Tsjuder
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Oslo , Norway |
| Products | Black metal music, albums |
| Website | www |
Tsjuder is a black metal group originating from Oslo, Norway, established in 1993. For the majority of its existence, the band functioned mainly as a trio featuring bassist and vocalist Nag, guitarist Draugluin, and drummer Anti-Christian. After Anti-Christian's exit, Tsjuder continued as a duo with Nag and Draugluin remaining as the principal members.
Name
The band's name, Tsjuder, is taken from the Norwegian movie Pathfinder (Veiviseren), referring to a legendary Northern Finnic tribe depicted as hostile figures emerging from the harsh arctic winter darkness.
History
Tsjuder was formed in 1993 by Nag alongside guitarist Berserk, with Draugluin joining the following year. Their initial demo, Ved Ferdens Ende, was recorded soon after. When Berserk left, drummer Torvus joined for their second demo titled Possessed in 1996. In 1997, Desecrator replaced Torvus on drums while American guitarist Diabolus Mort became part of the lineup; this formation produced the Throne of the Goat EP released via Solistitium Records. Both members departed in 1998 due to waning interest.
Subsequently, Tsjuder intended to produce their first full-length album with Blod (from Gehenna) on drums and Arak Draconiiz (Isvind) on guitar. They released the promotional recording Atum Nocturnem, which garnered attention from independent labels and led to its release by At War Records in 1999. That same year, they secured a two-album contract with Drakkar Productions and recorded their debut album Kill for Satan. Because Blod was unavailable for touring owing to scheduling conflicts, Christian "Anti-Christian" Svendsen was recruited as drummer.
Following Kill for Satan, Arak Draconiiz moved away and was replaced by Pål. In 2001, Svendsen left due to tendinitis while Pål also exited because of work obligations. Jontho from Ragnarok took over drumming duties. This ensemble recorded their sophomore album Demonic Possession in 2002 under Drakkar Productions. Additionally, Mester Productions reissued a limited picture disc edition of Throne of the Goat that year.
Svendsen returned in 2003 to replace Jontho. The band then signed with the French label Season of Mist in 2004 and released their third studio album Desert Northern Hell that November. Early in 2005, Tsjuder toured Europe alongside Carpathian Forest.
After disbanding in 2006, Tsjuder reunited for a performance at Wacken Open Air in August 2011 and resumed live appearances. Their later albums include Legion Helvete (2011), Antiliv (2015), and the sixth studio release Helvegr, which came out in June 2023.
Musical style and lyrical themes
The core songwriting team of Nag and Draugluin crafts Tsjuder's music, heavily influenced by black metal pioneers from the early '80s and '90s such as Bathory, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Immortal, Marduk, and Mayhem. They also draw inspiration from seminal thrash and death metal groups including Destruction, Kreator, Possessed, Sepultura, Slayer, and Sodom.
Their lyrics explore motifs like darkness, mortality, malevolence, hatred, demonic entities, anti-religious views, Satanism, horror cinema, and the fictional tome Necronomicon, which is a significant influence on frontman Nag. The lyrical content is typically developed prior to composing the music to ensure thematic cohesion.
Band members
- Current lineup
- Nag (Jan-Erik Romøren) – lead vocals, bass guitar (1993–2006, 2010–present)
- Draugluin (Halvor Storrøsten) – guitar, backing vocals (1994–2006, 2010–present)
- Emil Wiksten – drums (2024–present)
- Past members
- Berserk – guitar (1993–1995)
- Torvus – drums (1995–1996)
- Desecrator – drums (1997–1998)
- Diabolus Mort – guitar (1997–1998)
- Blod – drums (1998–1999; deceased 2018)
- Arak Draconiiz – guitar (1999–2000)
- Pål – guitar (2000–2001)
- Jontho – drums (2001–2003)
- Anti-Christian (Christian Svendsen) – drums (1999–2001, 2003–2006, 2010–2020)
- Jon Rice – drums (2020–2024)
Discography
Studio albums
- Kill for Satan (2000)
- Demonic Possession (2002)
- Desert Northern Hell (2004)
- Legion Helvete (2011)
- Antiliv (2015)
- Helvegr (2023)
Live albums
- Norwegian Apocalypse (2006)