Frost Like Ashes

Formed: 2001—present
Genre(S): Black Metal, Blackened death.



Frost Like Ashes is a Christian blackened death/thrash band that formed in Kansas City, Missouri in 2001. The band has released two EP's (Born to Pieces and Pure as the Blood Covered Snow) and a full-length CD titled Tophet, and their songs have appeared on 2 compilations titled A Brutal Christmas and A Treasury of Sorrows. Previously signed to Psycho Acoustix Records and currently to Sullen Records, an imprint of Open Grave Records, their music combines elements of black metal, death metal and thrash metal with keyboards and virtuoisic vocals notable for "switching between about 10 different extreme styles within a given song." Their lyrics have achieved attention for their harsh output, providing a Biblical point of view for the regular, cruel themes of black metal music. The band is also controversial for using the typical war paint style often associated with the black metal visuals. Their live act incorporates a reversal of stereotypical black-metal images—for example, spitting in and tearing up a Satanic Bible and smashing a goat-skull adorned pentagram with a sword.

History:

Two of the band members, vocalist Azahel and drummer Adonijah, were former members of a controversial deathrash band called Possession that was active from 1992 to 1998. Frost Like Ashes was formed on the vision of guitarist, Sebat (ex-World Funeral, ex-Coven), who would recruit Azahel (vocals) and Syntyche (bass) in 2001 and begin what has become an underground juggernaut hybrid of black/death Metal. Adonijah (drums), completed the group and they released their first EP on SoTD Records in 2003. In January 2003, Qoheleth joined the band as their first full time dedicated keyboardist. Up to this point Adonijah would compose and record the keyboard parts. They were able to get on the bill for Freakshow 13 in Las Vegas, performing alongside such bands as Stavesacre and Mortal Treason. In 2004, The band parted ways with Syntyche and acquired the skills of new bassist, Ruach.
In 2005, after some delays, Frost Like Ashes' first full-length CD, Tophet, was finally released. The recording has received many positive reviews and has helped Frost Like Ashes gain more popularity and notoriety.
In the Spring and Summer of 2006, Frost Like Ashes performed in Omaha with Psyclon Nine and Epicurean, and in Minnesota with Crimson Thorn, Becoming the Archetype, and Crimson Moonlight.

In March 13, 2008, Blabbermouth.net reported that the band signed a record deal with Sullen records, an imprint of Open Grave Records, for the release of the band's new EP, titled Born to Pieces. The follow-up to the group's 2006 acclaimed album Tophet will be issued this May and will be available as a limited release, with only 250 units to be produced. Fire of the Polish black metal band Elgibbor played bass for Frost Like Ashes at their Cornerstone Festival concert on July 3, 2008 to mark his full time permanent membership in the band. The EP sold out shortly after its release, and a limited edition 7" vinyl was printed of Born to Pieces later.
Previously the band announced that they are currently working on an album entitled Gods of the Great Whore that will be a concept album based on a book the vocalist Azahel is writing. An update from the band's official website on January 2, 2009, stated that the band has put Gods... on hold until the book is written; however, they have written new material for another album to be released first, tentatively entitled Who Walks in the Darkness, and is to be based on a novel by R. A. Salvatore entitled Homeland. Tentative tracklisting was also published on their website.

Members





Current members

• Azahel – vocals (2001—Present)
• Sebat – Guitar (2001—Present)
• Fire – Bass (2008—Present)
• Adonijah – drums (2001—Present)
• Qoheleth – Keyboard (2004—Present)


Former members

• Syntyche – Bass (2001—2004)
• Ruach – Bass (2004—2008)

Discography

• A Brutal Christmas (SOTD Records) – 2002 (compilation)
• Pure As The Blood Covered Snow (SOTD Records) – 2003
• A Treasury of Sorrows (Lifeless Records) – 2004 (compilation)
• Tophet (Psycho Acoustix Records) – 2005
• Born to Pieces EP (Sullen Records) – 2008

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/frostlikeashes

Forgotten Tomb

Formed: 1999, Piacenza
Genre(s): Black Metal
Representative Albums: Springtime Depression, Negative Megalomania (2007)

Biography:

Forgotten Tomb is an Italian blackened doom metal band, formed in Piacenza in 1999. The band's music has been compared to early Katatonia, Burzum and Dolorian's 1999 debut album When All the Laughter Has Gone. The lyrical themes revolve around depression and suicide. The band's founder, guitarist and vocalist Herr Morbid (Ferdinando Marchisio), describes himself as a "completely depressed, paranoid and suicide-fixated person".

Forgotten Tomb's debut recording, Obscura Arcana Mortis, was recorded by Herr Morbid as a solo undertaking in 1999. It was released the following year in CD format through Treblinka Productions and limited to 215 pieces. The band's first full-length album, Songs to Leave, was released in 2002 through Selbstmord Services. After several line-up changes, the album was followed by Springtime Depression in 2003 and Love's Burial Ground in 2004. Both albums were released through Adipocere Records. In 2006, Forgotten Tomb signed with Avantgarde Music and recorded its fourth full-length, Negative Megalomania. The album was released in January 2007.

