Thorns

The idea for Thorns was that of Snorre Ruch (a.k.a. Blackthorn; guitar/multi-instruments) and would grow to become a strong influence over the Norwegian black metal scene. Thorns would prove to be a bit of an enigma in the death metal genre by producing only a few demos under their original configuration, and half an LP shared with Emperor. But in the black metal world they would become a massive influence to those wanting to incorporate elements of electronica and other similar styles, most noted those being expressed by Arcturus and their lot.

Originally forming under the name of Stigma Diabolicum (where they released three demos), the history of Thorns was broken during their early influential period between their original demos and the debut album due to Ruch's involvement with the boys in the "Black metal Circle" cult that murdered Oysten Aarseth (of Mayhem). Ruch drove the getaway car that helped Vikernes get to and from the flat; Ruch has always claimed he had no idea what was going on inside the apartment, however.

The aforementioned split album, Thorns/Emperor (1998; with Emperor) was the first to emerge after Ruch got out of the slammer, but the multi-instrumentalist couldn't do it all alone for a full album so he joined forces with Bjorn "Aldrahn" Dencker (vocals), Satyr Wongraven (of Satyricon; guitar) and Hellhammer (of Mayhem; drums) to release his debut album proper, Thorns (2001).

In October 2007, Greek label 'Kyrck Productions' released the Stigma Diabolicum compilation, featuring both the Grymyrk and Trøndertun demos, as well as material from the Stigma Diabolicum demos Lacus de Luna and Luna de Nocturnus and two tracks (Thule and Fall) from a 1991 Thorns rehearsal.

The band line up went through significant changes since the 2001 album with Jon Wesseltoft (bass), Christian Broholt (guitar) and Kenneth Kapstad joining.