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Samoth

Samoth (born Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen; June 9, 1974) is a Norwegian guitarist and multi-instrumentalist renowned for co-founding and performing with the influential black metal band Emperor. As a key figure in the early Norwegian black metal scene, he contributed guitar riffs, drumming on initial recordings, and songwriting to Emperor's foundational works, including the genre-defining album In the Nightside Eclipse (1994). His technical style, featuring dissonant chords and rapid tremolo picking, helped shape symphonic black metal's sound. In 1994, Samoth was convicted of arson for participating in the burning of Skjold Church alongside Varg Vikernes, resulting in a 16-month prison sentence that interrupted Emperor's early momentum. Despite this, he resumed activities post-release, co-forming the death metal band Zyklon with Emperor drummer Trym and later leading The Wretched End, a thrash-influenced extreme metal project. These endeavors underscore his enduring role in extreme metal, blending black, death, and thrash elements across decades.

Early Life

Upbringing and Initial Influences

Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen, professionally known as Samoth, was born on June 9, 1974, in , . He spent his formative years in the rural village of Akkerhaugen, a small community that limited his early exposure to peers sharing his musical interests. Haugen's entry into music stemmed from his family background, as his father, Jens Haugen, performed in the band Spoonful of Blues and actively promoted musical pursuits by encouraging his son to take up the instrument. Haugen began on in line with this guidance but transitioned to guitar amid a scarcity of local musicians drawn to death and styles during his teenage years. Around age 13, Haugen encountered Vegard Tveitan—later known as —at a local rock clinic, sparking a partnership that led to their first joint musical projects. These initial endeavors drew from classic acts, with Haugen citing an intense early fixation on W.A.S.P., alongside broader inspirations from thrash, death, and pioneering bands such as , Bathory, , and .

Musical Career

Formation and Role in Emperor

Emperor, a Norwegian symphonic black metal band, was co-founded by Samoth (Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen) and Ihsahn (Vegard Sverre Tveitan) in 1991 in Notodden, Telemark. The duo, who had previously collaborated in the death metal band Thou Shalt Suffer, sought to create music emphasizing atmospheric and aggressive elements characteristic of the emerging second wave of black metal. Early rehearsals and demos, such as the 1992 Hordanes Land and Wrath of the Tyrant, laid the groundwork for the band's symphonic style, blending raw black metal with orchestral influences. Samoth initially performed on Emperor's earliest recordings from 1991 to 1992, transitioning to thereafter, a he maintained through the band's active periods until 2001 and in reunions from 2005 onward. His contributions included crafting intricate guitar riffs that complemented Ihsahn's lead work, as evident in the debut album released on 15 February 1994 by Candlelight Records. Samoth's guitar tone and riffing style, often employing fast picking and dissonant harmonies, became hallmarks of Emperor's sound, influencing subsequent acts. During lineup changes, including the addition of bassist and drummer , Samoth remained a creative , co-writing key tracks and participating in decisions.

Contributions to Other Bands and Projects

Samoth co-founded the blackened death metal band in 1998 with drummer , recruiting additional members from the band Myrkskog to form a core lineup focused on aggressive, technical riffs and blast-beat driven compositions distinct from Emperor's symphonic style. The project served as an outlet for live performances during Emperor's touring hiatus and released the EP Storm Det Gudommelige Riket in 1999, followed by full-length albums World ov Pain (2001), Æsop (2003), and Disintegrate (2006), with Samoth handling guitar duties throughout. Zyklon went on indefinite hold in 2007 and officially disbanded in January 2010, as announced by Samoth, amid shifting priorities toward other endeavors. In 2005, Samoth participated in the short-lived supergroup , a black metal-influenced outfit assembled by American vocalist () and featuring ex-Emperor drummer alongside Norwegian bassist Cosmocrator (Mindgrinder). The band recorded and released the album Gospels for the Sick on October 4, 2005, via , blending punk's raw energy with 's ferocity through Samoth's guitar contributions and guest spots from artists like Darkthrone's . Intended as a one-off emphasizing "black metal with a real attitude," disbanded after the release without further output. Samoth later described it as an external initiative driven by Chaos rather than a core personal project. Samoth launched The Wretched End in 2008 as a creative partnership with Cosmocrator (credited as Cosmo), building on their prior work in to explore thrash-infused with themes of and nature's brutality. The duo handled guitar and bass respectively, recruiting session vocalists and drummers for the debut album Ominous, released on November 15, 2010, via Candlelight Records, which featured tracks like "The Armageddonist" emphasizing rhythmic heaviness over Emperor's atmospheric elements. Subsequent releases included Inroads (2012) and In These Woods, From These Mountains (May 2016), the latter incorporating guest vocals from () and Einar Solberg () to enhance its blackened thrash sound. Samoth cited classic metal influences from his youth as foundational to the band's unyielding aggression. Earlier in his career, Samoth made session contributions to other Norwegian acts, including bass and guitar on Satyricon's debut album (1994) and guitar on Arcturus's Constellation EP (1994), aiding the raw, second-wave sound of both during the early scene. He also provided bass for Gorgoroth's early recordings around the same period. Additionally, Samoth contributed viola, battle drums, and contrabass to pagan folk project Hagalaz' Runedance's single When the Trees Were Silenced (1996) and album The Winds That Sang of Midgard's Fate (1998), adding martial percussion to its ambiance. These appearances reflect Samoth's versatility across extreme genres while maintaining ties to Norway's underground metal ecosystem.

