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.
V
Taake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Langt paa veg fra menneskekveg
Tankene vandrer tilbake
Den gang frosten krevde meg
I vestavind & hoestregn
Da Nordbo inn i soelvborg steg
Vaakenetter graastemt
Bak midnattstimens grind
Sydd til sjelen min
Sol som knarrens oeye
Ildebrann på mitt sinn
Formoerket av grantraer
Som fra likjord taust har steget
Ved en gammel rolig innsjoe
Et sted ei gjestet meget
Jeg ser kun maanens ansikt
Arrete, som mitt eget
The lyrics to Taake's song V evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a place far away from the chaos of the world. The opening line "Dypt i hjertet av Norge" (Deep in the heart of Norway) sets the stage for the listener to imagine a remote and peaceful location. The second line, "Langt paa veg fra menneskekveg" (Far from the beaten path), further reinforces this idea of being removed from the hustle and bustle of society.
The lyrics then take a turn towards the past, as the singer reminisces about a time when they were challenged by the harshness of nature, specifically "frosten" (frost) which "krevde" (demanded) something from them. The mention of "vestavind & hoestregn" (west wind and autumn rain) adds to the imagery of nature's power and unpredictability.
The third stanza describes a specific moment in time when the singer encountered a "Nordbo" (a person from the North), who entered a "soelvborg" (silver castle). This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but the sense of mysticism and mythology associated with these words suggests that the encounter was magical or otherworldly.
The following stanzas continue to describe the singer's experiences in this remote location, with "vaakenetter" (wakeful nights) and "ringeakt & symmetri" (disdain and symmetry) creating a sense of tension and unease. The final two lines, "Jeg ser kun maanens ansikt / Arrete, som mitt eget" (I see only the face of the moon / Scarred, like my own) suggest that the singer has been changed by their experiences in this place, and that they carry the weight of these memories with them always.
Overall, the lyrics to Taake's song V paint a vivid picture of a person who has been profoundly affected by a remote and mysterious place, and who carries the memories of that place with them always.
Line by Line Meaning
Dypt i hjertet av Norge
Deep in the heart of Norway
Langt paa veg fra menneskekveg
Far away from the crowds of people
Tankene vandrer tilbake
My thoughts wander back
Den gang frosten krevde meg
To the time when frost claimed me
I vestavind & hoestregn
In west wind and autumn rain
Da Nordbo inn i soelvborg steg
When Nordbo stepped into Silver Palace
Vaakenetter graastemt
Sleepless nights filled with gray mood
Bak midnattstimens grind
Behind the midnight hour's gate
I ringeakt & symmetri
In scorn and symmetry
Sydd til sjelen min
Sewn into my soul
Sol som knarrens oeye
The sun like the eye of the door latch
Ildebrann på mitt sinn
A raging fire in my mind
Formoerket av grantraer
Surrounded by pine trees
Som fra likjord taust har steget
That have risen from the soil of the dead
Ved en gammel rolig innsjoe
By an old, calm lake
Et sted ei gjestet meget
A place rarely visited
Jeg ser kun maanens ansikt
I only see the moon's face
Arrete, som mitt eget
Rough, like my own
Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.