Dark Essence Records
Dark Essence Records is a Bergen, Norway-based label founded in 2004, operating as the black/extreme metal imprint of a group that also runs Karisma Records and the jazz-focused Is it Jazz? Records. Its roster centers on Norwegian black metal, including long-established names like Taake, Helheim, and Aeternus, alongside newer signings, with releases distributed through Border Music, PHD, and The Orchard.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Norway
- Founded
- 2004
- Label size
- Established Norwegian independent label operating as one of three imprints under a Bergen-based parent company (with Karisma Records and Is it Jazz? Records), running an active roster of roughly 40 artists and using third-party distribution across the Nor
- Activity
- Currently active with a steady release cadence: multiple album/single announcements and releases dated across 2026 (Taake, Malum, Sabotør, Draken, Lumsk).
- Genres
- Black metal, Extreme metal, with some viking/folk, doom, and hard rock adjacent artists
What Does Dark Essence Records Release?
Representative artists: Taake, Helheim, Koldbrann, Aeternus, Madder Mortem, Vulture Industries, Malum, Hades Almighty, Superlynx, Nocturnal Breed
A curated, genre-anchored roster centered on Norwegian and Nordic black/extreme metal, with a small number of stylistic outliers (neoclassical, hard rock) rather than a broad multi-genre signing pipeline.
Who Is This Label Likely to Fit?
Likely a reasonable target for black/extreme metal acts, especially those with a Norwegian/Nordic scene affinity and a release-ready recording, given a stated open submissions process; however the submission inbox is shared with the label's non-metal sister imprint, and no geographic limits are confirmed either way, so applicability for artists outside Norway/Europe is unverified.
This is Metal-Labels' analysis based on available roster and activity data, not a claim made by the label itself.
Demo & Submission Information
Send a streaming link plus a short band presentation by email to post@karismarecords.no rather than attaching MP3s/downloads or mailing a physical copy, per the label's own submission guidance. Note that this inbox is shared with the label's non-metal sister imprint, so make the genre and relevant links clear in the message, and be aware that no public statement on geographic eligibility was found, so it is worth confirming directly whether the label considers acts from outside Norway/Europe.
Submission information last checked: August 2026
Official Links
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