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Faust (musician)

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Bård Eithun
Faust performing with Emperor at Wacken Open Air 2014
Faust performing with Emperor at Wacken Open Air 2014
Background information
Birth nameBård Guldvik Eithun
Also known asFaust
Born (1974-04-21) 21 April 1974 (age 50)
Hedmark, Norway
Genres
OccupationDrummer
Years active1989–1994, 2003–present
Member of
Formerly of

Bård Guldvik "Faust" Eithun (born 21 April 1974) is a Norwegian musician, best known as the drummer of black metal band Emperor and the main lyricist of blackened death metal band Zyklon. A prominent member of the early Norwegian black metal scene, Eithun was sentenced to 14 years in prison for murder and church arson in 1994.[1] He was released in 2003 and has since continued performing as a drummer for Emperor, Djevel, Blood Tsunami, Aborym and Scum. Eithun won the Norwegian Spellemann Award in the Metal category with Djevel in 2022.[2]

Biography

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Early years

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Eithun was born on 21 April 1974 in Hedmark. At age sixteen, he moved to Lillehammer and became the drummer of Thorns, then-known as Stigma Diabolicum.[3][4] Eithun published the underground fanzine Orcustus in the early 1990s.[5] In 1992, he moved to Oslo and started working in Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth's shop Helvete, having been pen-pals with the Mayhem guitarist since 1987.[3][6] Eithun joined Emperor as a drummer that same year and became a part of the inner circle of the early Norwegian black metal scene.[7][3]

Conviction and release

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On 21 August 1992, while visiting his family in Lillehammer, Eithun stabbed Magne Andreassen, a gay man, to death after being sexually propositioned by him.[8][9][10] According to Eithun, while walking home from a pub through the Olympic park, Andreassen drunkenly approached him and solicited him for sex.[8] Eithun agreed to go with him to the nearby woods and stabbed Andreassen 37 times[8][11] while also repeatedly stomping on the victim's head.[citation needed] Upon returning to Oslo the following day, he told Aarseth, Varg Vikernes, and a few other members of the black metal scene what he had done.[8][12] Eithun, Aarseth and Vikernes later burned down Holmenkollen Chapel together.[8] After Vikernes' murder of Aarseth in August 1993, Eithun was arrested and confessed to killing Andreassen on impulse.[7] In early 1994, Emperor released their debut album, In the Nightside Eclipse. Later that year, Eithun was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment and subsequently left Emperor,[1][3] with the imprisonment to happen at Ullersmo. He testified against Vikernes in the latter's murder and arson trial that same year.[3] Although media had linked Eithun's murder to black metal and speculated that he was motivated by Satanism, fascism, or homophobia, he has later denied being a satanist and having racist, fascist or homophobic views in several interviews.[13][14][15] Singer Gaahl, an openly gay member of the Norwegian black metal scene, stated that Eithun was the first person to send him a message of support when he came out.[16]

In 2001, Eithun became the main lyricist of blackened death metal band Zyklon and also contributed lyrics to albums released by Sigh and Wurdulak. He joined the hardcore punk/black metal supergroup Scum with members of Emperor, Turbonegro and Mindgrinder the following year.[17]

In 2003, Eithun was released from prison due to good behavior after serving nine years and four months.[14] Of his incarceration, Eithun said: "It has taught me a lot about myself, my limits, my psyche and my will. I think it as a positive thing that I was removed from the black metal scene because I was heading towards a very destructive path."[18] In later interviews, Eithun has expressed remorse for his actions in the 1990s and called them senseless.[7]

Later career

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Following his release, Eithun was interviewed for the black metal documentary Until the Light Takes Us, later released in 2008.[3] Eithun was announced as Swedish extreme metal band Dissection's new drummer in 2003, but departed the band that same year due to ideological differences.[19][20] Scum released their first album, Gospels for the Sick, in 2005. Eithun joined thrash metal Blood Tsunami and industrial black metal band Aborym that same year.[21][22] He released his first album with Aborym as a member the following year, having previously contributed lyrics to the band.[23] Blood Tsunami released their debut album, Thrash Metal, in 2007. Eithun joined punk/metal band Mongo Ninja in 2009 and released three albums with the band before their disbandment in 2012.[24]

In 2013, Eithun returned to Emperor as drummer for the 20th anniversary tour of In the Nightside Eclipse in the summer of 2014, which included a performance at Wacken Open Air.[25][26] He departed Aborym in 2014 after releasing three studio albums with the band.[27] In 2017, Eithun was announced as the new drummer for black metal band Djevel.[28] On 23 May 2021, Eithun appeared as a guest at Emperor's show at Notodden Theatre marking the 30th anniversary of their formation.[29] In 2022, Djevel won the Norwegian Spellemann Award in the Metal category for the album Tanker som rir natten, released the previous year.[2]

Education

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While incarcerated, Eithun completed two bachelor degrees at the University of Oslo in the history of religions and the history of ideas, in addition to studying a year of E-business at a private school in Oslo.[18]

Discography

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With Emperor

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Studio albums

EPs

Compilation albums

With Scum

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Studio albums

With Blood Tsunami

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Studio albums

  • Thrash Metal (2007)
  • Grand Feast for Vultures (2009)
  • For Faen! (2013)
  • Grave Condition (2018)

EPs

  • Castle of Skulls (2009)

With Aborym

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Studio albums

With Mongo Ninja

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Studio albums

  • ...And the Wrist Is History (2009)
  • No Cunt for Old Men (2010)
  • Nocturnal Neanderthals (2011)

