Origin: Russia
Formed: 2004 (as North Black), 1997–2004 as Asmodey
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Status: Active
Label: Insane Dream Music
Themes: Gore, Death, Madness, Sickness
North Black is an atmospheric black metal project from Koryazhma, Arkhangelsk Oblast, active since 2004 and led entirely by Svart Trygghet, a prolific and uncompromising figure in the Russian underground. Before adopting the North Black name, the project existed as Asmodey (1997–2004), releasing several raw and abrasive works that laid the foundation for the extreme, psychologically disturbed aesthetic that would define North Black’s identity.
From its inception, North Black has embraced a uniquely unhinged blend of atmospheric black metal, depressive elements, and horror‑driven themes. The project’s sound is characterized by lo‑fi production, chaotic riffing, distorted vocals, and an unsettling emotional tone rooted in madness, sickness, and existential decay. Rather than pursuing the nature‑oriented or melancholic atmospheres typical of Russian atmospheric black metal, North Black focuses on psychological horror, gore‑infused imagery, and the darker recesses of the human mind.
The debut full‑length Вечность (2006) introduced this deranged aesthetic, followed quickly by Ветры боли (2007) and a torrent of releases in 2008, including Howl Zombie, Обломки душ нейтрального горя, Mental Deviations of Soul, and Aura of Our Sins. This period established North Black as one of the most prolific and unpredictable projects in the Russian scene, with each album exploring different facets of insanity, spiritual collapse, and grotesque emotional states.
The late 2000s and early 2010s saw continued output, including Depression Dead Mind (2009), the EP Horror Witch (2009), and the compilation Strova i skogen in North Black (2009). The 2010 split End Off further expanded the project’s underground presence. In 2013, North Black released Loneliness Consciousness, Maniac Depressive Deviation (EP), and Kjent, works that leaned more heavily into depressive black metal while retaining the project’s signature deranged atmosphere.
From 2014 onward, North Black entered a period of stylistic experimentation, incorporating dark ambient, ritualistic elements, and Scandinavian‑influenced aesthetics. Releases such as Tornekrone tordenvaer (2014), Filosofi svart skog (2014), Excellence smerter (2014), and L.L.L.(R1a1) (2015) demonstrated a shift toward colder, more atmospheric textures while maintaining the project’s psychological intensity.
The late 2010s and early 2020s continued this prolific streak, with albums like Tårer av skogen (2018), Kjent – Synth Version (2018), Worldly Tears over Eternal Loss (2021), and The Religion of Death (2022). These works blend depressive atmospheres, ritualistic black metal, and a uniquely Russian sense of existential dread.
North Black’s upcoming full‑length Endecraise Park (2025) signals yet another evolution, promising a continuation of the project’s long‑standing themes of death, madness, and spiritual disintegration.
Throughout its existence, North Black has remained a solitary vision. Svart Trygghet, also known for his involvement in Goat Horns and Anal Parasite, channels a relentless creative drive into the project, resulting in one of the most extensive and psychologically intense discographies in Russian atmospheric black metal. North Black stands as a testament to raw, unfiltered artistic obsession—disturbing, prolific, and unmistakably unique.
Svart Trygghet – all instruments, vocals, composition (2004–present)
Also in: Goat Horns, Anal Parasite
Full‑lengths
English Death (2000)
For God (2004)
Skinless (2004)
Full‑lengths
Вечность (2006)
Ветры боли (2007)
Howl Zombie (2008)
Обломки душ нейтрального горя (2008)
Mental Deviations of Soul (2008)
Aura of Our Sins (2008)
Depression Dead Mind (2009)
Loneliness Consciousness (2013)
Kjent (2013)
Filosofi svart skog (2014)
Excellence smerter (2014)
L.L.L.(R1a1) (2015)
Tårer av skogen (2018)
Kjent – Synth Version (2018)
Worldly Tears over Eternal Loss (2021)
The Religion of Death (2022)
Endecraise Park (2025)
EPs
Horror Witch (2009)
Maniac Depressive Deviation (2013)
Martyr (2018)
De avond zon over reïncarnatie (2018)
I Am an Idol, I Am Enlightenment (2020)
Negoduyu‑Pareno.Rodnad.Ivenuk (2022)
Demos
Tornekrone tordenvaer (2014)
Splits
End Off (2010)
Evening Sun, Reincarnation (2017)
The Cold of the Beholder (2021)
Compilations
Strova i skogen in North Black (2009)