Mysticum

Black metal and industrial? Thank Mysticum for starting that.

Mysticum is a unique band for a few reasons. First of all, they were one of the first to combine the coldness of black and industrial metal – a blend that became very popular in the 1990s. Not to mention some of its former members include Mayhem’s Hellhammer or Enslaved’s Iver Bjørnson, so prominent figures of the Norwegian metal scene.

And then there are the shows – here they really mean business. Mysticum puts on a performance that is meticulously planned and staged, while simultaneously free of pathos and pomp that come to mind when one thinks of metal music. The vibe is pure negativity.

History:

They started out as Sabazion, but after recording a couple of demos, the band decided to replant the germinating blend of black metal and industrial under another name. Mysticum was formed in 1993, perfecting the style first embossed as Sabazion.

The Norwegians sharpened their sound, recording smaller batches of material, before releasing their full-length debut “In The Streams of Inferno” in 1996. The record was positively received, but the band slowed down their activities and from 2002 to 2011 they were virtually disbanded.

In 2014, after 18 years, Mysticum released their second album, “Planet Satan”, continuing what they started in the distant past. This is still their latest release, but the promotion for it has been extensive, with the unprecedented number of concerts from the band.

Discography:

Studio albums:

In the Streams of Inferno, 1996
Planet Satan, 2014

Demos:

Medusa’s Tears, 1993
Piss Off!!!, 1995

Splits:

Mysticum / Ulver, 1994 (z Ulver)
Black Magic Mushrooms / The Habit of Fear, 2003 (z Audiopain)

Live albums:

Never Stop the Madness: The Roadburn Inferno, 2018

Compilations:

Mysticum (Best of), 1995
Lost Masters of the Universe, 2004
Industries of Inferno, 2022