Editing Dark Funeral (section)

===''Dark Funeral EP'' and ''The Secrets of the Black Arts'' ===
In 1993, guitarists [[David Parland]], also known as Blackmoon, and Mikael Svanberg, also known as Lord Ahriman, established Dark Funeral, recruiting Paul Mäkitalo, also known as Themgoroth, formerly of the band [[Amon Amarth|Scum]], as bassist and vocalist, and Joel Andersson, also known as Draugen, shortly thereafter. In January 1994, Dark Funeral recorded their [[Dark Funeral (EP)|self-titled EP]] at [[Unisound Studio]] with [[Dan Swanö]] of [[Edge of Sanity]] fame as producer, subsequently being released on 4 May, 1994. That same day, Dark Funeral  performed their first gig at Lusa Lottes Pub in [[Oslo]], Norway, alongside bands such as fellow live debutees [[Gorgoroth]], and [[Marduk (band)|Marduk]], who were also performing their first show abroad. Draugen departed Dark Funeral following the EP's recording, being replaced by Equimanthorn.

In 1995, Dark Funeral signed with [[No Fashion Records]], subsequently composing songs in anticipation for their debut full-length album. Initially, the band recorded several tracks that would appear on ''[[The Secrets of the Black Arts]]'' at said Unisound Studio with Swanö as producer, but opted to re-record the album with [[Peter Tägtgren]] of [[Hypocrisy (band)|Hypocrisy]] fame at [[The Abyss (recording studio)|The Abyss Studio]], composing a further track, "When Angels Forever Die", and incorporating a cover of [[Von (band)|Von's]] "Satanic Blood", for their debut album. Concerning the band's decision to re-record their debut album, within a 2009 interview with ''Rites of the Black Moon Webzine'', Blackmoon elaborated that the initial recordings at Unisound Studio suffered from a sonic flatness, partly due to Swanö's exhaustion and to the quality of new recording gear that Swanö had recently acquired.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infernal-ritesoftheblackmoon.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-david-parland-july-2009.html|title = Rites of the Black Moon Webzine: Interview with David Parland (July 2009)|date = 11 July 2009}}</ref> Shortly after recording their album at The Abyss, Dark Funeral played their first festival gig, Under the Black Sun I, in [[Berlin]]. A few weeks prior to this gig [[Emperor Magus Caligula]] (Magnus 'Masse' Broberg, the original vocalist of Hypocrisy) replaced Themgoroth, becoming a permanent member during the summer of 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ritesoftheblackmoon.tripod.com/interview_infernal.html|title=Infernal|website=Ritesoftheblackmoon.tripod.com|access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> Concerning the factors underlying Themgoroth's departure, Blackmoon elucidated that Themgoroth was unable to fulfil the quality the band expected within their live performances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infernal-ritesoftheblackmoon.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-david-parland-july-2009.html|title = Rites of the Black Moon Webzine: Interview with David Parland (July 2009)|date = 11 July 2009}}</ref> On 28 January 1996, ''The Secrets of the Black Arts'' was released, with the album thence being licensed to [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]] in North America and Mystic Productions in Poland. Equimanthorn was soon replaced by [[Tomas Asklund|Alzazmon]], later known for his work with [[Dissection (band)|Dissection]] and Gorgoroth. The line-up of Emperor Magus Caligula, Lord Ahriman, Alzazmon and Blackmoon recorded their versions of [[Bathory (band)|Bathory]]'s "[[Call from the Grave]]" and "Equimanthorn" for the Bathory tribute ''In Conspiracy with Satan''. (These also appeared later re-mastered for the re-titled re-release of the band's debut ''[[Dark Funeral (EP)|In the Sign…]]''). Blackmoon departed Dark Funeral at the end of 1996, citing conflict with Lord Ahriman as the primary instigator for his decision to depart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infernal-ritesoftheblackmoon.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-david-parland-july-2009.html|title = Rites of the Black Moon Webzine: Interview with David Parland (July 2009)|date = 11 July 2009}}</ref> Together with Necromass, the band thence embarked on the Satanic War Tour I throughout [[Europe]].