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.
Part VI
Taake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Denne krypten av et skall
Sider som har utspilt
Sin rolle, står for fall
Søvnløs, hjemsøkt nordsjel
Drysser varige astralmen
Inn I natten dyster
Red en infernalsk en
Ingenmannsland, jeg er der
Kaster anker tungt av nag
Før min ankomst fulgte jeg
Instrukser skrevet med svarte fjær
Paa onsdag, Odins dag
The lyrics to Taake's song Part VI are deeply layered and open to interpretation. There are a lot of complex phrases and metaphorical language, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact meaning. However, a common interpretation is that the song is about the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a dark place, haunted by their own thoughts and memories. They acknowledge that everything must come to an end, including themselves, and that they are powerless to stop it. The use of Norse mythology and Odin's day suggest that the singer may be contemplating their mortality and their place in the world.
The opening line "Uro herjer umildt" can be translated as "unrest rages humbly". This could be interpreted as a reflection of the singer's inner turmoil. The reference to "Sider som har utspilt sin rolle, står for fall" (sides that have played their role, are about to fall) suggests that the singer is also reflecting on the transience and impermanence of life. The line "Drysser varige astralmen inn I natten dyster" (scattering lasting astral dust into the gloomy night) suggests a spiritual element, potentially hinting at the singer's belief in an afterlife.
Overall, the lyrics to Part VI are complex and multi-layered. They suggest a sense of existential contemplation and an acknowledgement of the inescapable nature of mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Uro herjer umildt
Unrest is raging wildly
Denne krypten av et skall
This crypt of a shell
Sider som har utspilt
Sides that have played out
Sin rolle, står for fall
Their role is now falling
Søvnløs, hjemsøkt nordsjel
Sleepless, haunted northern soul
Drysser varige astralmen
Scatters lasting astral dust
Inn I natten dyster
Into the gloomy night
Red en infernalsk en
Rode an infernal one
Røde remmer, regn med meg
Red straps, count on me
Ingenmannsland, jeg er der
No man's land, I am there
Kaster anker tungt av nag
Throwing anchor heavily laden with grudges
Før min ankomst fulgte jeg
Before my arrival, I followed
Instrukser skrevet med svarte fjær
Instructions written with black feathers
Paa onsdag, Odins dag
On Wednesday, Odin's day
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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