Mortiis

Håvard Ellefsen, better known as Mortiis, has been a vital force in the genesis of Norway's epic Viking metal sound, moving through multiple eras and incorporating different subgenres and narratives. As the original bassist of Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor, Mortiis stimulated the group's interest in blending furiously chaotic black metal with haunting synthesizer melodies often based loosely on Norwegian folk. Originating in the early '90s as a largely electronics-driven solo project, Mortiis eventually morphed into a band. Mid- to late-career outings like 2001's Smel...