Djevel was founded in 2009 by Trånn Ciekals after he left his former band Ljå. Ciekals named the band after last song of Ljå's album
Til avsky for livet (In loathing of life), titled "Gjort til Djevel" (Made a devil). Originally intended to be a solo project, it became a full band after
Erlend Hjelvik and
Lloyd "Mannevond" Hektoen joining in 2011. Djevel released their first album
Dødssanger (Songs of death) on 13 June 2011. Anders "Hjorth" Mosness played the drums on it as a session member. In 2012, Per "Dirge Rep" Håvarstein (
Gehenna,
Enslaved) joined the band as a full-time drummer. Djevel released
Besatt av maane og natt (Possessed by moon and night) on 14 June 2013,
Saa raa og kald (So raw and cold) on 29 April 2015 and
Norske ritualer (Norwegian rituals) on 11 November 2016. The third track of
Norske ritualer included a guest appearance on vocals by
Ørjan "Hoest" Stedjeberg and was recorded by
Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin. In 2017, vocalist Hjelvik and drummer Dirge Rep left the band. Bassist Mannevond started doing the vocals, and
Bård "Faust" Eithun replaced Dirge Rep. Djevel released their fifth album
Blant svarte graner (Among the black spruces)—a concept album about
Black Death—on 23 March 2018. It was followed by the EP
Vettehymner (Hymns of the
wights), which included acoustic guitar versions of 5 early songs and one new song played by Ciekals, and the full-length album
Ormer til armer, maane til hode (Arms of serpents, head of moon), which was released on 18 October 2019. In 2020, vocalist and bass player Mannevond left the band to focus on
Koldbrann, and was replaced by Eskil "Kvitrim" Blix. Mannevond returned to the band following year as a live member on bass, and ultimately left in 2024. Djevel released
Tanker som rir natten (Thoughts that haunt the night) on 14 May 2021,
Naa skrider natten sort (Now the black night advances) on 23 November 2022 and
Natt til ende (Night to the end) on 15 November 2024. These albums form a night-themed trilogy. The band played at
Prague Death Mass during the interim in 2023.
Ciekals dies, band dissolves, a final album (2025) Trånn Ciekals died on 7 February 2025 from unknown causes. In March, the band announced they will perform the planned two gigs on 21 and 22 November in the Oslo venue
Parkteatret, "as a tribute to the life and musical work of Trånn Ciekals", with Jan Even Åsli replacing Ciekals on guitar. They later added a gig in Trondheim on 8 November. Ciekals' wife, musician Alina "Lamia Vox" Antonova, played alongside Djevel on the two Oslo gigs, performing music made by her and Ciekals under the project name Høstkvæld (autumn evening).
Håvard Jørgensen, formative member of
Ulver, performed on the second night. The band stated "this will be the last chance to see Djevel ever". At the time of Ciekals' death, he had material for two more albums written but not recorded. In August 2025, the remaining band members announced that there will be a tenth and final album with this material. The release date is, as of Nov 2025, yet to be announced, but the band has posted updates from the recording process on social media. == Style ==