Members

Current line-up



• Herr Morbid – Guitars and vocals
• Razor SK – Guitars
• Algol – Bass
• Asher – Drums

Past members

• Torment – Bass
• Wudang – Session guitars
• Wedebrand – Session drums (ex-Shining)
• Henrik Nordvargr Björkk – Effects

Discography

• Obscura Arcana Mortis (EP, 2000)
• Songs to Leave (2002)
• Springtime Depression (2003)
• Love's Burial Ground (2004)
• Negative Megalomania (2007)

http://www.forgottentomb.com/ Official page
http://www.myspace.com/darknessinstereo Myspace page

MAYHEM

• Formed: 1984, Norway
• Genre(s): Black Metal
• Representative Albums: "Live in Leipzig", "Wolf's Lair Abyss", "Chimera
• Representative Songs: "Freezing Moon", "Necrolust", "Deathcrush

Biography

Formed around 1985 by Necrobutcher and guitarist Euronymous (born Oystein Aarseth), Mayhem was the first death metal band from Norway to make much of an impact in their homeland, which in the early '90s developed a burgeoning underground scene rife with violent, sometimes anti-Christian activity -- as evidenced by Mayhem's non-musical history. Drummer Hellhammer, who at one time worked in a mental hospital, is the only remaining member of the band's prime-period lineup. Lead vocalist Dead committed suicide in 1991 (two years after joining the band) by shooting himself in the head; Hellhammer made a necklace using some of his skull fragments, and Euronymous reportedly cooked and ate pieces of Dead's brain. Euronymous, in turn, was stabbed to death while in his underwear on August 10, 1993, by the band's bass player, Count Grishnackh (born Christian Vikernes). Grishnackh's alleged motive was jealousy over the fact that Euronymous had a more evil reputation; he inflicted 23 separate wounds, it was also rumored, so as to outdo rival band Emperor's drummer, Faust, who was convicted in the stabbing death of a homosexual acquaintance. When police arrested Grishnackh, they found over 150 kg of stolen dynamite in his house, complete with a plan to blow up a large church on a religious holiday. Grishnackh went on to pursue his electronic-influenced project Burzum while in prison; meanwhile, Euronymous' parents requested that his bass tracks be erased from Mayhem's 1994 album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, (which featured session vocalist Attila Csihar). Still, thanks to growing worldwide interest in Norwegian death metal, Mayhem product has continued to appear on the shelves into the next century. Hellhammer also put together a new Mayhem lineup, which has toured sporadically. During one such tour in 2003, a concert-goer in Norway received a fractured skull as a sheep head flew from the stage while band member Blasphemer was cutting the head away from the torso.

History:

Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway. They are regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene. Mayhem's career has been highly controversial, primarily due to the suicide of vocalist Dead, murder of guitarist Euronymous, and their violent stage performances.
Over time Mayhem has evolved through a variety of black metal styles, delving at times into areas of dark avant-garde industrial and electronica.

Early years (1984–1987)

Inspired by groups such as Bathory, Venom, Slayer, and Celtic Frost, Mayhem was founded in 1984 by guitarist/vocalist Øystein Aarseth (aka Euronymous), bass guitarist Jørn Stubberud (aka Necrobutcher), and drummer Kjetil Manheim (aka Manheim). The band name is taken from the Venom song, "Mayhem with Mercy." This lineup recorded and released the demo Pure Fucking Armageddon. Euronymous concentrated solely on guitar following the hire of a vocalist in 1986. During 1986 and 1987, Sven Erik Kristiansen (aka Maniac) and Eirik Nordheim (aka Messiah) were recruited as vocalists. This lineup recorded the band's first album, Deathcrush, and released it through Euronymous's newly formed label Posercorpse Music.

The initial 1,000 copy release of Deathcrush quickly sold out. It was later repressed in 1993 by Posercorpse Music, which was renamed Deathlike Silence Productions as a joint venture with Euronymous's Oslo specialist record shop Helvete. Euronymous's plans for this new outlet included that it was to be "...like a black church in the future. We've thought about having total darkness inside, so that people would have to carry torches to be able to see the records."
By mid-1988 both Manheim and Maniac had left the band: Manheim left to find a mainstream job, and Maniac left due to depression.

With Dead (1988–1991)




After two brief replacements, their positions were filled by Swedish vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin (aka Dead) and local drummer Jan Axel Blomberg (aka Hellhammer). According to Bård Eithun of the band Emperor:
He (Dead) wasn't a guy you could know very well. I think even the other guys in Mayhem didn't know him very well. He was hard to get close to. I met him two weeks before he died. I'd met him maybe six to eight times, all in all. He had lots of weird ideas. I remember Aarseth was talking about him and said he did not have any humor. He did, but it was very obscure. Honestly, I don't think he was enjoying living in this world.

With Dead as vocalist, the band's concerts became notorious. Whilst performing, Dead would often cut himself with hunting knives and broken glass. Additionally, the band often had pig or sheep heads impaled on stakes and planted at the front of their stage.

At some point in 1990, the members of Mayhem moved to "an old house in the forest" near Oslo. They began writing songs for their next album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. On 8 April 1991, Dead committed suicide in the house owned by the band. He was found by Euronymous with slit wrists and a shotgun round to the head. Dead's suicide note read "Excuse all the blood" and included an apology for firing the weapon indoors. Instead of calling the police, Euronymous went to a nearby store and bought a disposable camera to photograph the corpse, after re-arranging some items. One of these photographs was later stolen and used as the cover of a bootleg live album entitled Dawn of the Black Hearts.

