Stian Aarstad


Stian Aarstad is a Norwegian pianist and keyboard player best known for his four-year stint with the black metal band Dimmu Borgir during which he played keyboards and synthesizers while engendering criticism and controversy for appearing onstage and performing in a top-hat-and-cape outfit reminiscent of Jack the Ripper, while wearing minimal corpse makeup and not moving or showing any emotion. Upon joining Dimmu Borgir, he didn't listen to metal music, preferring only to listen to classical.
In 1998 to 1999, he produced a demo for the unblack metal band Vaakevandring, which was later re-released as a self-titled EP in 2004. In the 2000s, Aarstad had been the pianist for the band Enthral, but left his regular position during the recording of the band's third album.
As of 2005, Aarstad has been performing with the electronica/pop music act Karatkorn.