As is true for all musical genres, black metal has its share of clichés. Enter stage left: the devil himself, hailed by cacophonous guitar riffs, swathed in pompous keyboard orchestrations, a grotesque pandemonium of noise and blasphemous imagery, worshipped by hordes of black-clad youths trying their hardest to be different. The theatrical horror of many black metal bands is easy to ridicule, but behind these superficial impressions lies something deeply disturbing, a menacing presence perfectly evoked by Norway's Satyricon on their aptly titled last album VOLCANO. Never a band to reiterate the obvious, the Oslo-based two-piece of Frost (drums) and Satyr (vocals, all other instruments) has made a remarkable career out of shaping the true core of one of the most uncompromising and extreme genres in musical history. Their aim has always been to explore the musical logic behind the darkest emotions, to add a defined aural structure to the metaphysical darkness of human existence. The tools they use are far from extraordinary – great musicianship, an analytical mind that doesn't shy away from discarding the old stylistic formulas and the declared will to make each work they release special in its own way. The results stand out as landmarks of extreme metal music: the early works DARK MEDIEVAL TIMES (1993) and THE SHADOWTHRONE (1994) that helped create the myth of Norwegian black metal, the immensely successful NEMESIS DIVINA (1996), REBEL EXTRAVAGANZA (1999) and the unstoppable force of nature that is VOLCANO (2002).
Now one of the finest bands in black metal's history returns with an ambitious new album. And if they shout NOW, DIABOLICAL, they mean it! Inspired by the occult traditions of our cultural history, especially the strict symbolic systems devised by secret lodges and societies, Satyricon have created eight songs that radically break with many often-told truths about metal music. Basically the whole album is based on a set of strong musical themes. These form the core of every piece, and every single one elected to go on the album had to be able to carry a song on its shoulders. Everything else was built to relate to these themes, instead of the usual formula popular among metal musicians of putting together different riffs - until there's enough for a song. Each song on NOW, DIABOLICAL has a defined tempo and leaves a singular impression. In contrast to their previous works there's no elaborate narrative thread to the music, it comes straight to the point: direct, hard-hitting, without hesitation. NOW, DIABOLICAL is black metal in its purest form – just guitars, drums and bass with the occasional and very efficient appearance of horns that emphasize the dramatic force of the songs.
The remarkable thing about this album is that the artistic restrictions Satyricon set for themselves seem very similar to those that apply to generic rock music – a catchy hookline, clock set to a certain number of beats per minute... You get the picture. The result is surprising: Never so far has black metal shown such force. The framework the band worked in imposed a new precision and compactness to their music that immediately stimulates the dark emotional center of the brain: It wakes the beast inside, if you will, and as an antithesis to the Holy Grail of rock music this is truly diabolical. Produced by Satyr himself, NOW, DIABOLICAL was recorded in various studios throughout Norway and in the famous Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada. NOW, DIABOLICAL opens a new chapter not only in Satyricon's history, but in that of metal itself. A highly unusual album that should change the way black metal is perceived. Exit stage right: the devil in his carnevalesque attire, the next act is devoted to the grim darkness that lives within every human being, that doesn't listen to any name, but makes its presence felt through music like the one found on this masterpiece. Robert Müller (February 2006)
14/05/2009 - Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #5 We bring you today, the final part of the Satyr guitar lesson series. The final riff which you will learn is the head bangers favourite ... 06/05/2009 - Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #4 The second last lesson from Satyr in the series is 'Black Crow On A Tombstone'. The track is from their latest masterpiece 'The Age Of ... 29/04/2009 - Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #3 We've had 'Mother North' and 'KING' so far, and now it's time to get into the Satyricon classic 'Fuel For Hatred'. For those of you ... 23/04/2009 - Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #2 So how did you go learning the riff to Mother North? Hopefully well enough to move onto the next one which has cometh, and today ... 17/04/2009 - Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #1 While Satyr was in Melbourne, we came up with the idea of creating a short series of guitar lessons. The concept was to add to ... 10/03/2009 - Satyricon nearly here Satyricon touch down in Australia next Friday (20th March) after playing their show in New Zealand to begin their 4 date run of the country. ... 05/03/2009 - Don't miss out on Satyricon! Satyricon are nearly in our great land to tour for their new album The Age of Nero. The Norwegian metal band are playing the following ... 21/01/2009 - SATYRICON - New INSIDE OUT interview Cameron Edney interviewed Satyr recently where the two chatted about all things Satyricon! Check it out at the INSIDE OUT Webzine 16/12/2008 - Satyr's Top 5 cars For all you fans who loves Satyricon and/or cars, vocalist Satyr has recorded a video discussing his top 5 favourite cars of all time.Also if ... 11/12/2008 - Satyr from the coliseum! Check out the Satyricon tour update #3 below, as Satyr gives as his take on ancient Roman spirituality. 10/12/2008 - SATYRICON - Tour Update 2 Frost has recorded the second tour update as Satyricon make there way around Europe. Don't forget that the guys are coming Down Under in March!TOUR ... 