Eventually, rumors surfaced that Euronymous made a stew with pieces of Dead's brain, and made necklaces with fragments of Dead's skull. The band later stated that the former rumor was false, but the latter was true. Additionally, Euronymous claimed to have given these necklaces to musicians he deemed worthy.
According to Stian Johannsen (aka Occultus), who briefly took position as vocalist after Dead's suicide:
He (Dead) didn't see himself as human; he saw himself as a creature from another world. He said he had many visions that his blood has frozen in his veins, that he was dead. That is the reason he took that name. He knew he would die.

De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1991–1994)

Dead's suicide affected Necrobutcher so much that he left Mayhem, thinning the band's ranks down to two. In 1993, Live in Leipzig was released as the band's tribute to Dead.

Later that year, the recording of Mayhem's upcoming album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas resumed. In Dead's and Necrobutcher's absences, Attila Csihar of Tormentor handled vocals, and Varg Vikernes of Burzum handled bass guitar. Due to adverse media and police attention, Euronymous was forced around this time to close his scene focal point record shop Helvete. Much of the album was recorded during the first half of 1993 at the Grieg Hall in Bergen. To coincide with the release of the album, Euronymous and Vikernes had conspired to blow up Nidaros Cathedral, which appears on the album cover. Euronymous's murder in August 1993 put an end to this plan and delayed the album's release.



On 10 August 1993, Varg Vikernes murdered guitarist Euronymous. On that night, Vikernes and Snorre Ruch travelled from Bergen to Euronymous’s apartment in Oslo. Upon their arrival a confrontation began, which ended when Vikernes fatally stabbed Euronymous. His body was found outside the apartment with twenty-three cut wounds – two to the head, five to the neck, and sixteen to the back. Vikernes claims that Euronymous had plotted to torture him to death and videotape the event – using a meeting about an unsigned contract as a pretext. On the night of the murder, Vikernes claims he intended to hand Euronymous the signed contract and "tell him to fuck off", but that Euronymous attacked him first. Additionally, Vikernes defends that most of Euronymous’s cut wounds were caused by broken glass he had fallen on during the struggle. Regardless of the circumstances, Vikernes was arrested within days, and a few months later he was sentenced to 21 years in prison for both the murder and church arsons. With only Hellhammer remaining, Mayhem effectively ceased to exist.

In May 1994, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas was released and formally dedicated to Euronymous. Its release had been delayed due to complaints filed by Euronymous's parents, who had objected to the presence of bass guitar parts played by Vikernes. Contrary to contemporary reports these were not re-recorded by Hellhammer and appear unblemished.

With Maniac and Blasphemer (1995–2004)

By late 1995 Hellhammer had decided to reform the band with the help of new guitarist Rune Eriksen (aka Blasphemer) and two previous Mayhem members - Maniac and Necrobutcher. The first release of this new lineup was a 1997 EP titled Wolf's Lair Abyss, and was followed by some live European shows. One of these took place in Milan, Italy, guest starring Attila Csihar, and was recorded for the Mediolanum Capta Est live album of that year.

In this new phase, racist statements made by Hellhammer (who spoke out against race mixing and foreigners in Norway) and the use of Nazi imagery such as swastika flags in the rehearsal room, the Totenkopf emblem and band merchandise featuring the symbol of the military branch of Nasjonal Samling led to controversy and accusations of neo-Nazism.

In 2000 the band's second full-length CD, Grand Declaration of War, was released. Strongly influenced by progressive and avant-garde metal, the album was concept-based, dealing with themes of war and post-apocalyptic destruction. Maniac largely abandoned the traditional black metal rasp for dramatic spoken-word monologue, with most of the songs sequencing seamlessly into one another. Reaction to the album was polarized. Some criticised the album for its avant-garde and electronic elements, which they perceived as pretentious, and for Maniac's vocals, which they perceived as inferior to Dead's and Attila's. Others saw it as a laudable attempt to recreate and redefine black metal, with critic Brian Russ of BNR Metal going so far as to call it "really the first cohesive work the band has ever done" and "a fitting culmination to their career thus far." In retrospect, the electronic elements of the album were often heavily overstated by its detractors, appearing notably in only a single track, "A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun." It should also be noted that from Wolf's Lair Abyss up to the present, Blasphemer has written all of the music for Mayhem's releases. Maniac wrote the lyrics from the reformation of the band until his departure in 2004.

In May 2003, Mayhem made headlines again when a Mayhem fan, Per Kristian Hagen, landed in the hospital with a fractured skull after being hit by a severed sheep's head that had been thrown into the audience from the stage. Assault charges were filed, but the band considered it to have been entirely accidental.
In 2004, Mayhem released Chimera. It showed a return to their earlier raw and brutal style, but with considerably better production values than earlier releases. Chimera still maintained a progressive edge. In 2004, Maniac was forced out of the band, according to Necrobutcher, because of stage fright-induced alcoholism. Necrobutcher also stated that because of this, a violent encounter ensued between the singer and Blasphemer, during which the guitarist kicked Maniac down a flight of stairs and smashed his head facefirst twice into a wall. Attila Csihar was reinstated as his replacement.

