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Covenant emerged in Hamar in 1992, founded by Stian “Nagash” Arnesen and Amund “Blackheart” Svensson as a vehicle for melodic and symphonic black metal steeped first in darkness and later in cosmic and fantastical themes. Their earliest work included the unreleased Hatred demo from 1993, a raw death‑metal‑leaning session derailed by the shortcomings of their original drummer, Shnaga, who was dismissed soon after. The band’s true debut took shape through low‑budget recordings that eventually became In Times Before the Light, a harsh yet melodic statement that circulated in the underground before its delayed official release. Covenant quickly grew into a prominent force in the rising Norwegian scene, expanding their sound with the acclaimed Nexus Polaris, whose orchestral sweep and astral atmosphere solidified their reputation.

Legal pressure from a long‑established Swedish electronic act forced the band to abandon the Covenant name after Nexus Polaris, prompting their transformation into The Kovenant. This shift coincided with a stylistic evolution toward industrial and electronic elements, though the group continued to revisit and perform their early material, including a full live rendition of In Times Before the Light at Aurora Infernalis in 2011. Over the years, the lineup intersected with notable figures such as Sarah Jezebel Deva, and at one point Tarja Turunen was approached to join following Deva’s departure. Their visual identity was marked by a logo crafted by Christophe Szpajdel, and their work appeared across numerous compilations throughout the late 1990s. After periods of dormancy and reinvention, the band reactivated under The Kovenant name in 2024, reconnecting with the legacy forged in their earliest, most atmospheric years.

 

Covenant recorded a demo called Hatred in 1993 which was never released due to the incompetence of their first drummer Shnaga, who was kicked out of the band after these recordings. On this demo their music is death metal.

Tarja Turunen was asked to join the band after the departure of Sarah Jezebel Deva.

Now known as The Kovenant, they had to change their name for legal issues after the release of Nexus Polaris due to the name already being used by a much longer-running Swedish EBM band.

Performed the entire "In Times Before the Light" album as a one-off live appearance at Aurora Infernalis 2011 with the then-current Troll line-up.

Logo by Christophe Szpajdel.

Compilation appearances:
- "Dragonstorms" on The Rape of the Holy Trinity (Hot Records, 1996)
- "The Chasm" on Metal Explosion Vol. 4 (Adipocere, 1997)
- "Planetarium" on Off Road Tracks Vol. 7 (Metal Hammer, 1997)
- "Planetarium" on Gods of Darkness (Nuclear Blast Records, 1997)
- "Planetarium" on Feuersturm (Century Media Records, 1997)
- "Planetarium" on 10 Years Nuclear Blast (Nuclear Blast Records, 1997)
- "Planetarium" on Dynamit Vol. 10 (Rock Hard, 1998)
- "Planetarium" on BlackMetalliliitto (Spinefarm Records, 1998)
- "Planetarium" on Super Natural Extremities Vol. II (Grinder Magazine, 1998)
- "Chariots of Thunder" on Rock Extremum 1/98 (Rock Extremum Records, 1998)
- "Bizarre Cosmic Industries" on News From Nuclear Blast Volume 1 (Nuclear Blast Records, 1998)
- "Planetarium" on Nuclear Blast Soundcheck - Series - Volume 13 (Nuclear Blast Records, 1998)
- "Planetarium" on Century Media, Nuclear Blast, Avantgarde Präsentieren: Ablaze Compilation Heft 19 (Ablaze Magazine, 1998)
- "The Sulphur Feast" on Black Metal (Hard N' Heavy, 1998)
- "Sulphurfist" on Live In Wacken VHS (Nuclear Blast Records, 1999)
- "Chariots of Thunder" on Death ... Is Just The Beginning V (Nuclear Blast Records, 1999)
- "Planetary Black Elements" on Metal Hammer Collection - Black Extremal (Lighthouse Records, 2000)
- "Planetary Black Elements" on Black Collection (cassette, 2000)
- "Chariots of Thunder" on Death ... Is Just The Beginning V Part 1 ‎Tape (Music Trax)
- "Sulphurfest (Live)" on Black Metal Kings Vol. 1 VHS (Monster Video)

Last known
Blackheart	Guitars (1992-1999), Keyboards (1993-1998), Bass (1994-1997)
See also: ex-The Kovenant, ex-Troll
Nagash	Vocals (1992-1999), Drums, Keyboards (1993-1997), Bass (1997-1999)
See also: The Kovenant, Troll, ex-Throat Violence, ex-Chrome Division, ex-Dimmu Borgir, ex-Kvesta, ex-Carpe Tenebrum, ex-Abbadon's Realm, ex-Nagashizzar
Hellhammer	Drums (1997-1999)
See also: Arcturus, Mayhem, Mortem, The Kovenant, Mezzerschmitt, ex-Age of Silence, ex-Winds, ex-Den Saakaldte, ex-Dimmu Borgir, ex-Emperor, ex-Helvitnir, ex-Høstsol, ex-Mysticum, ex-Nidingr, ex-Shining, ex-Troll, ex-Umoral, ex-Immortal (live), ex-Tritonus (live), ex-Carnivora, ex-Descended
Past
Shnaga	Drums (1992-1993)
Astennu	Guitars (1997-1999)
See also: Lord Kaos, ex-Carpe Tenebrum, ex-Dimmu Borgir, ex-The Kovenant, ex-Infernal Method
Sverd	Keyboards (1997-1998)
See also: Arcturus, Mortem, The Kovenant, ex-Ulver, ex-Emperor (live), ex-Ved Buens Ende (live), ex-Descended
Sarah Jezebel Deva	Vocals (soprano) (1997-1998)
See also: Heljarmadr, Sarah Jezebel Deva, The Kovenant, Nader Sadek (live), ex-Angtoria, Torn Between Two Worlds, ex-Cradle of Filth (live), ex-Hecate Enthroned (live), ex-Mortiis (live), ex-Therion (live)
Past (Live)
Kine Hult	Keyboards (1998)
See also: ex-Gehenna, ex-Satyricon (live)

 

 

From the Storm of Shadows	Demo	1994
Promo 1995	Demo	1995
In Times Before the Light	Full-length	1997
Nexus Polaris	Full-length	1998