Taake

Taake (Norwegian: [ˈtòːkə]) is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1993 and originally named Thule. The band's one continuous member is Hoest, who writes and records most of the music. He has released seven full-length albums and several EPs. The band describes itself as "True Norwegian black metal", and Hoest said that he wants to "awaken national pride and cultural nostalgia in my Norwegian listeners" as well as to remind people "that Hell is right here on Earth and that humans can be demons".[1] All lyrics are in Hoest's native dialect and are printed in Norse runes.[2][3] "Taake" is the old spelling of the Norwegian word "tåke", meaning "fog".

Taake
Taake at Hellfest 2009
Background information
Also known asThule
OriginBergen, Norway
GenresBlack metal
Years active1993–present
LabelsWounded Love, Peaceville, Dark Essence, Svartekunst
MembersHoest

History

Early demos

In 1993, Ørjan Stedjeberg (then known as 'Ulvhedin'), formed the first version of the band Taake under the name Thule, together with drummer 'Svartulv'. Thule released two demos, Der vinterstormene raste in 1993 and Omfavnet av svarte vinger in 1994. Shortly after, the band changed its name to Taake and 'Ulvhedin' adopted the new pseudonym 'Hoest' (meaning "autumn" or "harvest"). In 1995, the released the demo Manndaudsvinter in 1995. This was followed in 1996 by a 7" EP called Koldbrann i jesu marg.

Album trilogy (1999–2005)
Taake at Throne Fest in Belgium, 2016

Between 1999 and 2005, Taake released three full-length albums. They are a trilogy of concept albums linked by the topics of "death, Norway, and the devil in man".[4]

The first full-length album, Nattestid ser porten vid, was released by Wounded Love Records in 1999. The album was written entirely by Hoest, but he brought in a session musician, 'Tundra', to perform bass guitar and drums. It was recorded throughout 1997 and 1998 at the Grieg Hall.

The second installment of the trilogy, Over bjoergvin graater himmerik, was released in 2002 by Wounded Love Records. On this record, Hoest surrounded himself with a band: second guitarist 'C. Corax', bassist and pianist 'Keridwen', and drummer 'Mutt' (Gaahlskagg, Trelldom, Sigfader).

The final installment of the trilogy, Hordalands doedskvad, was released in 2005 by Dark Essence Records. It features second guitarist 'C. Corax', bassist 'Lava' and drummer 'Mord'. It also features several guest vocalists, including 'Nattefrost' (Carpathian Forest), 'Nordavind' (Carpathian Forest) and 'Taipan' (Orcustus).

Brief hiatus and regrouping (2005–present)

Over the following three years, Taake released four short EPs and played a few festivals (most notably the Hole in the Sky Festival in Norway, with Ivar Bjørnson of Enslaved on guitar), but according to Hoest, Taake was "on ice for a while".[1]

Before the 2006–2007 European tour, Taake revamped their official homepage. Following the infamous March 2007 show in Essen, the band were removed from several festivals and received much backlash. At the same time, Lava, who had been bass guitarist since 2002, left the band.

In 2008, a fourth album was released, recorded entirely by Hoest and simply named Taake. The album was recorded for Hoest's own label Svartekunst Produksjoner, and was distributed via Dark Essence Records.

In 2011, Taake released the EP Kveld, featuring both new and re-recorded songs. This was followed shortly after by Taake's fifth full-length album, Noregs vaapen. Hoest collaborated with many prominent Norwegian black-metallers for this record including Attila Csihar, Nocturno Culto, Demonaz and Ivar Bjørnson. It was again released on his own label Svartekunst Produksjoner to much critical acclaim.[5][6] The album was nominated for the prestigious Spellemann award in Norway for top metal release. This nomination was met with some derision due to anti-Islamic lyrics.[7]

To mark the band's 20th anniversary, Taake released the compilation album Gravkamre, kroner og troner in 2013.

Taake played their first show in the United States in May 2014 at Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore.