Evolution of Style and Collaborations

Samoth's guitar style in Emperor initially emphasized raw aggression and atmospheric depth, as heard on In the Nightside Eclipse (1994), where he delivered low, buzz-saw rhythm tones enhanced by reverb and delay effects to create a floating, immersive quality contrasting Ihsahn's higher-pitched leads. By Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (1997), influenced by Morbid Angel's brutality, his approach shifted to heavier, clearer tones with reduced reverb, incorporating more intricate and technical riffs that demanded precise rehearsal for execution. This evolution reflected broader band maturation, with Samoth noting that as members gained life experience, their sound became more balanced while continuously integrating new elements. Further progression appeared on (1999), featuring catchier, live-oriented riffs suited to touring, achieved via Marshall stacks and a Jackson U.S. Custom guitar, leaning into progressive death metal structures. On Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise (2001), Samoth's role diminished to additional guitars amid his Zyklon commitments, as Ihsahn incorporated fugues and classical theory for a more bent. Throughout, Samoth prioritized feel and groove over formal technique, drawing from early influences like and Metallica, though his playing grew in confidence and technical demand over two decades. Post-Emperor, collaborations highlighted stylistic shifts toward death and thrash metal. In Zyklon, formed around 1995 and debuting with World ov Worms (2001), Samoth fused death metal aggression with black metal roots and industrial edges, moving away from symphonic atmospheres. The Wretched End, a 2008 project with Mindgrinder's Cosmo—building on their prior Scum deathpunk collaboration (Gospels for the Sick, 2005)—delivered thrash-infused extremity on Ominous (2010), emphasizing endurance-heavy riffs akin to Slayer homages while blending Emperor's eerie darkness with Zyklon's brutality. Samoth described these outlets as heart-driven extensions of his core influences, adapting Emperor's foundational groove to more straightforward, rhythmic aggression without abandoning extremity. Early contributions, such as guitar on Arcturus's Constellation demo (1994), underscored his versatility in experimental black metal circles. Ongoing Emperor performances, including 2025 festival appearances, sustain his symphonic black metal legacy alongside reunion collaborations.

Controversies and Legal Matters

Arson Conviction and Black Metal Scene Involvement

In early 1993, Tomas Haugen, known professionally as Samoth, participated in the arson of Skjold Church in Vindafjord, , alongside of the band . The fire, set during a break-in, destroyed the wooden structure, which dated to 1840. Samoth pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted in 1994, receiving a sentence of 16 months in for . He served the full term, during which Emperor's early demo recordings were impacted, though the band continued limited activities. This incident tied Samoth to the early scene's pattern of church arsons between 1992 and 1994, where over a dozen attacks targeted Christian sites as acts of ideological opposition, often framed by participants as anti-Christian or pagan revivalism. Samoth, a founding of formed in 1991, frequented Oslo's Helvete record shop—run by Mayhem's —as a hub for the "inner circle" of musicians including Vikernes and Emperor drummer Bård "" Eithun, who was separately convicted for the 1992 arson of Åsane Church. Emperor's association with these events stemmed from its raw, second-wave sound and lyrics evoking and , aligning with the scene's rejection of , though bandmate later described the arsons as youthful rather than coordinated . The convictions drew international scrutiny, amplifying black metal's notoriety but also leading to its commercialization post-release.

