KARISMA RECORDS is a relatively young record label based in Bergen, Norway, with world-wide distribution  that works within the progressive, pop, rock and electronica genres

Dark Essence Records is a sub-label of Karisma Records. We concentrate on the metal genre and have so far worked with great bands like Taake, Hades Almighty, Aeternus, Nidingr, Helheim, Dimension F3H, Ravencult, Vulture Industries, Deathcon, Malsain and Deathcult. Dark Essence Records is one of Norway’s fastest growing metal labels, with worldwide distribution. 

Formed in 2010, ALFAHANNE’s debut release came in 2013 with the appearance of the “Grym” split 7” with Sweden’s SHINING.   Playing what the band calls “Alfapocalyptic Rock”, which mixes Black Metal with Classic Rock and Punk, and topped off with some Goth influences, ALFAHANNE has created a style of music that is powerful and beautiful, yet ugly at the same time, and about which the band says:  “When you are into it you don´t feel pleasure and you don´t feel pain but you definitely FEEL”.  
Although ALFAHANNE itself might be a fairly new name to a lot of people, the band’s members, which include Pehr Skjoldhammer on Vocals and Guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on Guitars, Niklas Åström on Drums and Jimmy Wiberg on Bass,  have been around the Black Metal scene since the early ‘90’s, playing in bands like VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT and it is a tribute to the quality of the band that they managed to attract   the services of TAAKE’s Hoest, SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, and HELHEIM’s V’gandr as guest artist on Their debut full-length album "Alfapokalypse" which was released on Dark Essence Records at the start of 2014. 

Formed in 2007 in Bergen, Norway, by guitarists HeavyHarms and R.I.P Meister, BYFROST originally started life as a four-piece, before settling as a power-house trio composed of HeavyHarms on guitars and vocals, R.I.P Meister on five-string bass and HELLISH OUTCAST’s Alkolust on drums.  Their music has been described variously as Blackened Thrash and Black ‘n Roll, but whatever term you want to apply to it, the end result is always the same – a neck-breaking head banging experience

The band’s first album “Black Earth”, which included a guest appearance by ENSLAVED’s Arve Isdal, was released on Painkiller Records in April 2010 to much critical acclaim, and demonstrated the band’s ability to skillfully merge cold, dark riffs with a touch of the melodic.  BYFROST’s reputation as skilled musicians coupled with a dynamic stage presence has been consolidated by a series of live dates both at home and abroad, which included appearances at the Hole in the Sky and Karmoygeddon Festivals, the launch of Terrorizer Magazine’s Norwegian Grindhouse venture, and, along with ENSLAVED, at a special concert to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Garage, Bergen’s foremost venue. 

In early 2011 BYFROST inked a deal with Germany's AFM Records, who are set to release the band’s sophomore album before the summer.  The new album, to be titled of "Of Death'", will once again be recorded at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in the band’s home town of Bergen, and will be produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen and co-produced by ENSLAVED's Ice Dale.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & CONTACT DETAILS
MySpace: www.myspace.com/byfrostmetal
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BYFROST
Twitter: www.twitter.com/byfrostmetal
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/byfrost
Band Contact: byfrost@live.no
Management: Patricia Thomas Band Management 
patriciathomas@btinternet.com


On this site we intend to publish everything from brand new tracks, assorted rare oddities and pretty much everything in-between from the artists connected to our temple.

DISCOGRAPHY:
Der Vinterstormene raste (demo tape 1993)
Omfavnet av svarte Vinger (demo tape 1994)
Manndaudsvinter (demo tape 1995)
Koldbrann i Jesu Marg (7" EP 1996)
Nattestid... (album 1999)
...Bjoergvin... (album 2002)
Helnorsk Svartmetall (1993-1996 compilation album 2004)
Nordens Doedsengel (split 10" EP 2004)
...Doedskvad (album 2005)
A Norwegian Hail to VON (split 2x7" EP 2005)
Lagnonector (split 10" EP 2005)
Dra til Helvete (split 10" EP 2006)
Nekro (compilation MCD 2007)
Svartekunst (live 7" EP 2007)
Taake (album 2008)
Kveld (maxi single 2011)
Swine of Hades (split CD 2011)
Noregs Vaapen (album 2011)

Hoest has also participated on recordings with the following bands:
OFRYSKJE, RAVENGOD, RAGNAROK, NATTEFROST, SECHT, AMOK, DEATHCULT, THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL, KVELERTAK, HELHEIM
..and performed live with the following:
URGEHAL, RAGNAROK, CARPATHIAN FOREST, DESTRUCTION, NATTEFROST, SLAVIA, KVELERTAK, HELHEIM, NOCTURNO CULTO, VULTURE INDUSTRIES, SHINING

TAAKE (OFFICIAL) is following