With Studfaust

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EPs

  • Half Human, Half Dynamite / 1980's Ladies (2012)
  • Where the Underdogs Bark (2014)

With Djevel

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Studio albums

  • Blant svarte graner (2018)
  • Ormer til armer, maane til hode (2019)
  • Tanker som rir natten (2021)
  • Naa skrider natten sort (2022)

EPs

  • Englene Som Falt Ned I Min Seng, Skal Jeg Sette Fri Med Brukne Vinger Og Torneglorier (2021)

Lyrical, vocal and instrumental credits

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Year Artist Title Song(s) Notes
2000 Ulver Perdition City "The Future Sound of Music" Drums
2001 Emperor A Tribute to Mayhem: Originators of the Northern Darkness "Funeral Fog"
2001 SiriuS Spectral Transition - Dimension SiriuS "Spectral Transition", "Spiritual Metamorphosis" Vocal samples
"Dimensional Quantum", "The Majesty of the Nightsky" Drums
2001 Cadaver Inc. Discipline "Kill Tech" Spoken passage
2001 Sigh Imaginary Sonicscape "Nietzschean Conspiracy" Lyrics
2001 Wurdulak Ceremony in Flames "Containment of Inferno"
2001 Zyklon World ov Worms
2003 Aborym With No Human Intervention "With No Human Intervention", "Faustian Spirit of the Earth" Lyrics, spoken words
2003 Disiplin Disiplin "Strategy Formulation"
2003 Zyklon Aeon Lyrics
2006 Zyklon Disintegrate
2009 Fenriz' Red Planet/Nattefrost Engangsgrill "Nekronaut II Nekro Spirituals", "Humiliated and Pissed Upon" Drums
2010 The Wretched End Ominous "Of Men and Wolves", "Numbered Days", "With Ravenous Hunger", "Residing in Limbo" Lyrics
2010 Zyklon The Storm Manifesto
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Eithun was portrayed by Valter Skarsgård in the 2018 biographical horror-thriller film Lords of Chaos.[30]

Bibliography

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  • Orcustus, underground zine published by Eithun in the early 1990s.

References

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  1. ^ a b "AMEN Frontman: Convicted Murderer FAUST Is 'The Nicest Man'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 October 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Drachman, Jillian (10 November 2022). "Spellemannpris-Winner DJEVEL Drops Their Latest Single, 'I Daudens Dimme Natt'". Metal Injection. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Aaron Aites (director, producer), Audrey Ewell (director, producer) (2009). Until the Light Takes Us (motion picture). Variance Films.
  4. ^ "THORNS – Stigma Diabolicum". Voices From The Darkside. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 February 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Campion, Chris (20 February 2005). "In the face of death". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Emperor's Faust: A Life Forever Changed by a Single Night". Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Godfrey, Alex (22 March 2019). "'Before you know it, it's not a big deal to kill a man': Norwegian black metal's murderous past". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  9. ^ Moynihan & Søderlind 2003, p. 111
  10. ^ Aaron Aites (director, producer), Audrey Ewell (director, producer) (2009). Until the Light Takes Us (motion picture). Variance Films.
  11. ^ Moynihan & Søderlind 2003, pp. 111, 113, 116
  12. ^ Moynihan & Søderlind 2003, p. 116
  13. ^ Interview with Euronymous, Faust, Metalion and others from Beat, Issue 2 (1993) Archived 25 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ a b Bowar, Chad. "Interview with former Emperor drummer Faust". Archived from the original on 29 June 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  15. ^ "Interview with Peter "Pete" Vegem and Bård "Faust" Eithun of Blood Tsunami". OX-FANZINE. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  16. ^ Godla, Frank (28 May 2019). "Gaahl Opens Up On Being Gay In The Black Metal Scene, New GAAHLS WYRD Album, His Evolving Career, & The Three Biggest Changes In His Life". Metal Injection. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  17. ^ "AMEN Singer Talks About SCUM And His Love For Black Metal". Blabbermouth.net. 28 December 2004. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Former EMPEROR Drummer Reflects On Past, Looks Forward To Future". Blabbermouth.net. 2 November 2002. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  19. ^ "DISSECTION Set To Reform!". BraveWords. 7 March 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Drummer FAUST Leaves DISSECTION". Blabbermouth.net. 10 December 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Hit The Lights: Faust: 'It's Easier To Distinguish Blood Tsunami From Other Groups'". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Former EMPEROR Drummer FAUST Joins ABORYM". Blabbermouth.net. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  23. ^ "ABORYM Faust Delivers!". BraveWords. 10 December 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  24. ^ Smith, Bradley (2013). "Blood Tsunami Interview 2013". www.nocturnalcult.com. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Drummer BÅRD 'FAUST' EITHUN Confirms Involvement With EMPEROR Reunion". Blabbermouth.net. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Reunited EMPEROR Performs At SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Aborym adds guitarist, loses drummer". Lambgoat. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Djevel - Line-up for the new album: Faust: Drums T.Ciekals: Guitars & Chants Mannevond: Vocals & Bass". Facebook. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  29. ^ "EMPEROR To Celebrate 30th Anniversary With 'A Night Of Emperial Wrath 2021' Livestream Event". Blabbermouth.net. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  30. ^ "BEHEMOTH's NERGAL Defends 'Lords Of Chaos' Movie: 'It's Really Well Done'". Blabbermouth.net. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2022.

Sources

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