Broader Associations and Media Portrayals

Samoth's associations extend beyond to the core network of the , known informally as the "Black Metal Inner Circle" or "Black Circle," a loose affiliation of musicians centered around Oslo's Helvete owned by Øystein "" Aarseth. As a teenager, Samoth sought Euronymous's approval to establish as a legitimate act within this gatekept group, which included figures like of and Bård "" Eithun, emphasizing shared anti-establishment and anti-Christian aesthetics over formal organization. This circle fostered collaborations and ideological alignment, with Samoth contributing guitars to early demos alongside members from the same milieu, reflecting interconnected personnel across bands like Immortal and . Ideologically, Samoth and Emperor aligned with the scene's broader rejection of Christianity in favor of Norse pagan and Viking revivalism, viewing church arsons as symbolic acts against cultural suppression rather than indiscriminate destruction, though such rationalizations have been contested by authorities and later scene reflections. In 1995 interviews, Samoth and described evolving from Satanic imagery toward "viking/pagan/dark/barbaric" themes, prioritizing atmospheric barbarism over explicit occultism, a shift echoed in Emperor's lyrics invoking ancient forces and northern . This pagan orientation distinguished core inner circle acts from later variants, focusing on pre-Christian heritage reclamation amid Norway's Lutheran dominance. Media portrayals of Samoth have oscillated between sensationalism and reevaluation. Early coverage, amplified by arsons and murders, depicted him and the inner circle as a satanic threatening societal order, with outlets framing as a youth-driven of that ignored musical intent. The 2008 documentary offered a counter-narrative through scene interviews, including deleted footage with Samoth, portraying participants as alienated artists rebelling against rather than inherent evil, critiquing media exaggeration of over pagan or nihilistic roots. Later , such as 2011 profiles, casts Samoth as a "founding father" whose technical prowess and persistence post-incarceration elevated 's legitimacy, shifting focus from scandal to enduring influence despite persistent associations with the scene's turbulent origins. Mainstream accounts often overlook this nuance, perpetuating stereotypes, while specialized outlets highlight his evolution into projects like and The Wretched End as evidence of maturation beyond early extremism.

Personal Life and Ideology

Family and Private Life

Samoth, whose real name is Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen, has maintained a relatively private away from his musical endeavors. He was first married to Andrea Meyer, a recording , , , and model known professionally as Nebelhexë, who contributed vocals to Cradle of Filth's 1994 EP Invoking the Unclean. The couple, who divorced prior to 2005, shared a daughter named Alva. Meyer resided in , , at the time of her death on October 13, 2021, during a bow-and-arrow attack by a local man that claimed five lives; Haugen's family confirmed her passing and noted her lasting impact as a mother. Haugen remarried Canadian-born Erin Haugen, with whom he has a second daughter, Lily, born on April 23, 2008, weighing approximately 10 pounds at birth; the family reported all were healthy following the delivery. The couple has resided primarily in Norway, where Haugen balances his professional commitments with fatherhood, as he has referenced in interviews the challenges of maintaining family stability amid a touring career in extreme metal. Little additional detail on his extended family or daily routines is publicly available, reflecting his preference for discretion outside of music-related disclosures; he operates Nocturnal Art Productions, a record label, as a personal business venture.

Philosophical and Cultural Views

Samoth pursued part-time studies in prior to 2006, reflecting a personal engagement with the subject amid his musical career. His cultural perspectives center on a profound affinity for landscapes, which he has identified as a core influence on Emperor's atmospheric and thematic elements, emphasizing "the power of nature" through "vast forests and mighty mountains." This connection extends to his lifestyle, residing remotely from urban areas and working as a for an outdoor apparel company, underscoring a preference for natural immersion over modern societal norms. Samoth has credited J.R.R. Tolkien's with shaping Emperor's visual and escapist aesthetics, particularly for the 1994 album , describing the influence as "all very visual" and predating Tolkien's commercial ubiquity by a decade. This draws from broader tendencies to evoke mythic, pre-Christian Norse-inspired realms blended with fantasy, fostering an ideological rejection of contemporary . In early interviews representing Emperor's collective stance, Samoth aligned with views framing as a spiritual pursuit rather than political activism, while explicitly rejecting affiliations with ideologies like , stating such symbols held no personal appeal. Bandmate , with whom Samoth co-founded , articulated a satanic framework as emotionally cathartic and reconstructive post-destruction, aimed at preserving distinct cultural heritages threatened by Christianity's historical dominance. These positions critiqued religious imposition without endorsing overt . Reflecting on his 1992 arson conviction tied to anti-Christian sentiments in the black metal scene, Samoth has since minimized its relevance, viewing it as disconnected from his mature identity and seldom revisiting the episode. This evolution prioritizes individual artistic continuity over ideological militancy.

