Taake is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1993 and origi… Read Full Bio ↴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 six 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".

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.

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).

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[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.

I
Taake Lyrics

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Den syvende tind er besteget
Den syvende port
Staar aapen i all sin prakt
Voktet og iakttatt
Av tiurens aarvaakne blikk
For veien er gullbelagt
Trollkatt ei sol har skapt
Jager vaaren

Oede vinters maaneskodd
Kjoelner sitt laken saa doedt
Dagen er kvalt
Natten er vaares igjen
Og vanaere lurer
Bak hvert kaldt tre
Under de hatske fjells
Snoekronede tinder
Gudfryktige de var
Naa Skammens lik
Over bjoergvin graater himmerik
Tro og frender
Til kirkegaard baeres
Vond tid venter naer

Paa dem som stirret seg blind
For aa se Gud

Overall Meaning

Taake's song "I" is a dark and brooding composition that speaks of a treacherous climb up mountainous terrain to reach the seventh peak. The seventh gate stands open in all of its glory, with the watchful eyes of an eagle keeping vigil. The path forward is paved with gold, but has not been created by the sun as Trollkatt's icy breath is still felt in the air. This means that spring is being chased away by the bitter cold winter moon. The day is smothered, and the night has once again claimed dominion over the land. The wights lurk behind every cold tree, and under each mountain peak's contemptuous crown.

Line by Line Meaning

Den syvende tind er besteget
I have conquered the seventh peak

Den syvende port
Now I stand before the seventh gate

Staar aapen i all sin prakt
It is wide open and in all its glory

Voktet og iakttatt
Guarded and watched over

Av tiurens aarvaakne blikk
By the vigilant gaze of the mountain grouse

For veien er gullbelagt
For the path is paved with gold

Trollkatt ei sol har skapt
No sun has ever created a witch-cat

Jager vaaren
Drives away the spring

Oede vinters maaneskodd
Desolate winter moon's fog

Kjoelner sitt laken saa doedt
Makes its shroud so deathly cold

Dagen er kvalt
The day is choked