Equinox

Equinox was a pivotal, if under-appreciated, fixture in the Norwegian metal scene, forming in Fredrikstad in 1982. While Norway is synonymous with black metal, Equinox represented a sophisticated technical thrash movement that paralleled the work of bands like Voivod (Canada) and Coroner (Switzerland).

Their sound identity is built on the 'Stene brothers' core, featuring Grim Stene's distinctive guitar work which utilizes dissonant intervals and jazz-influenced structures rarely seen in the genre. Their career arc saw them move from the relatively straightforward thrash of their debut into increasingly experimental territory with 'Xerox Success' and 'Labyrinth,' where they incorporated industrial and progressive elements. Critically, they are regarded as a 'musician's band,' praised for their tight execution and refusal to follow the burgeoning black metal trends of their homeland. They remain a cult favorite for collectors of technical thrash and are often cited as a missing link between 80s speed metal and the more cerebral progressive metal of the mid-90s.