Horna

Horna
Horna performing in 2018
Horna performing in 2018
Background information
OriginLappeenranta, Finland[1]
GenresBlack metal
Years active1994–present
Labels
MembersShatraug
Infection
Spellgoth
LRH
VnoM
Past membersNazgul von Armageddon
Moredhel
Thanatos
A. T. Otava
Skratt
Vrasjarn
Gorthaur
Lord Sargofagian
Saturnus
Corvus
Vainaja
Hex Inferi
Horna at the Dark Troll Festival 2018
Singer Spellgoth at the Dark Troll Festival 2018

Horna (Finnish for "abyss" or "hell")[2] is a Finnish black metal band formed Lappeenranta, Finland, in 1994. The band has appeared on over fifty releases including splits, demos, EPs and albums since 1995, which have been released through numerous record labels.

History

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Horna was formed in 1994 by vocalist and guitarist Shatraug, guitarist Moredhel and drummer Gorthaur.[3] Horna did not start recording until early 1995. The first demo, Varjoissa, was released in September that year and sold out. In 1996, Nazgul von Armageddon took over vocal duties and the band recorded their second demo Hiidentorni in January 1997, resulting in a deal with the Greek label Solistitium Records. Their first full-length album, Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua, was released in 1998. The band continued to release albums under this label through June 1998, when Moredhel and bassist Skratt left the band. Bassist Thanatos replaced Skratt soon afterwards, and Moredhel re-joined that August. In 1999, the band signed to Norwegian label Oskorei Productions for a vinyl-only release of the band's second album, Haudankylmyyden Mailla, and the band released a series of limited vinyl-only EPs and split albums through most of the early 2000s, with full-length studio albums coming out in the latter half of the decade.[1] In 2002, Nazgul von Armageddon left the band, leaving vocal duties to Corvus.[3] In July 2003, it was announced that guitarist Aarni T. Otava had left the group. Horna cited the loss of "dedication" as the reason behind his departure, and revealed that Horna's performance at 2003's Tuska Open Air Metal Festival would be their last with Otava handling guitar duties.[4] Corvus left the band and Spellgoth took over as vocalist in 2009.[5]

Lyrics and style

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Horna plays black metal and the lyrics are infuelnced by satanism and anti-christianity.[6] Some of Horna's early work has also references to J. R. R Tolkien's novel The Lord of The Rings.[7]

Controversy

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Horna has been criticized for NSBM ties.[8] Former lead vocalist Nazgul von Armageddon was alleged to have expressed Nazi views in his solo project Satanic Warmaster. In 2005, founder Shatraug accused Nazgul of being "the Nazi in our ranks" and the band's website in 2007 declared that "[w]hat any ex-members might represent is not what we stand for."[9][10] Shatraug said that Horna was "nationalist to a certain point", but not National Socialist.[9]

In 2010, Horna concerts in Germany and Austria were cancelled because of allegations that the band was involved with NSBM. The band responded by denying any involvement with national socialism.[11][12]

On their 2019 American tour, Horna shows in New York City, Denver, Portland and Oakland were canceled after MetalSucks posted an article highlighting the band's connection to NSBM artists.[13] During the tour in Houston, members of the far-right extremist group Atomwaffen Division were seen doing Nazi salutes in the crowd during Horna's performance.[14] In response, Horna stated that the band has no interest in politics.[13][15]

Members

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Current members

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  • Shatraug – guitar (1994–present)
  • Infection – guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
  • Spellgoth – lead vocals (2009–present)
  • LRH – drums (2016–present)
  • VnoM – bass guitar (2018–present)

Former members

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Vocalist Corvus (left) with Horna in 2007
  • Moredhel – guitars, bass (1994–2000)
  • Gorthaur – drums (1994–2003, 2005)
  • Nazgul von Armageddon – lead vocals, keyboards (1996–2001)
  • Skratt – bass, keyboards (1997–1998)
  • A.T. Otava – bass, guitars (1998–2003)
  • Vrasjarn – bass (2000–2001)
  • Corvus – lead vocals (2002–2009)
  • Saturnus – guitars (2003–2007)
  • Vainaja – drums (2007–2016)
  • Lord Sargofagian – drums (2007)
  • Hex Inferi – bass (2012–2018)

Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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Splits

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  • Perimä vihassa ja verikostossa / Whispered Myths (1999)
  • Horna / Musta Surma (2000)
  • Musta Surma / Horna (2002)
  • Horna / Desolation Triumphalis (2003)
  • Tästä alkavat minun vuoteni / Live Invocation (2003)
  • Horna / Woods of Infinity (2004)
  • Horna / Behexen (2004)
  • Vihan vuodet (2005)
  • Goatfucking Gent / Vivicomburium (2005)
  • Unohdetut Kasvot, Unohdettu Ääni / Un Sogno Oscuro (2005)
  • Horna / Blackdeath (2005)
  • Ilman Arvoa ja Arkkua / Kinaidos (2006)
  • Horna / Sacrificia Mortuorum (2006)
  • Horna / Peste Noire (2007)
  • Horna / Nefarious (2009)
  • Horna / Den Saakaldte (2014)
  • Demonic Christ / Horna (2014)
  • Atavistic Resurgence (2015)
  • Horna / Pure (2018)
  • Horna / Obscure Anachronism (2024)

Compilations

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Demos

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  • Varjoissa (1995)
  • Hiidentorni (1997)

Live albums

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  • Black Metal Warfare (2004)
  • Vihan tiellä (2009)
  • Live Armageddon 1999–2000 (2016)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Horna – Black metal". Tartarean Desire. 3 June 2007. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
  2. ^ "Horna on the metal encyclopedia". 21 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b Torsten (3 July 2003). "Horna (Fin) – Interview". FinalWar. Archived from the original on 1 January 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  4. ^ "HORNA Part Ways With Guitarist". Blabbermouth. 11 July 2003. Archived from the original on 8 January 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  5. ^ "Horna | Discography, Members". Metal Kingdom. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Tuomas Rytkösen black metal -musiikki ammentaa saatananpalvonnasta ja rienaamisesta – mutta onko kristinuskon pilkkaamisessa enää mitään shokeeraavaa?". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 16 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  7. ^ Esko, Teemu (30 May 2024). "Tylsä Gorgoroth ja juurilleen palannut Horna – Steelfest-raportin ensimmäinen osa". KaaosZine (in Finnish). Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Horna, Band with NSBM Ties, Scheduled to Begin U.S. Tour Next Week". MetalSucks. 14 April 2021.
  9. ^ a b Christian Dornbusch, Hans-Peter Killguss (2005), Unheilige Allianzen (Black Metal zwischen Satanismus, Heidentum und Neonazismus), Münster: Unrast Verlag, p. 254, ISBN 3-89771-817-0
  10. ^ "Horna official". 22 December 2007. Archived from the original on 12 January 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Horna Comments On NSBM Allegations - in Metal News ( Metal Underground.com )". 4 April 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. ^ Watch, Left Coast Right. "HELL FOR HORNA: ANTIFASCISTS CAMPAIGN AGAINST BLACK METAL BAND'S U.S. TOUR AFTER... | Left Coast Right Watch". leftcoastrightwatch.org. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b Staff, BrooklynVegan (26 March 2019). "Horna gigs cancelled after racism accusations (The Kingsland included)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Denver music venue cancels metal show amid band's alleged Nazi ties". The Denver Post. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. ^ J.Anttolainen (26 March 2019). "Horna myrskyn silmässä - syytökset natsiyhteyksistä peruvat keikkoja Amerikassa". KaaosZine (in Finnish). Retrieved 7 November 2024.

Sources

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  • Bécognée, Laurent (October 2008). "Horna – Manifeste Occulte". Metallian (in French) (53). Meylan, France: Metallian Editions: 37. ISSN 1249-2396.
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