27/11/2008 - SATYRICON announce Australian tour! Yes you heard right Satyr and Frost will be coming Down Under for 5 nights of black metal mayhem! The tour is on the back ... 25/11/2008 - Satyricon tour update Satyr has taken the time to sit down with his new friend Bruce and give us a run down on how Satyricon's European tour is ... 18/11/2008 - Have you ever wondererd whether Phil Anselmo loves Satyricon as much as you? Phil Anselmo sat down in the UK earlier this year to express his love for label-mates Satyricon, and the Roadrunner office just happened to have ... 13/11/2008 - SATYRICON - 'Black Crow On A Tombstone' Video Check out Satyricon's brand new video for 'Black Stone On A Tombstone'. The song comes from their latest release 'The Age of Nero' and the ... 12/11/2008 - SATYRICON - Track by Track Check out the video below of Satyr going through Satyricon's new album 'The Age of Nero' track by track.'The Age of Nero' is in stores ... 10/11/2008 - Wade Justice - Past, Present and Future This is Wade Justices favourite past, present and future albums on Roadrunner. If you're not sure why we have it on our site, then you ... 05/11/2008 - SATYRICON - Satyr takes us through 'The Age Of Nero' Satyricon's new album 'The Age of Nero', featuring 'Black Crow On A Tombstone', is in stores now. The Norway fellas have not only done it ... 03/11/2008 - The Age Of Nero is here Satyricon have released their latest collection of grooving black metal to the masses! Entitled 'The Age Of Nero' it features their latest single 'Black Stone ... 08/10/2008 - SATYRICON - Hear 'Black Crow On A Tombstone' Now! Wanna get a taste of some new Satyricon? Well look below you lucky bugger cuz thats what we have for you right here!Satyricon's new album ... 19/09/2008SATYR joins the ESP family Satyr of Satyricon has inked a deal ESP guitars. Click here to read what they had to say about Satyr. 29/04/2009Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #3 We've had 'Mother North' and 'KING' so far, and now it's time to get into the Satyricon classic 'Fuel For Hatred'. For those of you ... 17/04/2009Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #1 While Satyr was in Melbourne, we came up with the idea of creating a short series of guitar lessons. The concept was to add to ... 27/11/2008SATYRICON announce Australian tour! Yes you heard right Satyr and Frost will be coming Down Under for 5 nights of black metal mayhem! The tour is on the back ... 14/05/2009Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #5 We bring you today, the final part of the Satyr guitar lesson series. The final riff which you will learn is the head bangers favourite ... 10/12/2008SATYRICON - Tour Update 2 Frost has recorded the second tour update as Satyricon make there way around Europe. Don't forget that the guys are coming Down Under in March!TOUR ... 06/05/2009Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #4 The second last lesson from Satyr in the series is 'Black Crow On A Tombstone'. The track is from their latest masterpiece 'The Age Of ... 07/11/2007SATYRICON 4 Star Metal Forge Review Satyricon's new album 'Now, Diabolical' gets the 4 star treatment from the Metal Forge. The album debuted at the #2 position in their native Norway, ... 25/11/2008Satyricon tour update Satyr has taken the time to sit down with his new friend Bruce and give us a run down on how Satyricon's European tour is ... 12/11/2008SATYRICON - Track by Track Check out the video below of Satyr going through Satyricon's new album 'The Age of Nero' track by track.'The Age of Nero' is in stores ... 23/04/2009Satyricon - Guitar Lesson #2 So how did you go learning the riff to Mother North? Hopefully well enough to move onto the next one which has cometh, and today ... 07/11/2007SLIPKNOT's Joey and Satyricon Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison will join Norwegian black metal horde Satyricon on their forthcoming US tour slated for December. Satyricon's regular drummer, Frost, has experienced ... 21/01/2009SATYRICON - New INSIDE OUT interview Cameron Edney interviewed Satyr recently where the two chatted about all things Satyricon! Check it out at the INSIDE OUT Webzine 16/12/2008Satyr's Top 5 cars For all you fans who loves Satyricon and/or cars, vocalist Satyr has recorded a video discussing his top 5 favourite cars of all time.Also if ... 07/11/2007Metal Hammer's Golden Gods Awards Winners Check out the RR acts that won awards at Metal Hammer's Golden Gods Awards. Best Underground: Satyricon Best Video Winner: Within Temptation 'Angels' Best Metal ... 07/11/2007SATYRICON #2 Chart Debut Satyricon's new album 'Now, Diabolical' has debuted at the #2 position in their native Norway. This follows the #7 debut for lead single 'K.I.N.G'. 07/11/2007SATYRICON drummer Frost on direction Satyricon drummer Frost recently spoke to Blistering.com Blistering.com: Do you feel "Volcano" could have been a bigger hit in the U.S.? Frost: "As far as ... 07/11/2007Six minutes with SATYRICON's Frost Check out this video interview with Frost… shot before the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium. The band's sixth album 'Now, Diabolical' is in stores now! ... 07/11/2007Video interviews with ROADRUNNER Bands See below for a slew of online video interviews with RR bands. Among the acts featured: DRAGONFORCE THROWDOWN OPETH HATEBREED CRADLE OF FILTH DEVILDRIVER BLEEDING ... 07/11/2007SATYRICON 'Now, Diabolical' E Card Check out the new E Card from Satyricon's brand new album 'Now, Diabolical'. Features audio, the video for 'K.I.N.G', links and more! The Age Of Nero The Age Of Nero The Age Of Nero SE The Age Of Nero SE Black Crow On A Tombstone Black Crow On A Tombstone My Skin Is Cold My Skin Is Cold Now, Diabolical Now, Diabolical In Studio Photos Images of Satyricon recording 'The Age Of Nero' Signing Session in Milan
