Sarke

Originating in Norway, extreme metal outfit Sarke unites players drawn from Khold, Tulus, and Darkthrone. The group surfaced toward the close of the 2000s, fusing black, speed, and doom metal with groove-laden 1970s rock touches. Its first release, the blistering Vorunah, arrived in 2009, after which the band delivered a series of punishing and dynamic albums that include Aruagint (2013), Viige Urh (2017), and Allsighr (2021).

Sarke took shape in Oslo during 2008 when bassist/guitarist Thomas “Sarke” Bergli of Khold and Tulus began the project on his own. It expanded into a trio once keyboardist Anders Hunstad and Darkthrone vocalist Ted “Nocturno Culto” Skjellum joined. Listing influences that range across Mayhem, Slayer, Darkthrone, Celtic Frost, Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Death, Motörhead, and Kreator, the band issued its debut album Vorunah in 2009. Drummer Terje Kråbøl and guitarist Steinar Gundersen (Satyricon, Spiral Architect) entered ahead of 2011’s Oldarhian, both that album and its predecessor appearing on Norwegian metal label Indie Recordings. The lineup remained intact and powered every later effort, among them Aruagint (2013), Bogefod (2016), Viige Urh (2017), and Gastwerso (2019). Sarke independently released its seventh long-player, Allsighr, in 2021.