Mystic Circle

• Genre(s): Black Metal
• Representative Albums: "Infernal Satanic Verses," "Drachenblut," "Unholy Chronicles



Biography

One of Germany's most popular pure black metal bands, Mystic Circle was formed at the tail end of 1992 in Ludwigshafen by the colorfully named Graf von Beelzebub (bass/vocals) and his partner in crime, Aaarrrgon (drums). 1993's Dark Passion was the first of three demo tapes which, over the next few years, helped spread the band's satanic gospel in the German black metal underground. Three 1996 EPs (one, a split with fellow Teutonic terrors Blood) led up to their full-length debut with 1997's Morgenroete-der Schrei Nach Finsternis, also featuring guitarists Mephisto and Agamidion. But they were soon gone, replaced by Isternos and Ezpharess, who along with Baalsulgorr (keyboards) contributed to Mystic Circle's European breakthrough, 1998's concept album Drachenblut. Extensive touring with Scandinavian black metal masters Marduk and Old Man's Child followed, and after a few major festival appearances, the band recorded what many still consider their masterpiece, 1999's Infernal Satanic Verses. Featuring guest vocals from Sarah Jezebel Diva, the album saw the band's ambitious brand of symphonic black metal fully realized, but their will was soon tested by the departure of founder Aaarrrgon. Forced to use a drum machine for much of the ensuing tour, the band finally found a (reportedly) human replacement in Raziel, who joined in time to perform on 2001's The Great Beast. Isternos also made his exit a short time later, and new drummer Necrodaemon was added in 2002.

History

Mystic Circle was formed in 1992 in Ludwigshafen. They released several EPs before their debut LP was issued in 1997. Following their 1998 release they toured with Marduk and Old Man's Child and played several large rock festivals. After their 1999 release Infernal Satanic Verses, their original drummer, Aarrrgon, left the group, and they had to use a drum machine to complete their tour.
Beelzebub has left the band to pursue another long-awaited project called Gloomball. It was unknown whether Mystic Circle will replace Beelzebub and trudge on, or call it quits, but according to Beelzubub on his personal myspace page, Mystic Circle is "history"

Line-up



Current line-up

• Ezpharess (Stefan Heintzelmann) - guitar
• Astaroth (Gianni Cutrona) - drums
• Vike Ragnar (Tobias Drabold) - Guitars

Former members

• Baalsulgorr - keyboard
• Aaarrrgon (1992-1999) - drums
• Abyss (Marc Reign) - drums
• Necrodemon (Alex Koch) (2001-2005) - drums
• Dementum - drums
• Isternos (Thomas Pfänder) - guitar
• Xeron (1999) - guitar
• Agamidion (Thorsten (Smog) Aschenbrenner) - guitar
• Mephisto (Mark Foltz) - guitar
• Sarah Jezebel Deva - Female vocals
• Graf von Beelzebub (Marc Zimmer) - vocals, bass guitar

Discography

• Dark Passion (1994)
• Von Kriegern und Helden (1995)
• Die Götter der Urväter (1996)
• Schwarze Magie (1997)
• Kriegsgötter (1997)
• Morgenröte - Der Schrei nach Finsternis (1997)
• Drachenblut (1998)
• Infernal Satanic Verses (1999)
• Kriegsgötter II (2000)
• The Great Beast (2001)
• Damien (2002)
• Open the Gates of Hell (2003)
• Unholy Chronicles 1992-2004 (2004)
• The Bloody Path of God (2006)

http://www.myspace.com/mysticcircle Official Page