Mortiis

Norwegian dark ambient musician

Mortiis is the solo project of Håvard Ellefsen, who was originally a member of the Norwegian black metal band Emperor before embarking on his own musical journey. Mortiis started his career in the early 1990s and became known for his distinctive approach to music, which often incorporated elements of dark ambient, industrial, and sometimes even synth-pop. His early work, including albums like "Ånden som Gjorde Opprør" (1994) and "Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent" (1995), is characterized by atmospheric soundscapes that were instrumental and evocative of dark, medieval fantasy themes. These albums are part of what Mortiis referred to as the "Era 1" phase of his career, which was marked by a heavy use of synthesizers and a focus on creating moody ambient music.