Rune Eriksen, Norwegian guitarist and composer
Rune Eriksen, born on 13 January 1975, stands as a highly acclaimed Norwegian musician and composer, recognized for his profound contributions to extreme metal and beyond. A testament to his significant impact on the music scene, Eriksen is a proud recipient of the prestigious Spellemannprisen, often hailed as the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy Awards, underscoring his excellence and innovation in the national music landscape.
While his career spans diverse projects, Rune Eriksen is perhaps most widely recognized by his former stage name, Blasphemer, a moniker adopted from a track by the iconic German thrash metal band Sodom, specifically from their influential 1984 EP, In the Sign of Evil. Under this name, Eriksen served as the lead guitarist for the pioneering Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. He officially joined the seminal group in October 1994, a pivotal period following the turbulent early years of the Norwegian black metal scene. His tenure with Mayhem, which lasted until his departure in late 2008, saw the band evolve their sound, contributing to significant albums such as Grand Declaration of War (2000), Chimera (2004), and the critically acclaimed Ordo Ad Chao (2007), showcasing his influential guitar work and compositional skills during a transformative era for the band.
Current Musical Endeavors
Today, Rune Eriksen remains an incredibly active and prolific figure within the extreme metal realm and beyond, contributing his distinctive talent to several compelling projects:
- Aura Noir: As a key member of this Norwegian black/thrash metal powerhouse, Eriksen contributes to their raw, aggressive sound, which often pays homage to the early thrash and black metal aesthetics.
- Earth Electric: Showcasing his versatility, Earth Electric delves into a more hard rock and doom metal-infused sound, demonstrating Eriksen’s ability to transcend strict genre boundaries.
- Twilight Of The Gods: This multinational outfit delivers epic heavy metal, drawing inspiration from legendary bands like Bathory, crafting powerful and atmospheric soundscapes.
- Vltimas: A true force in modern death metal, Vltimas is often described as a genuine supergroup due to its formidable lineup. Eriksen is joined by the legendary vocalist David Vincent, renowned for his iconic tenure with the American death metal pioneers Morbid Angel, and the exceptionally skilled drummer Flo Mounier of the Canadian technical death metal masters Cryptopsy. This collaboration has resulted in a potent blend of death metal virtuosity and aggression.
Notable Past Collaborations and Former Bands
Eriksen’s career is also marked by a fascinating array of past collaborations and significant projects that highlight his broad artistic scope:
- Nader Sadek: In an intriguing twist of fate, Rune Eriksen and Flo Mounier (his Vltimas bandmate) previously collaborated with Steve Tucker, who notably served as both a predecessor and successor to David Vincent as vocalist in Morbid Angel. This powerful triumvirate came together for the conceptual death metal project of Egyptian-American artist Nader Sadek. This collaboration underscored Eriksen's willingness to engage in unique and visually-driven musical endeavors.
- Guest Appearances: His sought-after guitar work has graced releases from diverse acts, including the American mythological black/thrash metal band Absu, the atmospheric Romanian black metal ensemble Negură Bunget, and the Czech black/heavy metal veterans Root, showcasing his adaptability across various extreme metal subgenres.
- Mezzerschmitt: Among his former ventures is Mezzerschmitt, an experimental industrial black metal project that allowed Eriksen to explore more unconventional and abrasive sonic territories.
- Ava Inferi: From 2005 to 2013, Eriksen was the driving force behind the acclaimed Portuguese gothic doom metal band Ava Inferi, a project that showcased his compositional depth in a more melancholic and atmospheric vein. It is noteworthy that Eriksen's current residence in Portugal aligns perfectly with the geographical roots of Ava Inferi, further cementing his connection to the vibrant Portuguese metal scene.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rune Eriksen
- Who is Rune Eriksen, also known as Blasphemer?
- Rune Eriksen is a highly respected Norwegian musician and composer, widely recognized by his former stage name "Blasphemer." He is best known for his influential tenure as the guitarist for the pioneering Norwegian black metal band Mayhem from 1994 to 2008. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Spellemannprisen, Norway's equivalent to the Grammy Awards.
- What is Rune Eriksen's most famous band?
- Rune Eriksen is most renowned for his role as the guitarist "Blasphemer" in the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, a period during which he contributed to significant albums like Grand Declaration of War, Chimera, and Ordo Ad Chao.
- What bands does Rune Eriksen currently play in?
- As of now, Rune Eriksen is an active member of several prominent bands: Aura Noir (black/thrash metal), Earth Electric (hard rock/doom metal), Twilight Of The Gods (epic heavy metal), and the death metal supergroup Vltimas, which features David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel) and Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy).
- What other notable bands and projects has Rune Eriksen been a part of?
- Beyond his current commitments and Mayhem, Eriksen has been involved with projects such as the conceptual death metal collaboration with Nader Sadek, the experimental industrial black metal band Mezzerschmitt, and the Portuguese gothic doom metal band Ava Inferi, which he founded.
- What type of music does Rune Eriksen compose and perform?
- Rune Eriksen's musical contributions predominantly span various subgenres of extreme metal, including black metal, death metal, thrash metal, and gothic doom metal. However, his work with bands like Earth Electric and Twilight Of The Gods also demonstrates his versatility in hard rock and epic heavy metal, showcasing a broad range of compositional styles.