Crest of Darkness

Ingar Amlien balanced duties as bassist, guitarist, and vocalist in the Norwegian progressive metal group Conception with the launch of his black metal side project Crest of Darkness, formed alongside keyboardist Lars Christian Narum and drummer Nils H. Maehlum. The initial lineup delivered the Quench My Thirst EP in 1996 followed swiftly by the Sinister Scenario LP the next year. Crest of Darkness marked its third release and first after Conception disbanded with the 1999 album The Ogress, now expanded into a five-piece featuring vocalist Kristin Fjellseth, keyboardist Jan Petter Ringvold, and former Conception drummer Arve Heimdal. Further lineup shifts accompanied the aptly titled 2000 effort Project Regeneration, which introduced guitarist Akke and marked the band’s debut live performances. Following an extended hiatus, the project reverted to a trio of Amlien, Akke, and drummer Kjetil Hektoen for the 2004 album Evil Knows Evil.