About Lord Ahriman

About the Seller – Lord Ahriman Webstore (See full biography below image)

Welcome to the official store of Lord Ahriman, guitarist and co-founder of the legendary Swedish black metal band Dark Funeral [EST 1993].

Here you’ll discover exclusive signature merchandise, occult jewelry, and limited collector’s items — each piece designed, approved, and often signed personally by Lord Ahriman. Every creation embodies his vision of darkness, forged in collaboration with master artisans such as Tyvodar Jewellery, and world-renowned illustrators like Omnigraphicon, GreendevilArt (Ghost, Slayer, King Diamond), and Nestor Avalos and more. 

From handcrafted silver pendants bearing Ahriman’s sigil, to signed posters and apparel marked with arcane symbols, each item is a testament to black metal’s most enduring legacy.

Wear the darkness. Embrace your inner power.

All items are shipped with care directly from Sweden. When you purchase here, you’re not only receiving authentic, high-quality merchandise — you’re directly supporting the vision, artistry, and independence of Lord Ahriman himself.

🔗 Official Webstore: www.lordahriman.com

For custom orders, collaborations, or questions, reach out anytime.
Want to do a collab with Lord Ahriman? Get in touch through the contact page.
Thank you for supporting independent artistry.

BIOGRAPHY - Lord Ahriman: The True Emperor amongst the Kings of Swedish Black Metal

Enter the void — where the blackest realms of metal reside. This is where darkness calls, and where legends are forged.

Michael Svanberg, known to the world as Lord Ahriman, stands as one of the most enduring and defining figures in extreme metal. As co-founder, principal songwriter, and guiding force behind Dark Funeral, he has played a decisive role in shaping the sound, discipline, and global reach of Swedish black metal for more than three decades.

Born on November 13, 1972, in Luleå, deep in the north of Sweden, Lord Ahriman grew up surrounded by music — an environment that would shape his lifelong fascination with atmosphere, intensity, and sound.

Growing up in Luleå, his parents regularly took him to concerts, exposing him early to the power of live music — an experience that would later shape both his artistic drive and his lifelong devotion to the stage. His earliest musical experiences emerged through youth music projects in northern Sweden, where creativity, emotion, and sonic expression became central to his identity.

In 1989, he began writing and performing original material with his first band, Satan’s Disciples (1989–1992), refining a style driven by speed, precision, and darkness. In 1991, he relocated to Stockholm — then an emerging epicentre for extreme music — in pursuit of broader creative horizons. Two years later, he co-founded what would become Dark Funeral, initially operating under the name Ahriman before adopting the now-legendary moniker.

The name Lord Ahriman itself is drawn from Zoroastrian mythology, symbolizing darkness and opposition — a philosophical foundation that would permeate his artistic vision. From the outset, the project was forged with absolute intent and no compromise.

On May 4, 1994, Dark Funeral released their self-financed, self-titled 4-track EP, recorded at Dan Swanö’s Uni-Sound Studio. The release announced the arrival of a new and disciplined force within black metal. This was followed by the debut full-length album The Secrets of the Black Arts (1996), a record that saw Dark Funeral irrevocably alter the landscape of black metal. Its ferocious speed, razor-sharp precision, and haunting melodic architecture established a new benchmark for the genre. The layered guitar work was so rich and evocative that many listeners believed keyboards were involved — though every texture was crafted solely through guitar.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dark Funeral consolidated their position as one of the genre’s leading forces through releases such as Vobiscum Satanas (1998), the EP Teach Children to Worship Satan (2000), and Diabolis Interium (2001). The latter received a nomination for Best Metal Album at the Swedish P3 Guld Awards, marking a rare moment of mainstream cultural recognition for such uncompromising extreme music.

Parallel to his work with Dark Funeral, Ahriman expanded his creative reach through Wolfen Society, releasing the EP Conquer Divine in 2001, and contributing guest appearances and co-writing efforts across the extreme metal spectrum — including collaborations with The Electric Hellfire Club, Thookian Vortex, and Wolfpack 44. These ventures highlighted both his versatility and his deep integration within the wider underground.

As Dark Funeral continued their ascent, albums such as Attera Totus Sanctus (2005) and Angelus Exuro pro Eternus (2009) reinforced the band’s reputation for precision, aggression, and technical authority. Live releases including De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine (2004) — recorded during an extremely successful South American tour — and the Attera Orbis Terrarum DVD series (2007–2008) further cemented their status as a formidable live force on the global stage.

