Seminal Norwegian black metal band Emperor formed in 1991 with bass player and lyricist Mortiis at the helm. Mortiis recorded two acclaimed EPs with the band: Wrath of the Tyrant and Emperor, later compiled as Emperor/Wrath of the Tyrant—but by the time Emperor started work on their debut full length, Mortiis had stepped away to focus on his solo project. 

During his time with Emperor, Mortiis was able to dabble in atmospherics, but it took going solo for him to be able to explore musical interests outside the constraints of Norwegian black metal, still retaining the genre’s visual aesthetics. Influenced by the likes of Tangerine Dream and Vangelis, he set to work creating music entirely with synthesizers, in the process helping create the sub-genre dungeon synth with his groundbreaking album Født til å Herske.

Wyrd War is Portland-based duo Dennis Dread and Meadow. They have been active champions of the strange and horrifically beautiful in art, film, and music in the Rose City for well over a decade. In 2023 they flew Mortiis out to perform Født til ü Herske in its entirety for the first time ever at two sold out shows: Night one at Enchanted Forest, the second at Star Theater. The shows were professionally recorded, mixed, and have now been released as a limited edition double gatefold LP in a run of 500.

Født til å Herske consists of two songs: “Født til å Herske” and “Født til å Herske 2,” (though both are broken up into multiple tracks, or parts, on streaming services) that are largely variations on a theme, with the second version having a more sinister air with the inclusion of occultishly chanted vocals. 

More sinister yes, but know that both songs are dark adventure music. This is music for adventuring through Middle Earth—invoking misty forests, the air growing in density as you push further and further in. Roots and thick spiderwebs (try not to think about the size the spiders must be to weave such thick webs) grabbing at your feet, and then suddenly you break free from the forest, out into the cold night air. The moon full and bright, but offering no relief, casting as much dread as it casts light. A bleak castle sits on the horizon, in the distance you hear dire wolves on the hunt. You brave the castle, go down into its bowels, a dungeon that seems impossibly deep. In the torture chamber you come across some strange ritual being performed. Do you run? Do you fight? Do you join? Then your Dungeon Master asks the Dark Elf of the Woodland Realm sitting next to you to flip the record. 

More often than not, live albums present a version of the music not emblematic of the performance—they largely exist for those who were there, or those who wish they were. The diehard fans. Occasionally there will be a live album that becomes a standout in an artists discography, Live at Folsom Prison and MTV Unplugged in New York come to mind. Live at Enchanted Forest & Live at Star Theater presents the best versions of the material, deserving to become the album’s definitive recording. 

There is a fullness and dynamism to these recordings not immediately perceived on Født til å Herske. Maybe it’s advances in recording and mixing technology, or the 20 years of experience making dark dungeon music guiding Mortiis’ hand during these shows. There’s something inherent about the music that was meant for live performance, and something inherent about these historic venues informing Mortiis’ sets at Enchanted Forest and Star Theater.

The fun of having both shows present on the release is finding the differences between the two. The Enchanted Forest show feels more alive, more of the forest and less of the castle. The music takes on a feel of rustling leaves, chirping insects, or animals just out of sight. There is even a little warmth to it, of resting at a campfire on your adventure. You will succeed, you will rid these lands of the evils that plagues them.

Meanwhile, the Star Theater show is more castle, a steely coldness to it, like moonlight glinting off your sword. You no longer know if it’s bravery that pushes you forward or if fear has locked you on your path. Roll for initiative.

The double gatefold LP Live at Enchanted Forest & Live at Star Theater—pressed in an edition of 500—is out on Portland’s Wyrd War.

Related: Wyrd War is hosting another Mortiis-related event: Fief, Coniferous Myst, and Wraith Knight play Portland’s oldest venue—The Old Church—on Saturday, Sept. 13, more info here.