In 2014, Taake released the sixth full-length album Stridens hus[8] and the EP Kulde through Dark Essence Records. In support of this record and as a follow up to their successful show in Maryland, Taake announced an East Coast US tour for the first time in their history, to begin in June 2015.[9]

In 2017, Taake released their seventh studio album, Kong Vinter, along with the EP Baktanker.[10]

Taake were forced to cancel their planned 2018 US tour after Antifa activists campaigned to stop it, due to the past controversies.[11][12]

Controversies
Hoest at Hellfest 2009

Hoest served prison sentences for assault in 2006 and 2007.[13][14]

In March 2007, during a concert at Essen in Germany, Hoest appeared on stage in corpse paint with a swastika painted on his chest, above an inverted cross.[15][16] In Germany, the use of the swastika is forbidden by law, and the remainder of Taake's German concerts were cancelled. Shortly after, Hoest stated:

Taake is not a political Nazi band [...] everyone should know by now that our whole concept is built upon provocation and anything evil [...] we truly apologize to all of our collaborators who might get problems because of the Essen swastika scandal (except for the untermensch owner of that club; you can go suck a Muslim!)[17]

Hoest later explained that he "was taking the piss" and had used the swastika only "as another symbol for evil", saying "the pentagram and inverted cross don't invoke reactions anymore".[18] Music writer Stuart Wain likened Hoest's actions to those of the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie Sioux, who also wore swastikas for shock value.[19] In January 2008, Hoest wrote:

I do realize that it is rather unforgivable to display a swastika in Germany, yes. On the other hand I strongly feel that Black Metal bands should allow themselves to use any kind of destructive/negative symbolism, as the basis of this expression is above all: Evil! Black Metal is still not, and should never become, harmless like all other styles of housebroke metal. Frankly, I find it preposterous that we get away with lyrics about murder, torture, rape, necrophilia and suicide, but get boycotted for wearing a symbol (which, by the way, has nothing to do with the band’s concept) on one single occasion. A part of our mission is to invoke negative feelings, so I found it quite appropriate to remind our German audience of their biggest shame.[20]

Taake's nomination for the 2012 Spellemann award was criticized, due to anti-Islamic lyrics in their song "Orkan". It includes the line "Til Helvete med Muhammed og Muhammedanerne; utilgivelige skikker" ("To hell with Muhammad and the Muhammadans; unforgivable customs"). Hoest replied that "we do not encourage either violence or racism," adding "our view, in the name of freedom of expression, is that it is shameful to adhere to Christianity or Islam. Incidentally, Christianity is mentioned in the same lyrics, but that doesn't seem to have been given any emphasis".[21]

Taake were forced to cancel their planned 2018 US tour after Antifa activists campaigned to stop it, due to the past controversies. Many venues cancelled the shows after being contacted and threatened[22] by Antifa groups, and support act King Dude pulled out.[23] Musician and activist Talib Kweli also cancelled a show at a venue where Taake was slated to perform, calling the venue "sympathetic to white nationalism".[24] Hoest replied that "Taake is not a racist band. Never has been, never will be".[25] He said the incident showed how "a small minority of left wing agitators are able to force their agenda on the majority" through "lies, misinformation" and "threats of violence".[26]

Discography
Year Title Type
1999Nattestid Ser Porten Vid
(night-time sees the gate wide)		studio album
2002Over Bjoergvin graater himmerik
(Heaven weeps over Bergen)		studio album
2005Hordalands doedskvad
(Hordaland's death poem)		studio album
2007NekroEP
2008Svartekunst
(dark arts)		live EP
2008Taakestudio album
2011Kveld
(evening)		EP
2011Noregs vaapen
(Norway's weapon)		studio album
2014Kulde
(cold)		EP
2014Stridens hus
(house of strife)		studio album
2017Baktanker
(ulterior motives)		EP
2017Kong Vinter
(king winter)		studio album
Demos
  • Der vinterstormene raste (where the winter storms raged) (1993) – released as Thule
  • Omfavnet av svarte vinger (embraced by black wings) (1994) – released as Thule
  • Manndaudsvinter (dead man's winter) (1995)
  • Koldbrann i jesu marg (gangrene in Jesus' core) (1996)
Compilation albums
  • Helnorsk svartmetall (2005) – compilation of early demos
  • The Box (2005) – compilation containing Nattestid ser porten vid, Over bjoergvin graater himmerik and Helnorsk svartmetall
  • Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner (2013) – compilation with alternative versions of songs, demos and previously unreleased material
  • 7 Fjell (2017) – compilation containing the first 7 full length albums.
Split releases
  • Sadistic Attack / Nordens doedsengel (2004) – split EP with Amok
  • A Norwegian Hail to Von (2006) – split with Norwegian Evil, Amok and Urgehal
  • Men of Eight / Lagnonector (2006) – split single with Vidsyn
  • Dra Til Helvete! (2006) – split EP with Gigantomachy
  • Swine of Hades (2011) – split EP with Sigh, The Meads of Asphodel, Thus Defiled and Evo/Algy
  • Pakt (2020) – split EP with Whoredom Rife
  • Jaertegn (2020) – split EP with Deathcult

