Fenriz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gylve Fenris Nagell
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Fenriz in 2005
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leif Nagell |
| Also known as | Fenriz |
| Born | 28 November 1971 |
| Origin | Kolbotn, Norway |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Drums, guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, synthesizer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Associated acts | Darkthrone, Isengard, Neptune Towers, Valhall, Storm, Dødheimsgard |
Gylve Fenris Nagell (born Leif Nagell on November 28, 1971), who is known by his stage name Fenriz, is a musician from Norway. He is most famous for being one half of the black metal band Darkthrone, along with his bandmate Nocturno Culto.
Fenriz is a multi-talented musician. He mainly plays drums and writes songs, but he has also played bass, guitar, and has sung for Darkthrone and other bands. He is known for his deep knowledge of metal music and for supporting new, lesser-known bands. He prefers to make music with a do-it-yourself spirit and stays away from the celebrity side of the music industry.
Besides Darkthrone, Fenriz has had several solo projects. These include the folk black metal project Isengard and the dark ambient project Neptune Towers.
Contents
Life and Music Career
Fenriz's love for heavy metal music began when he was a child. His uncle gave him the album Sweet Freedom by the band Uriah Heep for his birthday. When he was 16, he left school to focus on his music.
The Start of Darkthrone
In 1986, Fenriz helped start a death metal band called Black Death. By 1988, Ted Skjellum (who would later be known as Nocturno Culto) joined them, and they changed their name to Darkthrone.
Their first album in 1991 was in the death metal style. After that, the band changed its sound and became a key part of the early Norwegian black metal scene. Fenriz said he became interested in the "dark" sound of black metal after hearing the Hungarian band Tormentor.
Darkthrone's second album, A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992), is considered very important in the history of black metal. During this time, some bands in the scene were involved in negative activities, but Fenriz and Darkthrone did not take part.
A Two-Person Band
Since 1993, Darkthrone has just been Fenriz and Nocturno Culto. On the albums Transilvanian Hunger (1994) and Panzerfaust (1995), Fenriz played all the instruments himself.
Fenriz and Nocturno Culto decided in the 1990s that they would not play live concerts. In 2004, they were nominated for a Norwegian music award but turned it down. Fenriz explained, "we have no interest in being part of the glitter and showbiz side of the music industry."
Life Outside of Music
Fenriz is known for his passion for finding and sharing new music. He has been called a "walking metal encyclopedia." He hosts an online radio show called "Radio Fenriz" and used to run a blog to promote new bands.
For many years, Fenriz has also worked part-time for the postal service. He says this job gives him lots of time to listen to new music while he works. He has also appeared on a Norwegian TV show about hiking in the forest.
A Surprise Political Role
In 2016, Fenriz was elected to his local town council in Oppegård, Norway. He was chosen as a backup member for a four-year term. He had agreed to be on a list of candidates, thinking he was too far down the list to be elected.
For his "campaign," he shared a photo of himself holding his cat with the funny caption, "Please Don't Vote For Me." He explained that he would only have to attend meetings if one of the main council members was unable to go.
Musical Projects
Fenriz has been involved in many bands and projects over the years.
- Darkthrone — drums, guitar, bass, vocals, lyrics (1986–present)
- Valhall — drums (1987–1989, 1993–?, 2007–present)
- Isengard — a solo project where he played everything (1989–1995)
- Neptune Towers – a solo project where he played everything (1993–1995)
- Dødheimsgard — bass and vocals (1994–1995)
- Storm — drums and vocals (1995)
- Coffin Storm - vocals (2024-present)
See also
In Spanish: Fenriz para niños
