Mortiis is a Norwegian industrial group fronted by Håvard Ellefsen. For much of his career, Ellefsen, as the stage character (also) named Mortiis would wear an elaborate prosthetic mask and ears evocative of a troll, goblin, or elf. He retired the ensemble after the release of his 2007 remix album, Some Kind of Heroin. The project...More
Mortiis is a Norwegian industrial group fronted by Håvard Ellefsen. For much of his career, Ellefsen, as the stage character (also) named Mortiis would wear an elaborate prosthetic mask and ears evocative of a troll, goblin, or elf. He retired the ensemble after the release of his 2007 remix album, Some Kind of Heroin. The project has been an integral force in the Norwegian Viking Metal scene, creating a singular mythology and drawing on elements of black metal and synth-pop to create what Mortiis himself referred to as "dark dungeon music." Appropriately enough, Dark Dungeon Music was the name of Mortiis' 1995-1999 era limited edition vinyl-only label.
Before becoming Mortiis, Ellefsen launched his musical career as the bassist for the black metal group Emperor. He played with the band for about a year before striking out with a handful of different solo projects, including Mortiis. His first release under the new moniker was 1993's The Song of a Long Forgotten Ghost. By 2001, Mortiis had made a significant sound evolution, moving away from synthesizer-based dark ambient toward a more electropop sound. 2004's The Grudge saw Mortiis evolving into an industrial style group; this is the material he reworked for Some Kind of Heroin. After a four-year hiatus, Mortiis returned with The Great Deceiver. Having left the prosthetics behind, Mortiis continued to possess an iconic look, marked by dreadlocks, face paint, and goth/industrial costuming. His most recent release is 2020's Spirit of Rebellion, a reworking of his 1994 LP Ånden som Gjorde Opprør.
Less
