Alsvartr was formed in Eidsvoll, Norway, in the winter of 1997 by drummer Kjetil Dahlen and guitarist/vocalist Jan Steinar Myrvoll. Soon Stian Bakkehaug on bass and Christer Pedersen on keyboards also joined the band. These four guys played together for about 6 months. They then decided to find an additional guitar player and Tommy Nikolaisen joined them. In October 1998 the band recorded a demo called "Et Hedensk Land". They played some live shows and soon they were asked by Mpress (Elin Henden) to support Aura Noir and Myrkskog in Drammen, Norway.

Source : www.tartareandesire.com/bands/Alsvartr/83/