A 2023 official release of the cult classic primitive Norwegian black metal recorded in 1992, featuring Dimmu Borgir’s Shagrath. 

 

The sole release by Fimbulwinter, this limited gold colour pressing in gatefold includes the original iconic early 1990s cover image, and also contains a 12” booklet featuring rare and unseen photographs, plus two double-sided posters.

 

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Fimbulwinter, though short-lived, created a sole cult release in the form of 1994’s ‘Servants of Sorcery’, which emerged as the “second wave” of Norwegian black metal was truly taking hold. The band was formed in Oslo 1992, led by the notable figure of Shagrath, becoming most known afterwards as mainman for the phenomenon that was Dimmu Borgir. A more raw affair than the symphonic majesty of Dimmu Borgir, Fimbulwinter demonstrated a primal and fierce black metal attack, and concocted a perfect example of the early-90s style, with an extra injection of praise to bands of the 80s.

 

Even though ‘Servants of Sorcery’ as a release didn’t see the light of day until 1994, the tracks themselves were recorded back in the winter of 1992, and so stand as an essential and influential early example of what was to form a whole new chapter in metal history. Joining Shagrath was Skoll (Ved Buens Ende, Ulver, Arcturus) on bass, with the line-up completed by Necronos & Orbweaver.