Ordo Ad Chao (2004–2008)

The band's fourth album, titled Ordo ad Chao (Latin for "Order to Chaos"), was released in April 2007. Ordo ad Chao contains a much rawer sound than the rest of the band's recent work; the drums are not equalized and the mix is notably bass-heavy (black metal typically lacks bass). The album continues the band's experiments with unorthodox song structures, with "Illuminate Eliminate," at 9:40, being the band's second longest track to date (behind Grand Declaration of War’s "Completion in Science of Agony (Part I)" at 9:44). The album received strong reviews and was the band's highest-charting album to date, peaking at #12 on the Norwegian charts. In early 2008 Ordo Ad Chao won the Spellemann (Grammy) award (the largest and oldest of Norway's music awards shows) for Best Metal Album of 2007.
In April 2008, Blasphemer decided to leave the band. He issued the following statement regarding the matter:

The main reason behind this conclusion lies in the fact that I simply don't see any future for me in the band anymore, at least not a future I'd like to participate in over the coming years. I've been playing my part in the band now for more than 13 years already, having composed, produced and released several albums with great vision, dedication and craftsmanship, to arrive at this crossroad of opposites. Sooner or later, all things comes to an end, and in my case, this circle is complete.
Blasphemer played European festival dates with the band through the summer months of 2008, playing his last gig with the group in August. This marked the departure of the musician credited with the bulk of the musical composition of the band's three most recent studio albums.

After Blasphemer's departure (2008–present)

Statements of touring plans for late 2008/early 2009 were announced on the band's web page a few weeks after their final dates with Blasphemer, prior to any word on new members. In October 2008, it was announced that a musician named Morfeus (Dimension F3H/Limbonic Art) had "joined forces" with Mayhem as guitarist for their upcoming South America Fucking Armageddon tour, replacing Blasphemer.
The band toured through late 2008 and 2009 with this lineup, prior to announcing Summer 2009 dates with a French metal musician calling himself Silmaeth on second guitar. Both Morfeus and Silmaeth are presently considered touring (as opposed to full-time) members. In November 2009, the band were arrested in Tilburg, Netherlands, after destroying a hotel room while on tour.

Members

Former Members:

• Vocals: Maniac (1986–1988) & (1995–2004), Dead (1988–1991), Attila Csihar
(1992–1993) & (2004–2008)

• Guitar: Euronymous (1986-1993) & Blasphemer (1995-2008)
• Bass: Necrobutcher (1986-1991) & (1995-2008) And Grishnackh (1992–1993)
• Drums: Manheim (1986–1988) and Hellhammer (1988-2008)

Current:



• Necrobutcher – bass (1984–1991, 1995–present)
• Hellhammer – drums, percussion (1988–1993, 1995–present)
• Attila Csihar – lead vocals (1992–1993, 2004–present)
with
• Morfeus – guitars (2008–present)
• Silmaeth – guitars (2009–present)

Former

• Messiah – lead vocals (1986)
• Manheim – drums, percussion (1984–1988)
• Torben Grue – drums, percussion (1988)
• Kittil Kittilsen – lead vocals (1988)
• Dead – lead vocals (1988–1991) (deceased)
• Occultus – lead vocals, bass (1991)
• Count Grishnackh – bass (1992–1993)
• Blackthorn – guitars (1992–1993)
• Euronymous – guitars (1984–1993), lead vocals (1984–1986) (deceased)
• Nordgaren – guitars (1997–1998)
• Maniac – lead vocals (1986–1988, 1995–2004)
• Blasphemer – guitars, bass (1995–2008)

Discography

• Deathcrush (1987)
• De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994)
• Wolf's Lair Abyss (1997)
• Grand Declaration of War (2000)
• Chimera (2004)
• Ordo Ad Chao (2007)

Videography

• 1998: Live In Bischofswerda
• 2001: European Legions: Live In Marseille 2000
• 2002: Mayhem - Cult of Aggression (Norwegian/Swedish documentary by Stefan Rydehed)
• 2005: Appearance in Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
• 2005: Appearance in BBC One World episode Death Metal Murders
• 2008: Pure Fucking Mayhem (English documentary by Stefan Rydehed)

http://www.thetruemayhem.com/ official page

http://www.myspace.com/officialmayhem Official Myspace

Ragnarok

Genre(s): Black Metal
Formed: 1994
Representative Albums: Nattferd, Diabolical Age and Blackdoor Miracle





Ragnarok is a Norwegian black metal band. The band was formed in Sarpsborg, Norway in 1994 by Jerv and Jontho, after they left Thoth, their previous band. Lyrical themes include paganism, Vikings, anti-Christianity, and Satanism. The band's name comes from the Old Norse word ragnarok, which in Norse mythology refers to a prophesied war of the gods.

History

Ragnarok made a name for themselves locally by recording demo tracks and a compilation album including the song Et Vinterland i Nord with their original lineup, consisting of Jerv on bass, Jontho on drums, Rym on guitar and Thyme as the vocalist. The band received good feedback for their demo work and soon signed to the cult label Head Not Found Records, who released Ragnarok's debut album Nattferd in 1995.

The band was generally dissatisfied with Head Not Found Records, and intended to leave in 1996, but were persuaded to sign a contract for two more albums after the label offered them a much better deal. Unfortunately, this deal meant that Ragnarok was forced to turn down a deal with Century Media, who expressed interest in signing the band after a show in Oslo later that same year.

In 1997, work was begun on Ragnarok's second album, titled Arising Realm, which featured Shagrath of the band Dimmu Borgir on keyboards. In 1998, Ragnarok went on tour for the first time, playing eight shows in Denmark and Germany in addition to the Hellraiser Festival in Leipzig. At the end of the year Ragnarok started recording Diabolical Age, their third album. Diabolical Age was not finished until late in 1999, and by the time it was actually released Thyme had left the band, to be replaced by vocalist Astaroth, and Sander had joined as a second guitarist. It was soon clear, however, that Sander was not cut out to perform with the band, so he was kicked out and replaced with Lord Arcamous shortly after the eventual release of Diabolical Age in 2000.

