Naglfar is a Swedish melodic black metal band formed in 1992. Jens Rydén and Kristoffer Olivius first established the group as Uninterred.

History Naglfar formed in 1992Rivadavia, Eduardo "Naglfar Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 4 February 2011 as Uninterred, founded by Jens Rydén on vocals and guitar and bassist Kristoffer Olivius. The first full line-up included drummer Ulf Andersson from Nocturnal Rites and Morgan Hansson and Fredrik Degerström on guitars. With this line-up, Rydén concentrated on vocals. In March 1994, Degerström left Naglfar due to personal and musical differences. Soon after, Andersson left to focus on Nocturnal Rites. During this period, the band wrote and recorded the Stellae Trajectio demo at Garageland Studio. The demo was released in November 1994. Before the release, the band changed their name to Naglfar, after a ship in Norse mythology.Lee, Cosmo (2007) "Naglfar / Nagelfar ", Stylus Magazine, 7 May 2007, retrieved 4 February 2011

In early 1995, the band signed to Wrong Again Records. That summer, they released their debut album, Vittra, featuring drummer Mattias Holmgren. After recording, Holmgren left the band. Apart from contributing to an Iron Maiden tribute CD, the band was inactive for the next few years. Their second album, Diabolical, was released in 1998, with Mattias Grahn on drums. CMJ New Music Report described it as a "ferocious version of Swedish black/death metal...monumentally mind-blowing".Vendetti, Jackie (1998) "NAGLFAR Diabolical", CMJ New Music Report, 2 November 1998, p. 68, retrieved 4 February 2011 The band signed with Century Media in 2002. Following more line-up changes and a European tour with Deicide, Naglfar recorded the EP Ex Inferis, which drew comparisons to Dimmu Borgir,Sciaretto, Amy (2001) "Naglfar - Ex Inferis", CMJ New Music Report, 26 November 2001, p. 30, retrieved 4 February 2011 and the album Sheol. The New York Times described the band as "one of the most compelling metal bands" and also "one of the most ridiculous," with their music described as "terrific".Sanneh, Kelefa (2003) "Music: Playlist ", The New York Times, 20 July 2003, retrieved 4 February 2011 Rydén left the band after the album's release. Bassist Olivius took over lead vocals.Rivadavia, Eduardo "Pariah Review", Allmusic, retrieved 4 February 2011 Rydén recorded the 2006 album The Omega Rising under the name Profundi.Stosuy, Brandon (2006) "Show No Mercy ", Pitchfork Media, 8 December 2006, retrieved 4 February 2011

In 2005, the Pariah was released; AllMusic commented on its "shockingly profane lyrics". The album was followed by a tour with Dark Funeral across Europe, along with several festival dates. In December 2005, touring bassist Peter Morgan Lie became the band's permanent bass player.Rivadavia, Eduardo "Harvest Review ", AllMusic, retrieved 4 February 2011 For their 2007 album Harvest, Roger Johansson directed a video for the track "The Darkest Road".Harris, Chris & Wiederhorn, Jon (2007) "Metal File", MTV, 26 January 2007, retrieved 4 February 2011 The band toured the US in 2007.Gendron, Bob (2007) "The Week In Live Music", Chicago Tribune, 19 October 2007, p. 8

In August 2009, the band announced that they were about to begin recording a new album, without mentioning a release date. In December 2011, Naglfar launched their official Facebook page.Official Facebook page of Naglfar , retrieved 28 December 2011. On 22 December 2011, they announced the album Téras, released in March 2012.Century Media YouTube Channel , retrieved 28 December 2011. Dirk Verbeuren appears on the album as a session musician. In 2013, Naglfar performed at Wacken Open Air.

The band began writing their seventh album in February 2014. In 2020, the band confirmed that their album would be titled Cerecloth. The album was released on 8 May through Century Media.

Members

Current Kristoffer "Wrath" Olivius – bass (1992–2005), lead vocals (2005–present) Andreas Nilsson – guitars (1993–present) Marcus "Vargher" Norman – guitars, bass, keyboard (2000–present)

Former Ulf Andersson – drums, percussion (1992–1994) Fredrik Degerström – guitars (1993–1994) Mattias Holmgren – drums, percussion (1995) Morgan Hansson – guitar (1993–2000) Jens Rydén – lead vocals, keyboard (1992–2005), guitars (1992–1993) Mattias Grahn – drums, percussion (1997–2011) Morgan Lie – drums, percussion (1995–1997), bass (2005–2011)

Session/touring Dirk Verbeuren – session drums (2011–present) Alex 'Impaler' Friberg - live bass (2012-present) Efraim Juntunen - live drums (2012-present)

Timeline

Discography Studio albums Vittra (1995) – remastered edition (2002), Regain Diabolical (1998), Regain Sheol (2003), Century Media Pariah (2005), Century Media/EMI Harvest (2007), Century Media – limited edition with DVD (2011), Century Media/EMI Téras (2012), Century Media Cerecloth (2020), Century Media

Compilations Pariah + Harvest (2008), Century Media – box set

EPs When Autumn Storms Come (1998) Ex Inferis (2002), Century Media An Extension of His Arm and Will (2012), Century Media

Demos Stellae Trajectio (1994) We Are Naglfar – Fuck You! (1995) Maiden Slaughter (1996)

References

External links