Griffin

Griffin is a Norwegian heavy metal band formed in 1998, emerging as a significant traditionalist counterpoint to the dominant black metal scene in Norway. Founded by guitarist Kai Nergaard, the band's identity is built on a foundation of 70s and 80s metal worship, specifically drawing from the US Power Metal (USPM) tradition and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Their sound evolved significantly with the addition of guitarist Marcus Silver, whose technical proficiency shifted the band toward more complex, melody-driven arrangements. Throughout the early 2000s, they released a string of critically acclaimed albums on labels like Season of Mist and FaceFront, touring with icons like King Diamond. Their career arc is defined by a commitment to 'vitality and energy,' successfully carving out a niche for classic metal in a territory world-renowned for extreme subgenres. Critically, they are regarded as one of Norway's finest exports of traditional metal, noted for their high-caliber musicianship and refusal to follow fleeting trends.