Hailing from Sweden, Dark Funeral was formed in 1993 by Lord Ahriman and Blackmoon (David Parland). They later joined forces with Draugen and Themgoroth and eventually recorded, in 1994, their self-titled (and self-financed) debut album at Uni-Sound studio: they released it on the 4th of May, the date where the band also played their very first gig. After the release Draugen (drums) left the band and was replaced by Equimanthorn. Shortly after the band was signed to No Fashion Records and started working on their first full-length.
In 1995, they decided to switch to Abyss Studio, because of unsatisfied results at Uni-Sound studios. The producer was the famous Peter TÃĪgtgren (Hypocrisy). Shortly after the band also played their first festival gig, "Under the Black Sun I" in Berlin.
...but before they embarked on their own tour, Emperor Magus Caligula (Masse Broberg, the original vocalist of Hypocrisy) joined the band as vocalist and became a permanent member. They also recorded a video for the track "The Secrets of the Black Arts".
In 1996, Dark Funeral finally released their full-length, "The Secrets of the Black Arts" which received very postive criticism and enabled the band to get deals with Metal Blade Records (North America) and Mystic Production (Poland). Following the contracts the band suffered a huge loss as vocalist Themgoroth and drummer Equimanthorn left the band along with co-founding member Blackmoon. But Dark Funeral came back even more powerful and aggressive than before. Together with Necromass the band does the "Satanic War Tour I" throughout Europe. During 1996, the band also recorded two Bathory covers, "Call From the Grave" and "Equimanthorn" for the Bathory tribute, "In Conspiracy With Satan".
In 1997, the band played the second part of "Satanic War Tour" along with Ancient (2) and Bal-Sagoth as support. Same year the band also played in America for the first time at the festival "Expo of the Extreme". They also joined "The American Satanic Crusade Tour" with Usurper (2) as support. They returned to Sweden and recorded the album "Vobiscum Satanas".
In 1998, Dark Funeral played at the "The Ineffable Kings of Darkness" Tour with Enthroned and Liar of Golgotha. Dominion (8), joined as session bass player. The band also did their second major festival appearance at the Swedish "Hultsfred"s festival. After a long and hard tour, Typhos is kicked out and Dominion is taken on as the bands second guitarist and Emperor Magus Caligula took over bass. Before the "Bleed for Satan" tour, Alzazmon (drums) left and the band's long time friend Gaahnfaust replaced him.
1999 is another tour year. They joined the "Black Plague Across the West" tour, which took place in Mexico and America. Afterwards they also embarked on their longest and most successful European tour, "The Satanic Inquisition" together with Dimmu Borgir.
In 2000 they released the EP, "Teach the Children to Worship Satan", recorded at the Abyss studio. The EP also featured a live video for the track "An Apprentice of Satan" and covers from Slayer, Mayhem, Sodom and King Diamond. Again, the band took part in another tour. They joined Deicide, Immortal and Cannibal Corpse for the "No Mercy" festivals. Gaahnfaus left the band, but Matte Modin (Defleshed) took his place and became a permanent member. He made his debut at the "With Full Force" festival, followed by an appearance at the famous "Wacken Open Air" festival. Later the same year the band decided to re-release their first EP with new artwork and photos.
In 2001, they once again entered Abyss Studio to record the masterpiece known as "Diabolis Interium". The album really showed who the band was and gave them even more fame than the previous works did. "Under the Wings of Hell" split EP, with Swedisn Infernal (5), came in 2002 and in 2004 the live album "De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine" was released.
In 1995, they decided to switch to Abyss Studio, because of unsatisfied results at Uni-Sound studios. The producer was the famous Peter TÃĪgtgren (Hypocrisy). Shortly after the band also played their first festival gig, "Under the Black Sun I" in Berlin.
...but before they embarked on their own tour, Emperor Magus Caligula (Masse Broberg, the original vocalist of Hypocrisy) joined the band as vocalist and became a permanent member. They also recorded a video for the track "The Secrets of the Black Arts".
In 1996, Dark Funeral finally released their full-length, "The Secrets of the Black Arts" which received very postive criticism and enabled the band to get deals with Metal Blade Records (North America) and Mystic Production (Poland). Following the contracts the band suffered a huge loss as vocalist Themgoroth and drummer Equimanthorn left the band along with co-founding member Blackmoon. But Dark Funeral came back even more powerful and aggressive than before. Together with Necromass the band does the "Satanic War Tour I" throughout Europe. During 1996, the band also recorded two Bathory covers, "Call From the Grave" and "Equimanthorn" for the Bathory tribute, "In Conspiracy With Satan".
In 1997, the band played the second part of "Satanic War Tour" along with Ancient (2) and Bal-Sagoth as support. Same year the band also played in America for the first time at the festival "Expo of the Extreme". They also joined "The American Satanic Crusade Tour" with Usurper (2) as support. They returned to Sweden and recorded the album "Vobiscum Satanas".
In 1998, Dark Funeral played at the "The Ineffable Kings of Darkness" Tour with Enthroned and Liar of Golgotha. Dominion (8), joined as session bass player. The band also did their second major festival appearance at the Swedish "Hultsfred"s festival. After a long and hard tour, Typhos is kicked out and Dominion is taken on as the bands second guitarist and Emperor Magus Caligula took over bass. Before the "Bleed for Satan" tour, Alzazmon (drums) left and the band's long time friend Gaahnfaust replaced him.
1999 is another tour year. They joined the "Black Plague Across the West" tour, which took place in Mexico and America. Afterwards they also embarked on their longest and most successful European tour, "The Satanic Inquisition" together with Dimmu Borgir.
In 2000 they released the EP, "Teach the Children to Worship Satan", recorded at the Abyss studio. The EP also featured a live video for the track "An Apprentice of Satan" and covers from Slayer, Mayhem, Sodom and King Diamond. Again, the band took part in another tour. They joined Deicide, Immortal and Cannibal Corpse for the "No Mercy" festivals. Gaahnfaus left the band, but Matte Modin (Defleshed) took his place and became a permanent member. He made his debut at the "With Full Force" festival, followed by an appearance at the famous "Wacken Open Air" festival. Later the same year the band decided to re-release their first EP with new artwork and photos.
In 2001, they once again entered Abyss Studio to record the masterpiece known as "Diabolis Interium". The album really showed who the band was and gave them even more fame than the previous works did. "Under the Wings of Hell" split EP, with Swedisn Infernal (5), came in 2002 and in 2004 the live album "De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine" was released.