Aeternus is a Norwegian blackened death metal band formed in 1993 in Bergen, Norway. The group was established by the vocalist and guitarist Ronny Hovland (known as Ares) and the drummer Erik Heggernes (known as Vrolok). Their debut recording, the demo Walk My Path (1994), featured Ares on all instruments except drums. In 1995, they released the EP Dark Sorcery. The bassist and keyboardist Nicola Trier (known as Morrigan) joined the ensemble in 1996, forming the trio that recorded the band's first two albums. Morrigan also created the group's raven and axe logo.The band signed with Hammerheart Records and released the debut album, Beyond the Wandering Moon (1997). They performed on a European tour with the black metal bands Emperor and Limbonic Art in 1997 to support the release. Their recordings include the album ...And So the Night Became (1998), which was followed by a tour as a support act for Deicide. While the group initially described their style as “dark metal”, their sound began to transition from black metal toward death metal influences on the recordings Shadows of Old (1999) and Ascension of Terror (2001).In 1999, the ensemble toured with Red Harvest as a support act for Mayhem. Following the departure of Morrigan in 2001, the bassist V'gandr joined the group. Their discography includes the album A Darker Monument (2003) and the recording HeXaeon (2006), by which time the transition to a death metal sound was complete. After a period of inactivity, the band resumed activity in 2013 with a lineup featuring Ares, the drummer Phobos, and the bassist Eld. Their recordings include the albums ...And the Seventh His Soul Detesteth (2013) and Heathen (2018). Subsequent releases include the album Philosopher (2023).