Later in 2000, Ragnarok embarked on a short tour with Swedish band Satanic Slaughter, in the course of which it became clear that Astaroth was not capable of continuing on with the band. He was kicked from the band after the tour. Lord Arcamous filled in as vocalist for the recording of the album In Nomine Satanas on Regain Records, but he himself was replaced with Hoest of the band Taake in 2002.

After Hoest joined the band, Ragnarok was finally able to go on tour and perfect their sound for their next album. Blackdoor Miracle was recorded in 2004, and both the band and its fans were pleased with the results.

After a renewal of the lineup the only remaining old member, drummer Jontho, announced they will start touring with the new lineup and are planning for a new album through Regain Records early 2009.

Current members




• HansFyrste - vocals
• Brigge - guitar
• Decepticon - bass and backing vocals
• Jontho - drums

Former Members

• Høest - vocals 1999 - 2008
• Thyme - vocals 1994 - 1999
• Astaroth - vocals 2000 - 2001
• Lord Arcamous - vocals 2001 - 2002
• Sander - rhythm guitar 1999 - 2000
• Jerv - bass 1994 - 2007
• Rym - guitar 1994 - 2007

Discography

• Et Vinterland i Nord demo (1994)
• Pagan Land demo (1995)
• Nattferd (1995)
• Arising Realm (1997)
• Diabolical Age (2000)
• In Nomine Satanas (2002)
• Blackdoor Miracle (2004)
• Collectors Of The King (2009)

Gehenna

• Genre(s): Black Metal
• Representative Albums: "WW," "Through the Veils of Darkness," "Through"




Biography

According to some gospels, when Jesus Christ referred to Hell, he often used the word Gehenna, which was actually the name of Jerusalem's garbage dump -- where fires were constantly kept burning to cope with the city's refuse. Fast forward roughly 2,000 years and the name was adopted by one of Norway's most influential black metal bands, which formed in the town of Stavanger, in January 1993, in the wake of local forefathers Mayhem's ascendance, and integrated a now heralded generation also including such contemporaries as Emperor, Enslaved, Darkthrone, and Ulver. Initially comprising vocalist/guitarist Sanrabb, guitarist/bassist Dolgar (real name Steffen Simenstad), and drummer Sir Vereda, the initially nameless project that would become Gehenna recorded a pair of demos, Black Seared Heart and Ancestors of the Darkly Sky, in their first year, before earning their Scandinavian black metal stripes in dubious fashion when the drummer joined several other more prominent scene members behind bars. Even so, by the following year, Sanrabb and Dolgar had drafted bassist Svartalv, keyboardist Sarcana, and drummer Dirge Rep (aka Per Husebø), played their first local shows, and recorded a debut mini-album entitled First Spell for Head Not Found Records. Still widely regarded to be their definitive work, First Spell showcased a unique style of black metal, both somber and melodic in nature, and earned the group a new recording contract with Cacophonous Records, which also released subsequent efforts Seen Through the Veils of Darkness (1995) and Malice (1996) to serious acclaim in the underground metal world. But Gehenna almost came to a grinding halt in 1997, when internal tensions led to Svartalv's departure to found thrash band Nocturnal Breed, Dirge Rep's defection to Enslaved, and Sarcana's retirement from the scene. Sanrabb and Dolgar would re-emerge the following year with a new album entitled Adimiron Black for Moonfog Productions, and new members E.N. Death (bass), Blod (drums), and Damien (keyboards), but the latter would soon be dismissed due to Gehenna's distinctly more aggressive sound. In fact, by the release of 2000's Murder, Gehenna had reinvented themselves as a death metal band, leaving many observers puzzled. Come 2005's WW, they'd once again returned to their haunting black metal roots, but time has yet to tell whether their fans returned to it with them.

History:

Gehenna is a Norwegian Death/Black metal band. Gehenna was formed in January, 1993 by original members Sanrabb, Dolgar, and Sir Vereda. Their first demo, entitled Black Seared Heart, was recorded between the 3rd and 7th of June 1993 in Soundsuite Studios, and was released as a cassette. Around this same time, a 7" titled Ancestors of The Darkly Sky was released by Necromantic Gallery Productions.
Shortly after the release of these two recordings, Sir Verada left the band due to legal problems, and was replaced by Dirge Rep. The band also enlisted Svartalv as bass player during this time.

Up until this time, the band had yet to play any live shows. It was not until February, 1994 that the band made their live debut.
In 1994 Sarcana joined the band and added keyboards to the mix.
In March, 1994, the band entered Soundsuite Studios to record their debut album, First Spell. It was released as an MCD on Head Not Found Records. First Spell generated a larger fan-base for the band, and led to them signing 2-album record deal with Cacophonous Records.

In 1995, Gehenna released their second full-length, Seen Through The Veils of Darkness. This record featured a guest appearance by Garm of Arcturus and Ulver doing vocals on the track Vinterriket. This release cemented Gehenna as a strong band in the black metal scene.

Shortly before the release of Gehenna's next record, Svartalv left the band. Noctifer, who had joined the band as Svartalv's replacement, was unable to meet the demands of being a member of Gehenna. After 6 months, during the recording sessions of Gehenna's third release, Noctifier left the band.
E.N. Death, a friend of the band, was asked to sit in as a session bassist to finish the recording. After also joining the band on tour, he was asked to join the band full-time.

