACK LIST AND ARTWORK FOR DEBUT ALBUM FROM SLEGEST

Dark Essence Records has revealed more details about the debut album from SLEGEST, the solo project of former VREID guitarist Ese.  Set for release later this year, the eight-track album will be titled “Løyndom” (Secret) and was recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen.  The album is mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen.  Track listing for “Løyndom” as follows:

1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine

2. Rooted In Knowledge

3. I Slike Stunder

4. Løgna Sin Fiende

5. The Path Of No Return

6. Faceless Queen

7. Dirt Life Death

8. Past Burden Strength

SLEGEST was born in 2010, following Ese’s departure from VREID, where he played guitar on four of the iconic band’s albums.  Drawing his inspiration from BLACK SABBATH, Ese’s use of harsh vocals to create a special blend of classic heavy rock and old-school black metal was used to great effect on the band’s first release, the self-titled SLEGEST EP which appeared in 2012.  One year later Ese has developed SLEGEST’s sound further, honing it to achieve a result that is both dark and sinister, whilst at the same time losing none of the dirtiness that can be heard in the unmistakable catchy groove that weaves its way through the music.

Whilst SLEGEST started life as solo project, with Ese handling vocals and playing all the instruments on “Løyndom”, apart from a guest solo by former VREID band-mate Sture, it became apparent very quickly to everyone who heard the album that the potential for taking SLEGEST further and turning it into a live band was unmistakable and to ignore it would be insanity.  As a result a live line-up has been put together and will be seen at festivals in the near future. 

Slegest`s Wall Painted Black can be heard below.

Dark Essence on Facebook
Slegest Facebook

SLEGEST Joins to Dark Essence Records

SLEGEST, the solo project of former VREID guitarist Ese, has inked a deal with Dark Essence Records for the release of the band’s debut full length album.  No release date has yet been set, but it is anticipated that the album will appear world-wide towards the end of 2013. 

Formed in 2010, it was the intention of Ese to create Black Sabbath inspired music with harsh vocals.  An idea he took further, developing SLEGEST into the entity it is today, with its rock-orientated sound distinguished by a distinctive Black Metal edge.  SLEGEST’s first release was the self-titled 2012 EP, which appeared as both a digital release and as a 7” vinyl on Ese’s own label Systrond Recordings.  Work on writing new material for the as yet untitled debut full-length album began in 2012, and the drum tracks have already been laid down at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, Norway.  

Whilst many maintain that solo projects can be limiting, Ese sees things very differently. As SLEGEST’s main (and only) man explains:  “When you have to play every instrument yourself it does impose certain limitations on what you can, and cannot, do.  But I have always had a very definite vision as to how I want SLEGEST to sound, and these limitations are very positive for the fulfilment of that vision”.

Slegest Photos by Ørjan Talle and Håvard Nesbø

Slegest on Facebook 

Dark Essence on Facebook