Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir

Polish death metallers Behemoth have been important figures in the Polish extreme metal underground since 1991. No strangers to controversy, the band have been banned in Russia for their alleged Satanic lyrical content. However, following a petition granting a right to free speech, the band are freely allowed to play in their native Poland. Primarily regarded as a death metal outfit, Behemoth also take in Middle-Eastern influences and experiment with multi-layered vocals.

Norwegian symphonic black metal band from Oslo, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means 'dark cities' or 'dark castles/fortresses' in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse.

Formed in 1993, Dark Funeral are Lord Ahriman (guitars), Emperor Magus Caligula (bass & vocals), Dominion (guitars) and Matte Modin (drums). After three albums, their mixture of brutally fast metal and slow, almost mournful pieces mark them out as a band with more variety then most in the black metal scene.