Technical Aspects and Influence

Guitar Work and Production Techniques

Samoth's guitar work in emphasized aggressive, riff-driven compositions characterized by rapid picking of minor chords and dissonant structures, often layered to create atmospheric depth over blast beats. His style incorporated heavy palm muting and chugging patterns, drawing from influences like Sepultura's groove-oriented aggression and Bathory's raw intensity, to push beyond standard extremity. Samoth frequently played lower-register riffs, employing downstrokes and for stamina and precision, which complemented Ihsahn's higher-pitched melodies built on 7ths and 9ths, evoking an orchestral string-like quality. In production, Samoth co-helmed Emperor's early recordings, including the 1994 debut In the Nightside Eclipse, utilizing primitive setups with excessive reverb and delay to achieve a raw, floating "buzz-saw" tone that prioritized atmosphere over clarity, though this sometimes obscured individual elements. The album was produced by the band alongside engineer Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin at Hellsound Studios, marking a shift toward symphonic black metal's layered sound. By Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (1997), Samoth contributed to refining these techniques, reducing reverb for a heavier, more defined brutality akin to Morbid Angel, while incorporating four-track demos exchanged during his incarceration to develop riffs collaboratively. His approach extended dissonant chord progressions and arpeggios beyond power chords, fostering a technically demanding style that integrated brutality with 's tremolo speed, influencing Emperor's evolution from raw second-wave to progressive symphonics. Samoth later reflected on prioritizing over virtuosic solos, blending his death-influenced aggression with atmospheric keyboards for epic scope. In projects like , he adapted similar riffing to industrial-tinged , maintaining and muting emphases but with cleaner production for mid-2000s releases.

Impact on Black and Extreme Metal Genres

Samoth's contributions to black metal primarily occurred through , the band he co-founded in 1991 with , which elevated the genre by incorporating symphonic elements into its raw aesthetic. Albums such as (1994) and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (1997) fused tremolo-picked guitar riffs with orchestral keyboards, establishing a blueprint for that emphasized epic scale and atmospheric depth over primitive aggression. This approach, driven by Samoth's riffing and compositional input, influenced bands seeking to expand black metal's sonic palette, as noted in analyses of 's role in genre evolution. His guitar techniques, including dissonant chord progressions and rapid picking, became referential in , providing a template for conveying desolation and majesty that subsequent acts adopted in their arrangements. Emperor's international success, particularly post-1994, positioned Samoth as a key architect of black metal's transition from underground to a more structured, exportable form, with the band's layered production—co-engineered by Samoth—enhancing clarity and integration. Beyond , Samoth extended his influence into via , formed in 1998 with Emperor drummer Trym. Zyklon's debut World ov Worms (2001) merged death metal's technical brutality with black metal's frostbitten timbre, through Samoth's grinding riffs and groove-oriented structures, contributing to the hybrid subgenre's development amid the early 2000s landscape. Projects like The Wretched End (2007 onward) further diversified his output, blending black, death, and thrash elements in a manner that preserved 's intensity while prioritizing varied dynamics, as Samoth described in discussions of his post- work. These efforts collectively reinforced Samoth's status as a pivotal figure in broadening 's stylistic boundaries.

Equipment and Endorsements

Signature Gear and Setup

Samoth primarily employs Eclipse guitars in his live and recording setups, including the Vintage Black model observed during Emperor's performance at in 2014. He has also utilized the Standard Series M-I NTB for projects with his band Wretched End. Additionally, Samoth endorses and plays models, such as the EC-Black Metal variant featuring a single Black Winter in a blackened satin finish, reflecting his preference for dark, aggressive aesthetics suited to tonality. In 2023, he was noted using the E-II SN-III, marking it as an early adoption among artists. For amplification, Samoth relies on Peavey heads, with the 6505+ serving as a staple in live settings, as confirmed during the 2014 Wacken appearance. He has held an endorsement with Peavey since at least the mid-2010s, favoring the 6505 for its high-gain capabilities after transitioning from earlier models like the Peavey Bandit 112 and Engl amplifiers. In Emperor's formative recordings, such as those for , he paired directly with Peavey amps, incorporating minimal effects like the Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion pedal for primitive, raw distortion without extensive processing. Samoth's overall rig emphasizes simplicity and direct signal paths to achieve the band's signature atmospheric tone, often bypassing pedals in favor of amplifier-driven gain and natural overdrive, a approach consistent from early albums onward. This setup prioritizes reliability and tonal purity over complexity, aligning with his endorsements from / for guitars and Peavey for amplification.

Brand Affiliations

Samoth has maintained an exclusive endorsement with since at least 2009, utilizing their high-end models for live and studio work. During 's tours in that period, he primarily employed the ESP Eclipse alongside LTD series instruments such as the EX-400BD and V-500, highlighting the brand's suitability for tones. ESP lists him among its signature artists, underscoring a long-term professional affiliation. In interviews, Samoth has expressed strong preference for ESP, describing it as the optimal choice for metal guitarists due to its construction and playability. No signature model bearing his name has been produced, though his gear selections align with ESP's and Explorer designs favored in . For amplification, Samoth incorporates Peavey 6505+ tube heads, known for their high-gain capabilities essential to his riffing style. This setup reflects practical endorsements focused on reliability in aggressive genres, without broader commercial sponsorships evident in public records. No affiliations with apparel, effects pedals, or other peripheral brands have been documented in verified sources.

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