  
Transcending Visions presents: TAAKE, a Norwegian Black Metal,Band, for the first time in Romania, with a Exclusive Show with ANOMALIE a Austrian Atmospheric Black Metal
Anomalie will play their first ever show in Romania on the 14th of January 2023 in Quantic club, Bucharest, when they will share the stage with the legendary Taake
Nature-inspired themes and symbols are present throughout the entire work of the members of Anomalie: from the stunning Visions album cover to the artwork of the debut album Between the Light, or the chant from the latest track from Tranceformation, Eternal Burden. The concept of the folly of man vs mother-nature form the above-mentioned track Eternal Burden really created a great deal of emotional response from the fans.
Chris Marrok, from Anomalie, in an interview about the upcoming event in Bucharest, says that It never really felt like he was consciously choosing the lyrical content of Anomalie. Each album displays his artistic self at a certain timeframe in which the music has been written. As an example, a lot of the changes that happened in his personal life around 2015 and his directly-connected growth of spiritual awareness, as well as his development away from spending too much time in a big city is definitely visible and audible on the records that followed this intense period of his life. While He usually simply tries to reflect and put in words what He feels, what moves him emotionally and what He observes around him. The album Visions, though, was directly inspired by a specific place high up in the Austrian mountains where He spent a lot of time back then and He even wrote parts of the music at the cottage over there.
Chriss has a special connection to Romania since his childhood days and He always had a very unique feeling whenever He had the pleasure to play in our country with several other bands He is currently or have played with in the past. But to finally enter the stage to perform his very own songs in here asks for some kind of additional effort and the band definitely won’t play a show like all the others. The set will be longer and they are all working on some little details that will only happen at this particular gig.
Taake (Norwegian: [ˈtôːkə]) is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1993 and originally named Thule. The band's one continuous member is Hoest, who writes all and records most of the music. He has released seven full-length albums and several EPs. The band describes itself as "True Norwegian black metal", and Hoest said that he wants to "awaken national pride and cultural nostalgia in his Norwegian listeners" as well as to remind people "that Hell is right here on Earth and that humans can be demons". All lyrics are in Hoest's native dialect and are printed in Norse runes. Taake is the old spelling of the Norwegian word tåke, meaning "fog".
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, they released the demo Manndaudsvinter in 1995. This was followed in 1996 by a 7" EP called Koldbrann i jesu marg.
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, they 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".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).
Brief hiatus and regrouping (2005–present)
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.
In 2017, Taake released their seventh studio album, Kong Vinter, along with the EP Baktanker.
Taake were forced to cancel their planned 2018 US tour after Antifa activists campaigned to stop it, due to the past controversies
In March 2007, during a concert at Essen in Germany, Hoest appeared on stage in corpse paint with a swastika painted on his chest, above an inverted cross. In Germany, the use of the swastika is forbidden by law, and the remainder of Taake's German concerts were cancelled. Shortly after, Hoest stated:
"Taake is not a political Nazi band [...] everyone should know by now that our whole concept is built upon provocation and anything evil [...] we truly apologize to all of our collaborators who might get problems because of the Essen swastika scandal (except for the untermensch owner of that club; you can go suck a Muslim!)"
Hoest later explained that he "was taking the piss" and had used the swastika only "as another symbol for evil", saying "the pentagram and inverted cross don't invoke reactions anymore". Music writer Stuart Wain likened Hoest's actions to those of the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie Sioux, who also wore swastikas for shock value. In January 2008, Hoest wrote:
"I do realize that it is rather unforgivable to display a swastika in Germany, yes. On the other hand I strongly feel that Black Metal bands should allow themselves to use any kind of destructive/negative symbolism, as the basis of this expression is above all: Evil! Black Metal is still not, and should never become, harmless like all other styles of housebroke metal. Frankly, I find it preposterous that we get away with lyrics about murder, torture, rape, necrophilia and suicide, but get boycotted for wearing a symbol (which, by the way, has nothing to do with the band’s concept) on one single occasion. A part of our mission is to invoke negative feelings, so I found it quite appropriate to remind our German audience of their biggest shame."
Taake's nomination for the 2012 Spellemann award was criticized, due to anti-Islamic lyrics in their song "Orkan". It includes the line "Til Helvete med Muhammed og Muhammedanerne; utilgivelige skikker" ("To hell with Muhammad and the Muhammadans; unforgivable customs"). Hoest replied that "we do not encourage either violence or racism," adding "our view, in the name of freedom of expression, is that it is shameful to adhere to Christianity or Islam. Incidentally, Christianity is mentioned in the same lyrics, but that doesn't seem to have been given any emphasis.
What we can say about this Saturday Show, is that it is not going to be a easy one, since the history of both bands is full of symbols, connecting the earth, the sky and the darkside of the mind, attacking themes that are both historical and mithical with nature inspired deities, and also political and religious ones. Quantic Club is well known as an exquisite host for exceptional musical events amongst the fans of the rock metal scene from Romania, and not only. |
