666 Shades of Black - The History of Norwegian Black Metal BOOK (PREORDER)

NB! This is a preorder item - Expected in April/ May 2026 or later - read the information below. (Add some extra patience when ordering (and please avoid ordering it together with other items as we do not know 100% if this will be in stock in April, May or June). The project is finally happening and it's been a demand for an English version of this one ever since the Norwegian-written book was released.)

From the publisher:

In the spring of 2026, we will release the limited edition of 666 Shades of Black - which is the long requested English edition of Nyanser av Svart, the History of Norwegian Black Metal.

Pre-sale of 666 Shades of black was opened on December 29th, 2024. Due to circumstances no to be disclosed there is delay but we are getting there. 250 pages, Hardback, Cover art by Jannicke Wiese-Hansen and hi-quality print of Paal Audestad photos (see some examples here).

These 666 copies signed by Harald Fossberg was planned be released during Inferno Metal Festival 2025. This plan was abandoned due to circumstances not to be disclosed. 

New release date: During Tons of Rock in June 2026 - or hopefully earlier

Again: Be patient as printing will happen May 2025... August 2025... now March 2026, the earliest. LAST AND FINAL UPDATE: End April / Mid May 2026.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Norway in the late 1980s: Teenagers began playing extreme metal, inspired by role-playing games and horror movies. Through letter writing and exchanging homemade cassettes and fanzines, the scene received further nourishment, and loners in small towns across Norway found inspiration and acceptance in the worldwide underground for their first, tentative attempts. By the time the Lillehammer Olympics took place in 1994, Norwegian black metal had become world-famous – and infamous. Since then, the once frowned-upon and hated genre has become respectable – and a national treasure. Go back to the roots and get to know the history, told by some of the most influential artists within what is now called True Norwegian Black Metal.

HÆRVERK FORLAG 2026