NUCLEAR WAR NOW! to release rare live recordings of Norway's 666: early proto-black metal predating Mayhem

Today, Nuclear War Now! Productions sets August 15th as the international release date for a collection of rare live recordings from Norway's 666, titled 666, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Although the identity of the first black metal band is a subject of much contentious debate, there are several elements of the subgenre’s early development that are commonly recognized and accepted. Among these are the term’s origination in the title to Venom’s seminal second album from 1982, and the fact that the sound acquired its more sinister overtones two years later when Bathory revolutionized the metal landscape with its self-titled debut. In 1986, Mayhem emerged in Norway and created the blueprint from which modern black metal has largely taken its cue. Almost completely overlooked for close to three decades, however, is a Norwegian antecedent of Mayhem by the name of 666, who predated its much more renowned compatriots by two years and also deserves recognition in this conversation.

666 (pronounced “sax-sax-sax”) was formed in the northern city of Tromsø in early 1982. The band was originally composed of Alf "Alfen" Krogseth (guitar) and Knut Nilsen (drums), who had left their previous punk outfit, Norgez Bank, when it underwent a change in style. They later recruited Knut Seppelæ (guitar) and Bjørn Olav "Bønna" Helberg (bass) and played their first live shows in June of that same year. Towards the end of 1982, Tom Arne Hermansen joined as vocalist, and Helberg was replaced on bass by another former member of Norgez Bank, Erik Smith-Meyer, in 1983.

In the meantime, hear the selfsame live track "666" HERE at Nuclear War Now!'s Bandcamp. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for 666 (Norway)'s 666

1. 666
2. Yorkshire
3. Lucifer
4. Nokka Å Si
5. Ledera
6. Smerten
7. Alkohol
8. Ledera
9. 666
10. Love and Kiss
11. Smerten
12. Alkohol