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intothewellsabyss
Dec 9, 20225 min read

Taake - Stridens hus (2014)

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…



On December 8, 2014, Taake released their sixth full-length studio album, Stridens hus via Dark Essence Records/Candlelight Records.



Background:

In May of 2014, prior to the albums release, Taake had played their first show in the United States at the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore.


(Taake at Maryland Deathfest 2014)


In October 2014, prior to the release of the album, the bands label debuted the track Det fins en Prins to promote their then-upcoming release.



Overview:

To truly understand the music of Taake, one needs to understand the mastermind behind the music. Ever the controversial figure, Hoest has shocked and awed many in the metal world during live performances (as in this photo; click HERE to view the NSFW), and took a lot of flack for performing a show in Germany with a swastika drawn on his chest in 2007. In Germany, the use of the swastika is forbidden by law, and the remainder of Taake's German concerts were cancelled. Regarding the swastika incident, the singer issued a statement denying all ties to politics or Nazism, only saying the display was meant to be provocative – which it clearly was.


“Taake is not a political Nazi band... everyone should know by now that our whole concept is built upon provocation and anything evil... we truly apologize to all of our collaborators who might get problems because of the Essen swastika scandal." — Hoest

Hoest later explained that he "was taking the piss" and had used the swastika only "as another symbol for evil", saying "the pentagram and inverted cross don't invoke reactions anymore". Music writer Stuart Wain likened Hoest's actions to those of the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie Sioux, who also wore swastikas for shock value.



In January 2008, Hoest wrote;

“I do realize that it is rather unforgivable to display a swastika in Germany, yes. On the other hand I strongly feel that Black Metal bands should allow themselves to use any kind of destructive/negative symbolism, as the basis of this expression is above all: Evil! Black Metal is still not, and should never become, harmless like all other styles of housebroke metal. Frankly, I find it preposterous that we get away with lyrics about murder, torture, rape, necrophilia and suicide, but get boycotted for wearing a symbol (which, by the way, has nothing to do with the band’s concept) on one single occasion. A part of our mission is to invoke negative feelings, so I found it quite appropriate to remind our German audience of their biggest shame.”

Taake were later forced to cancel their planned 2018 US tour after Antifa activists campaigned to stop it, due to the past controversies. Many venues cancelled the shows after being contacted and threatened by Antifa groups. Hoest later replied that "Taake is not a racist band. Never has been, never will be". He said the incident showed how "a small minority of left wing agitators are able to force their agenda on the majority" through "lies, misinformation" and "threats of violence".



Personally, I believe Hoest’s only intent is to be controversial for the sake of the music. While many have taken him literally in the context of his antics, I do not.



Now that you have some understanding of the man at the helm, let us dive into the album...


Along with his antics, Hoest typically makes the fans of Taake wait three years from one release to the next. And, staying true to this traditional wait between albums, Dark Essence/Candlelight Records released Stridens hus worldwide, with the exception of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where the album was released on December 12, 2014. Stridens hus was recorded and produced by Bjornar Nilsen (Vulture Industries) at his Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen. The album artwork was created from a photo by Nekrographie.



As far as the recording of Stridens hus, Hoest included some members of his live band for the process. Insofar as to what extent is not evident. As with most Taake tunes, each one is packed with inventive riffs and fantastic production. The musical exchange between bass, guitar, and the groove of the drums create an unpredictable dynamic (as per usual for Taake). Always intent on inserting eccentric elements from far outside of the scope of black metal (as in the addition of a banjo on the previous album), Stridens hus contains blues-based fundamentals, oddly placed within its structure. As per usual, Hoest’s vocals are grave and intense, spit forth in a lethally noxious display. And, while some were quick to dismiss the release as lacking in “burning passion” or as being “risk-free and dependable”, I believe it is one of Hoest’s finest moments. — E.N. Wells



Touring:

In support of Stridens hus and as a follow up to their successful show in Maryland, Taake announced an East Coast US tour for the first time in their history, to begin in June 2015.


The North American tour, supported by Wolvhammer and Young And In The Way was booked for 13 cities before it was to conclude in Brooklyn on June 26.


The complete list of dates for the original 2015 tour were:

6/14 – Brighton Music Hall, Allston MA

6/15 – Theatre Plaza, Montreal QC

6/16 – Hard Luck, Toronto ON

6/17 – The Loft, Lansing MI

6/18 – The Foundry, Lakewood OH

6/19 – Altar Bar, Pittsburgh PA

6/20 – Cobra Lounge, Chicago IL

6/21 – Riot Room, Kansas City MO

6/22 – Fubar, St. Louis MO

6/23 – Masquerade, Atlanta GA

6/24 – New Mountain, Asheville NC

6/25 – Metro Gallery, Baltimore MD

6/26 – St. Vitus, Brooklyn NY



As is the usual deal with many bands trying to come to North America to tour, Taake had difficulties with their visa’s and the tour was postponed and then ultimately cancelled.



In the autumn of 2015, Taake set out on a fifteen date European tour which saw the band play in Finland, Sweden, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, the UK and the Netherlands.



Three Dark Essence Records label-mates will also joined the lineup – Krakow and Orkan (whose lineup includes Taake guitarist Gjermund) joined for various dates, whilst the 3rd Attempt (the new project from former Carpathian Forest guitarists Tchort and BloodPervertor) made special guest appearances in Paris and London and on the two Spanish dates. Bergen’s Extreme Metallers Dominanz joined the tour for six of the dates. They also did a small run of shows in Colombia and Mexico in late fall/early winter of 2015.



In early 2016, the tour was re-announced by MetalSucks, with a date in Toronto on February 23 added. The lineup for this tour was Taake, Young And In The Way, and Vattnet Viskar (in place of Wolvhammer.


2/20 Brighton Music Hall, Allston MA

2/21 Theatre Plaza, Montreal QC

2/22 Maverick’s, Ottawa, ON

2/23 Hard Luck, Toronto ON

2/24 Altar Bar, Pittsburgh PA

2/25 The Foundry, Lakewood OH

2/26 Reggie’s Chicago, IL

2/27 Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN

2/28 Riot Room, Kansas City MO

2/29 Fubar, St. Louis MO

3/01 Exit / In, Nashville, TN

3/02 Masquerade, Atlanta GA

3/03 Strange Matter, Richmond, VA

3/04 Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD

3/05 St. Vitus, Brooklyn NY



Noteworthy:

Taake also released the EP Kulde through Dark Essence Records around the time of the albums release.



Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells



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