Arckanum was a Swedish black metal solo band formed in 1993 by Johan "Shamaatae" Lahger, who was the only constant member. Arckanum ranks among the most influential and popular in the Swedish black metal scene.

Shamaatae is also an author of occult literature and writes under the names Vexior/Ekortu. His first published work, titled Panparadox, was released 13 July 2009 by Ixaxaar. His second book, , was released in December 2010 by Fall of Man. His third book, called , was published on 21 December 2014; it is said to be a "book series" with each book dedicated to the Thursatru tradition. As of 2018, he has published multiple books and has many more to come. He put the band to rest in favour of being a writer.

History

Shamaatae joined his first band, Conquest, aged eleven, the band later evolving into Grotesque. On leaving Grotesque, Shamaatae formed a technical death metal band called Disinterment, who recorded one demo and played a few gigs before splitting up. He is noted for writing lyrics resembling Old Swedish, and he has stated that he tries to write his lyrics as grammatically correct as he can. In his latest three albums however, the language is clearly meant to resemble Old East Norse.

Discography

Albums

  • Fran marder (15 May 1995) Necropolis Records
  • Kostogher (20 February 1997) Necropolis
  • Kampen (1998) Necropolis
  • Antikosmos (21 June 2008) Debemur Morti/Moribund Records
  • ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ (29 May 2009) Debemur Morti
  • Sviga læ (18 October 2010) Regain Records
  • Helvítismyrkr (16 September 2011) Season of Mist
  • Fenris Kindir (10 May 2013) Season of Mist
  • Den förstfödde (29 September 2017) Folter Records
  • Beswærilsin (2026)

Demos

  • Demo '93 (1993)
  • Trulen (1994)

EPs

  • Boka vm Kaos (Feb. 2002)
  • Kosmos wardhin dræpas om sin / Emptiness Enthralls (Feb. 2003) (split release with Contamino)
  • Kaos svarta mar / Skinning the Lambs (14 June 2004) Carnal (split release with Svartsyn)
  • Grimalkinz skaldi (13 June 2008)
  • Antikosmos (11 April 2008)
  • Hadelik (7 September 2008) (split release with Sataros Grief)
  • Þyrmir (30 October 2009)
  • Första trulen (26 April 2019)

Compilations

  • Arckanum – The 11 Year Anniversary Album (2004)

References

  • Official website (archive)