One of the many bands involving multi-instrumentalist Carl-Michael Elde, Norway's Ved Buens Ende (whose name roughly translates to "beyond the bow" or "beyond the rainbow") were an experimental black metal band whose sound remains heavily distinct and unusual years after their last recording. Their style blended aspects of so-called post-rock (especially in terms of the guitar playing) together with eerie crooning vocals and jazz-influenced drumming and ba** playing, resulting in a sound that was as much subdued and ... Show more...

One of the many bands involving multi-instrumentalist Carl-Michael Elde, Norway's Ved Buens Ende (whose name roughly translates to "beyond the bow" or "beyond the rainbow") were an experimental black metal band whose sound remains heavily distinct and unusual years after their last recording. Their style blended aspects of so-called post-rock (especially in terms of the guitar playing) together with eerie crooning vocals and jazz-influenced drumming and ba** playing, resulting in a sound that was as much subdued and mysterious as it was aggressive or forceful. Along with drummer/lead vocalist Elde -- who has also gone by the name Czral and played in the groups Dodheimsgard, Aura Noir, Cadaver Inc., and Virus, among others -- the group's lineup included guitarist Vicotnik (aka Aggressor and Mr. Fixit and, at one time or another, also a member of Dodheimsgard and Aura Noir) as well as ba**ist Skoll (aka Hugh Stephen James Mingay, also of Ulver and Arcturus). Following a demo, entitled Those Who Caress the Pale, Ved Buens Ende signed to the British Misanthropy label, on which they released their first (and only) full-length album, Written in Waters, in 1995. Those Who Caress the Pale was later released in 1997 with a couple of bonus tracks added on. However, despite rumors circulating in the late '90s that the group would get back together to record another album, nothing ever materialized (perhaps because the musicians were so busy with their other projects). By the early 2000s, Elde had announced the formation of a new band, Virus, which he said would mark a continuation of his work with Ved Buens Ende. ~ William York, All Music Guide