Ørjan Stedjeberg (born 24 September 1977 in Bergen), better known by his stage name Hoest, is a Norwegian musician. He is best known as the founder and songwriter of the black metal band Taake. Hoest is the band's sole member and records most instruments for studio releases. He has released eight studio albums and several EPs with the band. As a frontman, Hoest is known for his energetic live performances. He is also a member of the band Deathcult, the current live vocalist for Gorgoroth, and has previously been a member of Ragnarok and Ravengod.

Hoest
Hoest with Taake in 2009
Hoest with Taake in 2009
Background information
Birth nameØrjan Stedjeberg
Also known asUlvhedin
Born (1977-09-24) September 24, 1977 (age 47)
Bergen, Norway
GenresBlack metal
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • drums
Labels
  • Dark Essence Records
  • Svartekunst Produksjoner
Member of
Formerly of

Career

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In 1993, Hoest, then known as Ulvhedin, formed the band Thule together with drummer Svartulv.[1] After the release of two demos, the band changed their name to Taake in 1995, while Ulvhedin adopted the stage name Hoest (Norwegian for "autumn"). Following further demos and the departure of Svartulv, Hoest remained as Taake's sole member and released the debut album Nattestid Ser Porten Vid in 1999, the first release in a trilogy of concept albums linked by the topics of "death, Norway, and the devil in man".[2] Taake's sophomore album, Over Bjoergvin graater himmerik, was released in 2002 and saw the addition of several new band members. In 2005, Taake concluded their trilogy with the album Hordalands doedskvad and went on hiatus due to dissatisfaction with the black metal scene.[3] Hoest served prison sentences for assault in 2006 and 2007.[4][5][6]

In March 2007, Hoest appeared on stage at a Taake show in Essen, Germany with a swastika painted on his chest.[7] The incident sparked controversy and caused the band's remaining shows in Germany to be cancelled. Hoest later explained that the act was done to provocate and called it a spontaneous joke done in the spirit of punk.[8][9] In 2008, Taake's self-titled album was released, with Hoest performing all instruments and vocals. The band's fifth studio album, Noregs vaapen, was released in 2011, featuring several prominent Norwegian black metal artists, including Attila Csihar, Nocturno Culto, Demonaz and Ivar Bjørnson. The album was nominated for the Norwegian Spellemann award in the Metal category.[10] In 2012, Hoest joined Gorgoroth as a live vocalist.[11] Taake released their sixth studio album, Stridens hus, in 2014. The album Kong Vinter was released in 2017, with critics praising Hoest and Taake's longevity.[12] In 2023, Hoest released the band's first studio album in six years, Et Hav av Avstand.[13]

Discography

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Studio albums

Studio EPs

  • Nekro (2007)
  • Kveld (Evening) (2011)
  • Kulde (Cold) (2014)
  • Baktanker (Ulterior motives) (2017)

Live EPs

  • Svartekunst (Dark arts) (2008)

Compilation albums

  • Helnorsk svartmetall (All-Norwegian black metal) (2005)
  • The Box (2005)
  • Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner (Burial Chambers, Crowns and Thrones) (2013)
  • 7 Fjell (7 Mountains) (2017)
  • Avvik (Deviation) (2021)

With Deathcult

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Studio albums

  • Cult Of The Dragon (2007)
  • Cult Of The Goat (2017)

Studio EPs

  • Bestial Recordings (2021)
  • Seven Are They (2024)

Studio albums

  • Blackdoor Miracle (2004)

With Ravengod

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Studio EPs

  • Ravengod (2017)
  • Ravengod (2017)

Vocal and instrumental credits

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Year Artist Title Song(s) Instrument
2003 Ragnarok Celtic Frost Tribute - Order Of The Tyrants "Fainted Eyes" Vocals
2005 Nattefrost Terrorist (Nekronaut, Part I) "Goat Worship"
2006 Secht Secht
Amok Necrospiritual Deathcore "Goatflesh Removal (Corpus Christi)", "Goatflesh Removal (Memento Mori)", "Goatflesh Removal (Gloria In Excelsis Deo)" Drums
A Norwegian Hail to Von "Von"
2009 Nattefrost Engangsgrill Performer
2010 Kvelertak Kvelertak "Ulvetid" Vocals
Helheim Åsgards Fall "Dualitet Og Ulver"
The Meads Of Asphodel The Murder Of Jesus The Jew "Jew Killer"
2011 Panychida Woodland Journey "Rod Havrana"
Helheim Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr "Dualitet Og Ulver"
2012 Taake A Tribute To Emperor - In Honour Of Icon E "I Am The Black Wizards" (Emperor cover)
Shining Redefining Darkness "Du, Mitt Konstverk" Voice
2013 In The Eerie Cold Where All The Witches Dance "Sensommar" Lyrics
2014 Alfahanne Alfapokalyps "Såld På Mörkret" Vocals
2015 Orkan Livlaus "Uforgjengeleg"
2016 Urgehal Aeons In Sodom "The Sulphur Black Haze"
Djevel Norske Ritualer "Doedskraft Og Tri Nagler"
2018 Ováte Ováte "Song Til Ein Orm"
2019 Alfahanne Atomvinter "Atomvinter"
2021 Chris Wicked Aleine "Sørgebånd", "Når Allting Svartner", "Bare Deg Og Meg Og Natten" Bass
2022 Black Void Antithesis "Death To Morality" Vocals
Nyctopia Full Moon Calling "Full Moon Calling"
The Wolves Of Avalon Y Gododdin "Men Of Gododdin"

References

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  1. ^ "Taake til Hostile". Dagsavisen (in Norwegian). 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  2. ^ Taake interview, April 2005. Metal Reviews.
  3. ^ "Tungsinnets frontmenn". www.bt.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2005-08-30. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  4. ^ Taake interview, March 2009. Lords of Metal e-zine.
  5. ^ "Taake Frontman, Guitarist Doing Time in Norwegian Prison". Blabbermouth.net. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Taake Frontman Is Once Again A Free Man". Blabbermouth.net. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Taake Frontman In Swastika Scandal". Blabbermouth.net. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  8. ^ Lagnonector Hoest: "STATEMENT FROM HOEST", 23 March 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  9. ^ Søgnen, Adrian B. (9 January 2023). "Bergensk metalband blir kansellert i Australia". www.bt.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  10. ^ Injection, Metal (2012-01-16). "TAAKE'S Nomination for National Award Causes Debacle Due To Anti-Islamic Lyrics". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  11. ^ Pasbani, Robert (2012-08-22). "GORGOROTH Kick Out Pest; Have Silly Names". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  12. ^ Badin, Olivier (2017-12-08). "Taake - Kong Vinter album review". louder. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  13. ^ "TAAKE to release new album, 'Et Hav Av Avstand', this Fall". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 2023-11-12.