In 1996, Gehenna's third release, Malice, was released on Cacophonous Records.
Sarcana and Dirge Rep both left the band shortly after a touring in support of Malice. Damien was added as Sarcana's replacement on keyboards and Blod took up drumming duties.

With the new members, Gehenna's sound changed a bit. Blod brought a death metal background with him, and it influenced Gehenna in a much heavier way.
In 1998, Gehenna signed to Moonfog Productions and immediately released an EP Deadlights, which was a sample to their fans of what to expect from the newer Gehenna material. This EP was later followed by their Moonfog debut LP, Adimiron Black.
During their tenure with Moonfog Productions, Gehenna would also release Murder 2000 and WW 2005.

In late 2005 Gehenna signed with ANP Records.

In December, 2007, Gehenna announced that the previous contract signed with ANP Records was cancelled and that Gehenna signed with Norwegian based "Indie Recordings". Dirge Rep was also announced as a full-time member.
According to a message posted by the band on their official MySpace page in June 2009, "Gehenna is currently writing new material for a yet untitled album. We hope to have it recorded by the end of 2009. Some work / track titles are : The Blooding, Melek, Stillborn, Claws of Obedience, Death's Emblem, Liber Torquere (Leviathan Rising)".

Members











• Sanrabb - Vocals, Guitars
• Dolgar - Vocals, Bass
• Amok, Guitars
• Dirge Rep, Drums

Former members

• Blod (1998-2001) - Drums
• Damien (1998-1999) - Keyboards
• Dirge Rep (Per Husebø) (1993-1997 2007-) - Drums
• E.N. Death (Frode Sivertsen) (1996-2000) - Bass
• Frost - Session Live Drums
• Kine (2000-2005) Synths
• Nekro - Guitars
• Noctifer (1996) - Bass
• S. Winter - Drums
• Sarcana / Nina (1994-1997) - Keyboards
• Sir Vereda (1993) - Drums
• Svartalv / Kenneth (1993-1996) - Bass

Discography

• Ancestor Of The Darkly Sky (EP), 1993
• Black Seared Heart (demo), Necromantic Gallery Productions 1993
• First Spell (Full-length), Head Not Found Records 1994
• Seen Through The Veils of Darkness (The Second Spell) (Full-length),

Cacophonous Records 1995

• Malice (Our Third Spell) (Full-length), Cacophonous Records 1996
• Black Seared Heart (Re-Release of BSH Demo, with bonus tracks), Holycaust

Records 1996

• Deadlights (EP), Moonfog Productions 1998
• Adimiron Black (Full-length), Moonfog Productions 1998
• Murder (Full-length), Moonfog Productions 2000
• WW (Full-length), Moonfog Productions 2005


Official page: http://www.ludewigs.net/gehenna/

http://www.myspace.com/gehennaofficial

Keep of Kalessin

• Genres: Black Metal
• Representative Albums: "Kolossus," "Armada," "Through Times of War"

Biography

During their first incarnation, Norway's Keep of Kalessin were comprised of vocalist Ghâsh, guitarist/keyboardist Obsidian C., bassist Warach, and drummer Vyl, and released a pair of quite competent -- but also rather typical -- Scandinavian black metal albums in 1997's Through Times of War and 1999's Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark. Neither LP made much of an impact outside the extreme metal scene itself, and so the bandmembers went their separate ways, as Obsidian C. (real name Arnt Grønbech) accepted a position as touring guitarist with Satyricon, while continuing to write his own songs on the side. These he eventually recorded with the help of Satyricon drummer Frost and black metal vocalist-for-hire extraordinaire Attila Csihar (Mayhem, Aborym, etc.) and released under the Keep of Kalessin name as 2003's Reclaim EP, featuring three lengthy tracks of eclectically spiced black metal. One year later, Grønbech and keyboardist Steinar Gundersen were arrested in Canada on rape accusations while touring with Satyricon, but all charges were soon dismissed as unfounded and, by 2006, Grønbech was ready to release a third full-length Keep of Kalessin CD, Armada, featuring new cohorts Thebon on vocals, Wizziac on bass, and Vyl (aka Vegard Larsen) on drums.

History:

Keep of Kalessin is a black metal band from Trondheim, Norway formed in 1993. The group's early lineup consisted of Ghash on vocals, Obsidian C. on guitars and keyboards, Warach on bass, and Vyl on drums. They released two albums under this lineup: Through Times of War in 1997, and Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark in 1999, before splitting up. Obsidian C. then toured with Satyricon, but revived the Keep of Kalessin name for a 2003 EP, Reclaim. In 2006 he reconstituted the group with a new lineup and released a third full-length, Armada. They toured with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir early in 2008. Their fourth album Kolossus was released on June 6, 2008. They take their name from Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series of books, where Kalessin is the name of the arch-dragon who is the bearer of the Earthsea world.

Obsidian C. announced in the Studio Report 4 video of Kolossus that they're already working on some new songs for the next album.


“I think we'll have maybe one week of vacation after these recording sessions are done before we start recording the next album again. We have written songs for the new album, so hopefully the fans won't need to wait more than a year between Kolossus and the next one”

Keep of Kalessin was nominated for a Spellemannprisen in the metal category in 2008.

