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.
Myr
Taake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vжsken av rеtnende frukter
Ekko av den lukten
Blott et hensvunnet minne
Gravlagt I mitt fargelшse indre
Jeg er mange udyr
Himmelen ligger begravet her
Intet ly fra regnet
Stеr stoisk og ser pе at havet stiger
Et levende helvete
Til dшden innhenter og befrir
Pris djevelen vжre lovet
Han forfшrer deres dшtre
The lyrics to Taake's song Myr depict a protagonist as a thief sneaking through the heather, with the air heavy with the stench of rotting fruit. There is an echo of this odor that is a remnant of memories long gone which are buried deep within the singer's lifeless interior. The singer later reveals that he is many beasts, and the sky lies buried in his psyche. The singer observes stoically as the rain pours down, and he is fully aware of the rising tide. The listener is then introduced to a living hell that the singer must endure until death comes for him and sets him free. The singer then praises the devil, who seduces their daughters.
Line by Line Meaning
Som en tyv I lyngen kommer smitten snikende
The contagion creeps like a thief in the bushes
Vжsken av rеtnende frukter
The liquid of rotting fruits
Ekko av den lukten
Echo of that smell
Blott et hensvunnet minne
Only a faded memory
Gravlagt I mitt fargelшse indre
Buried in my colorless interior
Jeg er mange udyr
I am many beasts
Himmelen ligger begravet her
The heavens are buried here
Nedover
Downwards
Intet ly fra regnet
No shelter from the rain
Stеr stoisk og ser pе at havet stiger
Standing stoically watching the rising sea
Et levende helvete
A living hell
Til dшden innhenter og befrir
Until death catches up and frees
Pris djevelen vжre lovet
Hail the devil be praised
Han forfшrer deres dшtre
He seduces their daughters
Contributed by Liliana B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.