Origin: Norway
Formed: Unknown
Status: Active
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Duplicate Records
Themes: Not officially listed
Nemesis is a Norwegian black metal project based in Haugesund, representing one of the more recent yet fiercely traditional voices in the country’s underground scene. Though details about the project’s formation remain scarce, Nemesis quickly drew attention for its uncompromising approach: cold, riff‑driven black metal rooted in the early Norwegian tradition, delivered with a rawness and intensity that avoids modern embellishments. The project is the sole vision of S.B.E., a multi‑instrumentalist also known for his work in Baneful Tongue and the heavy/doom outfit Dunbarrow—an unusual combination that adds depth to Nemesis’ musical identity.
The first release, the 2019 demo Demo .​:​. , introduced a sound steeped in classic black metal aesthetics: sharp tremolo riffs, harsh vocals, and a stripped‑down production style that emphasized atmosphere over clarity. The demo circulated widely in underground circles and was praised for its authenticity and its refusal to dilute the genre’s foundational elements.
Nemesis reached a new level of recognition with the self‑titled full‑length Nemesis (2023), released through Duplicate Records. The album expanded on the project’s early promise, offering a more cohesive and fully realized expression of S.B.E.’s vision. Critics highlighted the album’s balance between ferocity and melodic undercurrents, its dynamic pacing, and its ability to evoke the spirit of early 1990s Norwegian black metal without falling into imitation. The record’s atmosphere—icy, hostile, and ritualistic—earned it strong reception among fans of traditionalist black metal.
Despite its minimal public presence, Nemesis has established itself as a potent force within the modern Norwegian underground: solitary, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in the genre’s origins. With S.B.E. at the helm, the project continues to channel a raw, elemental form of black metal that resonates with purists and new listeners alike.
S.B.E. – All instruments, Vocals
See also: Baneful Tongue, Dunbarrow
Demos
Full‑length Albums