Taake

Taake () 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". All lyrics are in Hoest's native dialect and are printed in Norse runes. ""Taake" is the old spelling of the Norwegian word "tåke"", meaning "fog".
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).
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".
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".
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. 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.
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" 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.
In 2017, Taake released their seventh studio album, "Kong Vinter", along with the EP "Baktanker".
Taake were forced to cancel their planned 2018 US tour after Antifa activists campaigned to stop it, due to the past controversies.
Controversies.
Hoest served prison sentences for assault in 2006 and 2007.
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. 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!)
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". Music writer Stuart Wain likened Hoest's actions to those of the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie Sioux, who also wore swastikas for shock value. 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.
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".
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 by Antifa groups, and support act King Dude pulled out. 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". Hoest replied that "Taake is not a racist band. Never has been, never will be". 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".