Recorded in November and December 1993. Vocals added in 1994.
Fenriz handled all instruments on this album, as confirmed in at least two interviews.
First press 1994 (VILE 43 CD): VILE 43 written on the disc, no
Music for Nations logo on the back cover
Second press 1994 (CDVILE 43): no VILE 43 written on the disc,
Peaceville Records logo on the back cover.
Both have the infamous phrase 'Norsk Arisk Black Metal' (Norwegian Aryan Black Metal).
US-pressing (1994) by Peaceville / Fierce Recordings.
The last 4 tracks feature lyrics by
Varg Vikernes.
The person on the cover is
Fenriz.
Some pressings have the phrase 'Norsk Arisk Black Metal' (Norwegian Aryan Black Metal), but due to the negative response of many distributors around the world, that phrase was replaced by "True Norwegian Black Metal" in later pressings.
Reissued and remastered in 2003 as a digipak featuring a video interview clip.
Digitally remastered at Transfermation.
Unofficial English translations:
2. Over Mountains and Through Thorns
3. Scald of Satan's Sun
4. The Castle in the Distance
5. Tombs in the Misty Halls
6. In a Hall With Meat and Mead
8. An Ás* in the Deep Woods
* Norse deity.
12" LP re-released by
Peaceville Records in 2011. This edition is presented on 180gram black vinyl, with heavyweight sleeve & is limited to 2000 copies. Includes the more politically correct phrase "True Norwegian Black Metal" on the back cover. Audio is taken from the 2003 remaster. Information regarding the audio being taken from the 2003 remaster is printed on the inner sleeve. It is not mentioned on the
Peaceville Records site.