Easily one of the best "forgotten" black metal bands from the early-mid 90s, Sweden's two-man-and-two-man-only Nåstrond formed in 1993 and released a few demos, an EP, and two full-lengths (on Napalm Records, no less) before disappearing for well-nigh a decade. Currently Encyclopaedia Metallum has them listed as active on the band's page, despite having released nothing in five years. Nevertheless, I've unearthed an interview with drummer Arganas and guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Draugr (Karl Nachzehrer) from 1995 in Kill Yourself 'Zine # 4. It's remarkably long, and if you look closely and know what you're looking for, you'll no doubt discover some unorthodox political views in the responses of Draugr/Karl Nachzehrer.
Arganas and Draugr (Nåstrond) - Kill Yourself 'Zine # 4 - 1995
The reason I'm featuring them here is their debut LP, Toteslaut, which is remarkably accomplished, although I suppose it has to be taken into account that it was released in 1995 and they may have been just a bit behind the pack. Still, the songwriting is outstanding, careening wildly yet effortlessly between sombre, almost classically-inflected melodic numbers a la Emperor - although keyboards are kept to a minimum - and rawer thrash-fests more akin to early Gorgoroth; I even detect a hint of folk-influence in some of the more melodic pieces, although there are no acoustic guitars to be found here. Granted, I really should be honest: this probably wasn't terribly ground-breaking when it was released, but if you're like me and simply can't get enough of golden age black metal, it's absolutely worth tracking down for the simple fact that it retains the old spirit that we're just not going to find anymore.
Nåstrond - Toteslaut - 1995
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