Nifelheim (SE)

About

Also known as: Nifelhelm

Formed in Västra Götaland in 1990 by twin brothers Erik and Per Gustavsson, better known as Tyrant and Hellbutcher, Nifelheim built their reputation on a fiercely old school approach to black metal. Their sound draws from the raw, early work of Venom and Bathory, as well as Brazilian thrash acts like Vulcano and Sarcófago, with the occasional Iron Maiden flavored arrangement thrown in for good measure. They even contributed a Vulcano cover and had a track on the Gummo soundtrack, which should tell you something about their cult appeal. Their discography runs from the 1993 demo Unholy Death through to albums like Devil's Force and Servants of Darkness, with notable guitar work from Jon Nödtveidt and John Zwetsloot of Dissection along the way. Lyrically it is pure Satanism and black metal orthodoxy, and the band have never been shy about their contempt for anything they consider a compromise of traditional metal values. They are famously reluctant to give interviews, partly by choice and partly after a 2008 controversy that put them firmly in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.