Personnel

Current members
  • Hoest – composer, all instruments, vocals (1993–present)

Live members
  • V`gandr – bass (2007–present)
  • Aindiachaí – guitar (2007–present)
  • Gjermund – guitar (2007–present)
  • Rune – drums (2019–present)

Past members
  • Svartulv – drums (1993–1996), vocals (2004, 2005)
  • Dim (aka O.D.Smau) – vocals (1995)
  • C. Corax – guitars (2004–2006)
  • Keridwen – bass, piano (2000–2003; died 2015)
  • Mord – drums (2002–2006)
  • Lava – bass (2002–2007)

Guest musicians/past live members
  • Thurzur – drums
  • Skagg - guitar
  • C. Corax – guitar
  • Taipan – vocals
  • Nattefrost – vocals
  • Nordavind – vocals
  • Discomforter – vocals
  • Utflod – piano
  • Støver – "whispers"
  • John Boyle - war cry
  • Ivar Bjørnson - guitar
  • Nocturno Culto - vocals
  • Attila Csihar - vocals
  • Demonaz Doom Occulta - vocals
  • Skagg - vocals
  • Bjørnar E. Nilsen - vocals, mellotron
  • Gjermund - guitar solos, banjo, mandolin
  • Niklas Kvarforth - vocals
  • Ciekals - additional guitar

References
  1. Taake interview, March 2009. Lords of Metal e-zine.
  2. Morris, Christopher (2013). The New Romantics: Norwegian Black Metal and National Identity. p.10
  3. Thompson, Christopher (2012). Sons of Northern Darkness: Reflections of National Identity in Norway through Black Metal. p.63
  4. Taake interview, April 2005. Metal Reviews.
  5. Review: Taake - Noregs Vaapen. Invisible Oranges. 1 December 2011.
  6. You need to listen to Taake's Noregs Vaapen. MetalSucks. 3 November 2011.
  7. 'Anti-Islamic' band nominated for Norway's top music prize. The Guardian. 13 January 2012.
  8. Album review: Taake - Stridens Hus. Metal Injection. 4 February 2015.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2015-04-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "TAAKE – 'Kong Vinter' Album Review & Stream". Riff Relevant. November 25, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2019.}
  11. "Taake Deny Charges of Nazism After Canceled North American Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  12. "Controversial Metal Band Taake Cancels Most of North American Tour". billboard.com. February 27, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  13. "Taake Frontman, Guitarist Doing Time in Norwegian Prison". Blabbermouth.net. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  14. "Taake Frontman Is Once Again A Free Man". Blabbermouth.net. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  15. "Taake Frontman In Swastika Scandal". Blabbermouth.net. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  16. "hoest_swastika.jpg". lager.autisma.net. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  17. Lagnonector Hoest: "STATEMENT FROM HOEST", 23 March 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  18. "Taake Frontman: 'We Are Definitely NOT Nazis'". Blabbermouth.net. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  19. "Black metal, Politics and Provocation". Broken Amp. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  20. Hoest: "TAAKE vs KREATOR", 21 January 2008. Retrieved 22 December, 2013.
  21. "Anti-Islam Lyrics No Barrier to Norway Music Prize". The Local. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  22. "More venues cancel Taake, Antifa group publicly threatens band and fans". Metal Insider. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  23. "Taake's war with 'Antifa': Black metal band's tour is in jeopardy as more venues cancel following Nazi controversy". Newsweek. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  24. Kweli: "Rapper cancels KC concert because venue booked band alleged to be Nazi sympathizers". The Kansas City Star. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  25. "Taake Show Cancelled Amid AntiFa Protests, Band Vehemently Deny Nazi Accusations". Metal Injection. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  26. "Taake, Metal Band Accused of Racism by Talib Kweli and Others, Cancel Tour, Issue Defiant Statement". Pitchfork. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
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