Hoest

Ørjan Stedjeberg (born 24 September 1977 in Bergen), better known by his stage name Hoest, is a Norwegian musician. He is best known as the founder and songwriter of the black metal band Taake. Hoest is the band's sole member and records most instruments for studio releases. He has released eight studio albums and several EPs with the band. As a frontman, Hoest is known for his energetic live performances. He is also a member of the band Deathcult, the current live vocalist for Gorgoroth, and has previously been a member of Ragnarok and Ravengod.

Career
In 1993, Hoest, then known as Ulvhedin, formed the band Thule together with drummer Svartulv. After the release of two demos, the band changed their name to Taake in 1995, while Ulvhedin adopted the stage name Hoest (Norwegian for "autumn"). Following further demos and the departure of Svartulv, Hoest remained as Taake's sole member and released the debut album Nattestid Ser Porten Vid in 1999, the first release in a trilogy of concept albums linked by the topics of "death, Norway, and the devil in man". Taake's sophmore album, Over Bjoergvin graater himmerik, was released in 2002 and saw the addition of several new band members. In 2005, Taake concluded their trilogy with the album Hordalands doedskvad and went on hiatus due to dissatisfaction with the black metal scene. Hoest served prison sentences for assault in 2006 and 2007.

In March 2007, Hoest appeared on stage at a Taake show in Essen, Germany with a swastika painted on his chest. The incident sparked controversy and caused the band's remaining shows in Germany to be cancelled. Hoest later explained that the act was done to provocate and called it a spontaneous joke done in the spirit of punk. In 2008, Taake's self-titled album was released, with Hoest performing all instruments and vocals. The band's fifth studio album, Noregs vaapen, was released in 2011, featuring several prominent Norwegian black metal artists, including Attila Csihar, Nocturno Culto, Demonaz and Ivar Bjørnson. The album was nominated for the Norwegian Spellemann award in the Metal category. In 2012, Hoest joined Gorgoroth as a live vocalist. Taake released their sixth studio album, Stridens hus, in 2014. The album Kong Vinter was released in 2017, with critics praising Hoest and Taake's longevity. In 2023, Hoest released the band's first studio album in six years, Et Hav av Avstand.

With Taake
Studio albums


 * Nattestid Ser Porten Vid (Night-time sees the gate wide) (1999)
 * Over Bjoergvin graater himmerik (Heaven weeps over Bergen) (2002)
 * Hordalands doedskvad (Death poems of Hordaland) (2005)
 * Taake (2008)
 * Noregs vaapen (Norway's weapon) (2011)
 * Stridens hus (House of strife) (2014)
 * Kong Vinter (King Winter) (2017)
 * Et Hav av Avstand (A Sea of Distance) (2023)

Studio EPs


 * Nekro (2007)
 * Kveld (Evening) (2011)
 * Kulde (Cold) (2014)
 * Baktanker (Ulterior motives) (2017)

Live EPs


 * Svartekunst (Dark arts) (2008)

Compilation albums


 * Helnorsk svartmetall (All-Norwegian black metal) (2005)
 * The Box (2005)
 * Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner (Burial Chambers, Crowns and Thrones) (2013)
 * 7 Fjell (7 Mountains) (2017)
 * Avvik (Deviation) (2021)

With Deathcult
Studio albums


 * Cult Of The Dragon (2007)
 * Cult Of The Goat (2017)

Studio EPs


 * Bestial Recordings (2021)
 * Seven Are They (2024)

With Ragnarok
Studio albums


 * Blackdoor Miracle (2004)

With Ravengod
Studio EPs


 * Ravengod (2017)
 * Ravengod (2017)