Noxagt

Noxagt, pronounced "noxact," spearheads the Nor-wave movement through its combination of bass, drums, and viola, taking direction from American noise ensembles such as Lightning Bolt, Pink & Brown, and Death from Above 1979. The trio generates crushing force while preserving elements of grandeur and theatrical excess typical of Scandinavian metal, thereby constructing an immense, shadowy expanse of doom. The project began in Norway in 1999 as bassist Kjetil D. Brandsdal's solo effort before expanding in 2001 into a power trio that incorporated violaist Nils Erga and drummer Jan Christian L. Kyvik. Early releases encompassed the Pantyland CD EP, a split 7" with Hellfire, and a live 7", along with tracks on four various-artists compilations, two of which accompanied issues of the prominent experimental music magazine Wire. Load Records put out the band's debut full-length, Turning It Down Since 2001, in May 2003, delivering an unrelenting barrage of deep grooves, pounding drums, and viola noise. The equally ferocious Iron Point arrived the following year.