Other than most black metal bands, Keep of Kalessin is in its harshness still melodical and technical oriented. Unlike the traditional Norwegian black metal, Keep of Kalessin also makes use of other instruments like the piano, keyboards and synthesizers. They started experimenting with a new sound which gave Keep of Kalessin its new character after Obsidian C. recruited the new band-members Thebon, Wizziac and Vyl for their album Armada in 2006, the follow-up after Reclaim in 2003. Before Reclaim, the band had a much darker and colder character because of the different line-up they had back in the days. The line-up split in 2000, though Obsidian C. still wanted to make something of the band and the split-up wasn't the end of the band yet. He wanted to give Keep of Kalessin a unique character and developed its music and improved himself too as a musician and lyrics writer, but the band still needed a drummer which could keep up with his riffing and he couldn't find one in Trondheim. After nearly 3 years, the band Satyricon was in the need of a guitarist and Obsidian C. participated in the auditions and "played the ass off" some other 30 guitarists who also had applied for the job. He made it to the band and came in contact with one of the most renowned, fast and brutal black metal drummers, Frost.

Obsidian C. didn't give up on Keep of Kalessin and as soon as Frost heard its material, without hesitation, he immediately said yes when Obsidian C. asked him to do the drumming on his new EP. As the band's new guitarist, Obsidian C. also toured with the band and this made it possible to recruit Attila Csihar for his EP to do the vocals. This new line-up recorded Keep of Kalessin's new EP Reclaim and sky-rocketed the band into the elite black metal scene of Norway. But the line-up did not last and fell apart because of the distances between the band members. Still, this would not stop Obsidian C. and he was more and more determined to bring Keep of Kalessin to the masses. As part of Satyricon he toured a lot with the band and understood that touring is a must to promote a band. Not much later he teamed up with a new drummer he found, Vyl who had no difficulties to keep up with Obsidian C.'s fast riffing and became part of the band. Now the band still needed a vocalist and preferably a bassist as well. This is when Thebon and Wizziac became part of the band as the band's new vocalist and bassist.

Together, with Torstein Parelius - the lyric writer from their EP Reclaim - the new line-up spend 2 years to prepare and record their next album entitled Armada. This elevated the band up a higher place in the elite black metal scene of Norway and the band finally had a line-up which could last and made the band even more promising than before.

This same line-up recorded in 2007 the new album Kolossus which released in the summer of 2008, demonstrating the band improved their sound after the well received and highly acclaimed release Armada in 2006 which even got some good attention from the more mainstream masses in Norway. This resulted in nomination for the Spellemannprisen in the metal category in 2008. In Kolossus they started to experiment more with different instruments and the band indeed created a unique character for Keep of Kalessin as we now know it.

Discography


Studio releases

• Through Times of War (1997)
• Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark (1999)
• Armada (2006)
• Kolossus (2008)

Extended plays

• Reclaim (2003)

Demos

• Skygger av Sorg (1996)

Band members



Current members

• Arnt "Obsidian C." Grønbech - guitars, synths
• Torbjørn "Thebon" Schei - vocals
• Robin "Wizziac" Isaksen - bass
• Vegar "Vyl" Larsen - drums

Former members

• Attila Csihar - Vocals - (Reclaim EP)
• Frost (Kjetil Haraldstad) - Drums - (Reclaim EP)
• Ghâsh - Vocals - (1996-1999)
• Warach (Øyvind A.Winther) - Bass - (1996-1999)
• Cernunnus (Tor-Helge Skei) - Live guitars
• Kesh - Session Bass


http://s15.zetaboards.com/Keep_Of_Kalessin/index/ Official Page
http://www.myspace.com/keepofkalessin

The Funeral Pyre

Formed: 2001
Genre(s): Blackened Death Metal
Representative albums: Immersed by the Flames of Mankind, Wounds




The Funeral Pyre is a blackened death metal band from La Habra, California, United States. The band has released three studio albums, two EPs, and two split 7" albums, and consists of guitarists James Joyce and Justin Garcia, vocalist John Strachan, drummer Alex Hernandez, and bassist Adam Campbell.

History

Formed under the name Envilent in 2001, The Funeral Pyre was formed in La Habra, California and entered the underground extreme music scenes in both LA and Orange counties. The Funeral Pyre has gained acclaim amongst metal internet press outlets for its Swedish-style melody, ethereal keyboards, and blackened vocals.

Several demos and an early EP were released under the bands former moniker, Envilent, until the independent release of the 2003 EP, October, when the band changed their name to The Funeral Pyre. Soon, the band released its first full length album, Immersed by the Flames of Mankind in 2004, and a merger between Oregon's Leech and The Funeral Pyre was released in 2006, with limited quantities as a split 7" called The First Book Of The Kings, released through Forest Moon Special Products.

The band released their second full length album The Nature of Betrayal on August 22, 2006, recorded at Ulug studios in Costa Mesa, California through Creator-Destructor Records, an independent California based recording studio. In a distribution deal with Prosthetic Records, The Nature of Betrayal was re-released on March 20, 2007, due to decent success on the internet.

Recorded in January and February with producer John Haddad, Wounds was mixed by Erik Rutan and mastered by Alan Douches and was released on May 27, 2008. This was the first album to not feature long time keyboardist, Daniella Jones, who was released by the band for "musical differences", and was in turn replaced by a second guitarist, Justin Garcia. However, the band suffered another loss when Garcia left the band, but soon was replaced by Lanny Perelman, formally of Cerberus, who, left the band as well. The band has more closely embraced black metal entirely with the release of Wounds, as well as later works.

