2CD & digital album out on 18th February; LP +7” out 13th May. Pre-order now.

Before Arcturus there was Mortem. Originally comprised of members now known from such classic bands as Arcturus, Mayhem & Thorns, Mortem was a leading act of the early Norwegian underground metal scene; their ‘Slow Death’ demo a highly inspirational work of early Norwegian extreme metal.
Formed by Marius Vold & Steinar Sverd Johnsen in 1989, Mortem was one of the first black metal bands to crawl out of the woodwork in Norway, releasing the highly coveted and brutal ‘Slow Death’ demo, with Euronymous & Dead of Mayhem acting as producer and cover artist respectively. After the release of ‘Slow Death’, the band was laid to rest with members going on to form and feature in acclaimed titans such as Arcturus and Thorns, both of which would become mainstays in the black metal scene and beyond.
This special release of ‘Slow Death’ contains the tracks newly recorded and reworked in a style more akin to the recent ‘Ravnsvart’ album material, plus also includes the legendary pioneering 1989 demo itself, with a fresh transfer from a new tape source. The new recordings also include a rendition of the old Mortem track ‘Satanas’, plus a cover of ‘Likferd’ (Funeral Fog) by Mayhem, this time sung in Norwegian. Joining the original line-up of Marius, Steinar & Hellhammer is Tor Seidemann of 1349 on bass guitar.

2CD & digital album out on 18th February

DISC 1

1. Mutilated Corpse [03:36]
2. Milena [02:33]
3. Slow Death [03:42]
4. Agonized To Suicide [03:37]
5. Nightmare [04:06]
6. Satanas [05:53]
7. Likferd [05:48]

DISC 2

1. Intro (Demo 1989) [01:28]
2. Mutilated Corpse (Demo 1989) [03:33]
3. Milena (Demo 1989) [02:06]
4. Slow Death (Demo 1989) [02:07]
5. Agonized To Suicide (Demo 1989) [02:25]
6. Nightmare (Demo 1989) [02:17]

LP +7” out 13th May

DISC 1

• A.1. Mutilated Corpse [03:36]
• A.2. Milena [02:33]
• A.3. Slow Death [03:42]
• A.4. Agonized To Suicide [03:37]
• B.1. Nightmare [04:06]
• B.2. Satanas [05:53]
• B.3. Likferd [05:48]

DISC 2

• C.1. Intro (Demo 1989) [01:28]
• C.2. Mutilated Corpse (Demo 1989) [03:33]
• C.3. Milena (Demo 1989) [02:06]
• D.1. Slow Death (Demo 1989) [02:07]
• D.2. Agonized To Suicide (Demo 1989) [02:25]
• D.3. Nightmare (Demo 1989) [02:17]

Before Arcturus there was Mortem.

Bringing together members of Arcturus, Mayhem, Thorns, & 1349 for a masterwork of eerie black metal, Peaceville proudly presents the long-awaited debut studio album from the newly reformed Norwegian legends, Ravnsvart.

When one looks back at the bloodstained history of black metal, the names are as familiar as those of old friends – Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone. But in the shadows lurked another prime purveyor of northern darkness.  Formed by Marius Vold & Steinar Sverd Johnsen in 1989, Mortem was one of the first black metal bands to crawl out of the woodwork in Norway, releasing the highly coveted and brutal Slow Death demo, with Euronymous & Dead of Mayhem acting as producer and cover artist respectively. After the release of Slow Death, the band was laid to rest with members going on to form and feature in acclaimed titans such as Arcturus and Thorns, both of which would become mainstays in the black metal scene and beyond.

In a moment of nostalgia & a desire for something more brutal beyond the current vessel of Arcturus, the corpse of Mortem was revived, & the unholy duo of Marius & Steinar joined forces once more.  And so the long-awaited album, titled Ravnsvart, possesses the same raw brutality & spirit as the original incarnation, plus fresh elements all uniquely woven into the fabric of the early sounds of Scandinavian black metal, & crafted into a masterpiece of sinister horror. Joining the duo is Hellhammer from the legendary Mayhem on drums, plus Tor Stavenes of 1349/Svart Lotus on bass.