From the very early years, Lord Ahriman was among the first — and in several regions the very first — to bring a band like Dark Funeral to territories rarely explored by extreme metal at the time. Driven by a desire to experience the global underground firsthand, he helped expand the reach of black metal beyond established scenes, forging connections with audiences and cultures across continents. This pioneering spirit of exploration remains a defining part of his legacy, with Dark Funeral having performed in 55 countries worldwide to date.

A new aeon began with Where Shadows Forever Reign (2016), preceded by the single Nail Them to the Cross (2015). The album marked a renewed era of critical acclaim and was awarded Rock/Metal of the Year at P3 Guld in 2017, while the track As One We Shall Conquer received the Metal Hammer Award for Metal Anthem. In 2018, Lord Ahriman’s contribution to Swedish music was further recognized with the SKAP Metal Award for songwriting. 

The official motivation declared:
“He sits alone upon the throne of the dark metal kingdom. He creates furious music with atmospheres and tonalities that send shivers down the spine, and which are loved by fans all over the world.”

Dark Funeral’s seventh full-length album, We Are The Apocalypse, released on March 18, 2022, reaffirmed the band’s creative dominance. The album achieved strong international chart positions and marked Dark Funeral’s strongest entry on the U.S. Billboard charts to date, underscoring their continued global relevance more than three decades into their career.

Beyond music, Lord Ahriman has expanded his artistic vision through the Lord Ahriman Signature Collection — a curated line of jewelry, apparel, and artistic objects rooted in craftsmanship, symbolism, and dark aesthetics. Developed in close collaboration with selected artisans, the collection stands as a natural extension of his creative identity, translating the spirit of black metal into tangible, high-quality works.

With Dark Funeral continuing to headline major tours and festivals worldwide, Lord Ahriman remains a central and commanding presence within extreme metal. More than thirty years into his career, he stands not merely as a musician, but as an architect of sound, vision, and longevity — a constant force in a genre defined by intensity and impermanence.

Discography:

2022-03-18 | Dark Funeral | We Are the Apocalypse | CD
2016-06-03 | Dark Funeral | Where Shadows Forever Reign | CD
2015-02-23 | Dark Funeral | Nail Them to the Cross | Single
2009-11-18 | Dark Funeral | Angelus Exuro pro Eternus | CD
2008-10-20 | Dark Funeral | Attera Orbis Terrarum – Part II | Live / DVD
2007-10-09 | Dark Funeral | Attera Orbis Terrarum – Part I | Live / DVD
2005-10-24 | Dark Funeral | Attera Totus Sanctus | CD
2004-04-19 | Dark Funeral | De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine | Live CD
2001-10-23 | Wolfen Society | Conquer Divine | EP
2001-09-24 | Dark Funeral | Diabolis Interium | CD
2000-03-27 | Dark Funeral | Teach Children to Worship Satan | EP
1998-04-27 | Dark Funeral | Vobiscum Satanas | CD
1996-01-28 | Dark Funeral | The Secrets of the Black Arts | CD
1994-05-04 | Dark Funeral | Dark Funeral | MCD [EP]

Music Awards:

2016-09-16 | Dark Funeral | As One We Shall Conquer | Metal Hammer Awards – Metal Anthem
2017-01-21 | Dark Funeral | Where Shadows Forever Reign | P3 Guld – Rock/Metal
2018-10-10 | Lord Ahriman | Songwriting Achievement | SKAP – Metal Award

Previous Bands:

  • Satans Disciples [1989-92]

Guest Appearances:

  • The Electric Hellfire Club - Electronomicon [2002]
  • Thookian Vortex - Track: Into The Nagual - Co-writing [2007]
  • Wolfpack 44 - The Scourge [2016]

Lord Ahriman Online:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lordahriman
Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/LordAhriman666
Official Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lord_Ahriman
Official Instagram: www.instagram.com/lordahrimanofficial
Official TikToK: www.tiktok.com/@lordahrimanofficial

NORTH AMERICAN STORE [Selected items only]
https://lordahriman.kingsroadmerch.com

Lord Ahriman proudly endorses:

ESP Guitars
EVH Gear

Dunlop
Fishman
Blackshadows Tattoos
Infernum Tattoo NYC
Apocalypse Tattoo (Berlin)

Backdrops.se
Steinberg

Dark Funeral Online:

Official Website: www.darkfuneral.se
Official Webstore: www.diaboliswear.com
Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/darkfuneral
Official Instagram: www.instagram.com/darkfuneralofficial
Official Twitter: www.twitter.com/darkfuneral