Lord Ahriman

Lord Ahriman: The True Emperor amongst the Kings of Swedish Black Metal

Enter the void, where the blackest realms of Metal reside. This is where darkness calls, and where legends are forged.

When the history of Black Metal is spoken, one cannot overlook the kingdom of Sweden. Dark Funeral, the unparalleled titans of the genre, stand as pioneers of Swedish Black Metal, a title rightfully bestowed upon them by devoted fans worldwide. Formed in 1993, Dark Funeral’s legacy would be incomplete without the visionary presence of Lord Ahriman, the band’s founding member and enduring force.

Hailing from the cold northern town of Luleå, Sweden, Lord Ahriman was raised in a musically-inclined household, where his passion for music blossomed early. By 1989, he was honing his songwriting skills, and between 1989 and 1992, he led his first band, Satan’s Disciples. His journey took him to Stockholm in 1991, where, two years later, Dark Funeral was born (at first the band was called “Ahriman”, before changing the name to Dark Funeral).

On May 4, 1994, Dark Funeral’s self-financed, self-titled EP shocked the world, paving the way for the band’s genre-defining sound. But it was with their debut full-length album, *The Secrets of the Black Arts* (1996), that the band forever altered the landscape of Black Metal. This groundbreaking release was hailed as one of the first truly anthemic Melodic Black Metal albums, with its striking melodies and intricate guitar work creating an atmosphere so dark and compelling that many listeners were convinced keyboards were involved. Yet, there were no keyboards—just raw, masterful guitar.

To date, Dark Funeral has released seven full-length albums, continuing to push the boundaries of Black Metal. Their sixth album, *Where Shadows Forever Reign* (2016), earned two prestigious awards: the P3 Gold for Rock/Metal and the Metal Hammer Award for Metal Anthem. In 2018, Lord Ahriman himself received the SKAP Metal Award for his songwriting prowess, with the organization declaring, “He alone sits on the throne of the kingdom of dark metal; he creates raging music with moods and sounds that send shivers down the spine and are beloved by fans worldwide.”

March 18, 2022, saw the release of *We Are The Apocalypse*, Dark Funeral’s seventh album. True to its name, the record delves deeper into realms of darkness and despair, showcasing Lord Ahriman’s unyielding ability to conjure malevolent atmospheres through his exceptional guitar work. Since their early days, the band’s evolution has only heightened the power and intensity of their sound, and their mastery remains unmatched.

At the core of Dark Funeral’s music lies Lord Ahriman’s raw, unfiltered darkness and signature shredding technique, which continues to resonate with fans across the globe. His vision remains at the helm of one of Black Metal’s most enduring and influential bands.

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Lord Ahriman
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Dark Funeral
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Website: darkfuneral.se

Michael Svanberg