Skien, Telemark Black Metal act SVARTAHRID date to late 1994. Both vocalist Istar (Finn Tore Kjærsgaard) and keyboard player Forn (Runar Bratsberg) are also a members of MACTÄTUS. Keyboard player Bjørn André featured on the opening June 1998 demo 'Herskende I Blod' but left the fold in 1999.

Napalm Records took the band on for the inaugural album 'Forthcoming Storm', crafted at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio, and issued during 1999. 'As The Sunrise Flickers' followed up in September 2000. The group restructered to feature bassist Frank Iberg in 2001. Sessions for an intended album commenced in 2002, but these would be shelved.

The Norwegian media gave SVARTAHRID sensational headlines in June of 2003 when former bassist Ilvastar severed the head from a cadavar in the local morgue and took it to a party in a bag. Ilsvatar admitted the crime but professed to have been under the influence of drugs and 96% proof moonshine. He was jailed for one year. NidGrim was drafted to cover on bass in 2004.

SVARTAHRID signed with Soulseller Records in 2006 for the album 'Sadness And Wrath' for March 2007 issue. This set, actually recorded back in 2002 / 2003, featured a guest appearance by DARKTHRONE's Nocturno Culto on the song 'Intensjon: Krig!'.

Soulseller Records released 'Malicious Pride', recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio, in June 2008.