Troll

Troll is a foundational project in the Norwegian symphonic black metal scene, primarily serving as the creative vehicle for Stian Arnesen (Nagash). Formed in 1992, the project's early work, particularly the 1996 album 'Drep de kristne', is considered a cult classic of the genre, blending the raw aggression of the second wave with prominent, melodic keyboard arrangements.

Nagash's involvement in high-profile acts like Dimmu Borgir and The Kovenant heavily influenced Troll's trajectory, leading to a period of industrial experimentation in the early 2000s with albums like 'The Last Predators' and 'Universal'. These releases traded forest grimness for a cold, mechanical aesthetic characterized by drum machines and sterile synth textures. After a hiatus, the band returned to a more traditional, melodic black metal sound with 'Neo-Satanic Supremacy' in 2010 and 'Trolldom' in 2023. Critically, Troll is viewed as a bridge between the primitive roots of the genre and the more polished, avant-garde, or industrial directions that Norwegian metal took at the turn of the millennium. Their influence is most visible in the 'symphonic' sub-niche where atmosphere and melody take precedence over pure speed.