Horde (band)
| Company type | Solo music project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Jayson Sherlock |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Music albums |
| Website | roweproductions |
Horde—initially known as Beheadoth—is a solo unblack metal endeavor led by Australian artist Jayson Sherlock, who previously played with Mortification and Paramaecium. The project's only studio album, Hellig Usvart, was issued in 1994 through Nuclear Blast Records. Horde appeared live with a session lineup during performances in 2006 (Norway) and again in 2010 (Finland and Germany).
The release of Hellig Usvart marked a foundational moment within the unblack metal (Christian black metal) movement and generated significant debate within the secular black metal community.
History
Sherlock produced Hellig Usvart—meaning "Holy Unblack"—under the alias "Anonymous," possibly referencing "Euronymous," the guitarist from Mayhem. The album was initially released by Nuclear Blast in 1994 and subsequently reissued by Rowe Productions. Due to its Norwegian title and raw sound quality, many listeners assumed Horde hailed from Norway.
Following its release, an underground promotional effort circulated within black metal circles, highlighting Sherlock’s anonymity. Markus Staiger, head of Nuclear Blast, received threats demanding the artist’s identity, which was eventually disclosed as Jayson Sherlock. Horde also encountered criticism for being a Christian act amid a largely secular black metal scene. The original pressing consisted of 4,000 copies; remaining stock was acquired by Rowe Productions in 1999 for worldwide distribution.
To commemorate the album’s tenth anniversary in 2004, Rowe Productions and Soundmass re-released Hellig Usvart including an additional track titled "Mine Heart Doth Beseech Thee (O Master)," originally featured on the 1994 compilation Godspeed: Australian Metal Compilation. Today, the album remains a rare collector’s item.
In April 2007, Veridon Music issued a live recording entitled The Day of Total Armageddon Holocaust – Alive in Oslo, capturing Horde’s 2006 Nordic Fest performance; a DVD followed this release. The Polish label Metal Mind Productions remastered Hellig Usvart in May 2008, adding three bonus tracks taken from the live album. For the twenty-fifth anniversary, Soundmass released vinyl and CD editions in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Live performances
Horde’s live debut occurred at Nordic Fest in Oslo on November 3, 2006. Jayson Sherlock handled drums and vocals, supported by three members of the Christian unblack metal band Drottnar, performing under pseudonyms Kvest, Bøddel, and Gestalt. The band’s second concert took place at Immortal Metal Fest in Finland on April 17, 2010, featuring the same lineup. Sherlock consented to this appearance as it marked the festival's tenth year. Additionally, Horde was booked to perform at Germany’s Blast of Eternity festival in November 2010.
Musical style
Hellig Usvart is recognized as a pioneering work within the unblack metal genre—sometimes called "Holy UnBlack Metal." Since its debut, influential groups such as A Hill to Die Upon, Antestor, and Crimson Moonlight, along with lesser-known acts like Dark Endless and Hortor, have risen within this Christian unblack metal niche. The album cleverly parodies satanic black metal themes by transforming traditional phrases into expressions of Christian faith, advocating rejection of Satan in favor of devotion to God. Its lyrics contain both explicit and implicit worshipful content.
Musically, Horde delivers dark and rapid unblack metal characterized by high-pitched shrieks or growling vocals. Songs like "Invert the Inverted Cross" utilize double bass drumming to heighten intensity. Keyboards are used sparingly but effectively on tracks such as "Release and Clothe the Virgin Sacrifice."
Band members
- Present lineup
- Jayson "Anonymous" Sherlock – drums, vocals (1994–present); guitars, bass, keyboards (1994)
- Touring musicians
- Simon "Pilgrim" Rosen – vocals (2006, 2010)
- Karl Fredrik "Kvest" Lind – guitars (2006, 2010, 2012)
- Bengt "Bøddel" Olsson – guitars (2006, 2010, 2012)
- Håvar "Gestalt" Wormdahl – bass (2006, 2010, 2012)
- Timeline
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bar:Pilgrim text:"Simon Rosen" bar:Bøddel text:"Bengt Olsson" bar:Kvest text:"Karl Lind" bar:Gestalt text:"Håvar Wormdahl" bar:Jayson text:"Jayson Sherlock"
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Discography
- Studio albums
- Hellig Usvart (1994)
- Live albums
- The Day of Total Armageddon Holocaust – Alive in Oslo (2007)
- Video albums
- The Day of Total Armageddon Holocaust – Alive in Oslo (2007)
External links
- The Australian black metal groups
- The unblack metal bands
- The musical groups formed in 1994
- The musical groups disbanded in 1994
- The musical groups reformed in 2007
- The musical groups disbanded in 2007
- The Christian extreme metal artists
- The one-man music projects
- Nuclear Blast recording artists
- The Australian Christian metal acts
- The Rowe Productions roster
- The establishments in Australia in 1994
- Musical groups disestablished in 1994