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Tidfall started life as Pagan Divinity, a Norwegian black metal group that crafted a sound similar to the grandiose symphonic metal of Emperor. They started in 1992, consisting of the creatively named Abraxas, Zarthon, and Rogon D. Bloodgraat. The trio practiced and occasionally recorded demos, but nothing that traveled outside of the village of Loten, Norway. In 1995, the band added bassist Sorg and keyboardist Aftaneldr to thicken up their sound and give it a moodier base. They officially became Tidfall at this point, a Norwegian term meaning "the fall of time." The following year their first demo, an eponymous effort, hit the trading underground and garnered the band their first offer from a record label. The band was disappointed with the contract, and decided to build their reputation more instead of prematurely grasping at a label deal. In 1998 they recorded the Black Psychotic Darkness demo, their first to include English lyrics. The tapes sold well, and the band was contacted by Samoth of Emperor to sign with his label, Nocturnal Art Productions. Circular Supremacy appeared soon after, a debut album that took eleven stressful days to record in February of 2000. The budget wasn't big enough for a tour, so besides a few Norwegian shows, the band had no international showcase for their talents. They dove into the next album, but the internal strife that popped up during the last album reappeared, driving Rogon D. Bloodgraat from the group. Sorg stepped into the vocalist position and the band trimmed down to a four piece. In March of 2001, Instinct Gate was recorded in a Norwegian studio by the new lineup. Unfortunately, Samoth contacted the band and told them he would no longer have time to dedicate to the label, and that they should seek another method for releasing their album. Nuclear Blast showed interested, so they brought the album over and released it in May of 2002. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide |
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