The band released December, mixed and mastered by Ryan Butler at Arcane Digital Recording during December 2008, a limited EP distributed by Creator-Destructor on March 10, 2009. A 7" split with Landmine Marathon was released shortly after through Forest Moon Special Products, showcasing a cover of short lived German act, ACME's song "Attempt", as well as another original song.

The band has their fourth studio album planned to be due sometime in 2010, and former guitarist Justin Garcia is expected to be joining the band for the fifth album.


Current members




• Jimmy Joyce - Guitar
• Alex Hernandez - Drums
• John Strachan - Vocals
• Adam Campbell - Bass
• Justin Garcia - Guitar

Discography

Studio albums

• 2004: Immersed by the Flames of Mankind
• 2006: The Nature of Betrayal
• 2008: Wounds

Singles & EPs

• 2002: Whispering to the Shadows EP
• 2003: October EP
• 2009: December EP

Live & other albums

• 2006: The First Book of the Kings (Split EP)
• 2009: The Funeral Pyre/Landmine Marathon (Split EP)

http://www.myspace.com/thefuneralpyre

Malevolent Creation

• Genres: Death Metal
• Representative Albums: "The Ten Commandments," "Eternal," "Retribution"
• Representative Songs: "Impaled Existence," "No Salvation," "Slaughter of Innocence"




Biography

Arising from the death metal hotbed of Florida in the early '90s (but originally from Buffalo, NY), Malevolent Creation tend to be somewhat overlooked in discussions of groups who helped define the sound and style of American death metal. Initially inspired by the sonic and lyrical extremity of Slayer, the group landed a deal with Roadrunner Records at the dawn of the '90s, featuring a lineup of vocalist Brett Hoffmann, guitarists Phil Fasciana and Jeff Juskiewicz, bassist Jason Blachowicz, and drummer Mark Simpson. Their 1991 debut album, The Ten Commandments, became something of a landmark in the death metal underground, expanding on the early work of Slayer and fellow Floridians Death. Its sequel, 1992's Retribution, was just as strong, featuring two new members added from Solstice -- guitarist Rob Barrett (who replaced Juskiewicz) and drummer Alex Marquez. Barrett and Marquez were replaced by John Rubin (who had been in a very early lineup of the band) and "Crazy" Larry Hawke for 1993's Stillborn, which disappointed many of the group's faithful and signaled an acrimonious end to their relationship with Roadrunner. Those label difficulties nearly broke the band apart, but they eventually resurfaced on Pavement Music with a more progressive, technical approach and an even more revamped lineup on 1995's Eternal. Hoffmann was gone, with the vocals now handled by bassist Blachowicz, while guitarists Fasciana and Rubin were joined by ex-Suffocation drummer Dave Culross. The remixes/outtakes/demos collection Joe Black appeared in 1996, followed the next year by In Cold Blood, which featured guitarist John Paul Soars taking Rubin's place, and drummer Derik Roddy replacing Culross. For 1998's The Fine Art of Murder, Fasciana (now doubling on keyboards) brought vocalist Hoffmann, guitarist Barret, and drummer Culross back to the fold, along with new bassist Gordon Simms. The Pavement label retrospective, Manifestation, appeared in 2000, followed towards the end of the year by the all-new Envenomed. The sequel to Envenomed came out two years later, followed a few months later by drummer Justin DiPinto's last album with the group, The Will to Kill.

History

Malevolent Creation is a death metal band originally hailing from Buffalo, New York. Moving to Florida in 1988, they became a part of the emergent local death metal scene, landing a deal with Roadrunner Records. Their debut album, The Ten Commandments, became something of a landmark in the death metal underground, expanding on the early work of Slayer and fellow Floridians Death.

According to a series of posts published at blabbermouth.net, Phil Fasciana claimed (via several emails he sent to Blabbermouth.net) he was involved in a shootout in which he shot and killed a man who he says was robbing a store he was in.

Members



Current members

• Bret Hoffmann – vocals
• Marco Martell – guitars
• Phil Fasciana – guitars
• Gio Geraca – bass guitar
• Gus Rios – drums

Former members

• Peter Tägtgren - guitars
• Jim Nickles – guitars
• Kyle Symons – vocals
• Jeff Juszkiewicz – guitars
• Rob Barrett – guitars
• John Paul Soars – guitars
• Jason Hagan – guitar
• Gordon Simms – bass guitar
• Jason Blachowicz – bass guitar
• Justin DiPinto – drums
• Alex Marquez – drums
• Mark Simpson – drums
• Dave Culross – drums
• David Kinkade - drums
• Derek Roddy - drums
• Fabian Aguirre - drums

Discography

Studio Albums

• The Ten Commandments, (Roadrunner Records, 1991)
• Retribution (Roadrunner Records, 1992)
• Stillborn (Roadrunner Records, 1993)
• Eternal (Pavement Music, 1995)
• In Cold Blood (Pavement Music, 1997)
• The Fine Art of Murder (Pavement Music, 1998)
• Envenomed (Arctic Music, 2000)
• The Will to Kill (Arctic Music, 2002)
• Warkult (Nuclear Blast, 2004)
• Doomsday X (Nuclear Blast, 2007)

Live Albums

• Conquering South America (Arctic Music), 2004)
• Live at the Whiskey (Arctic Music, 2008)

Compilations

• Joe Black (Pavement Music, 1996)
• Manifestation – Compilation (Pavement Music, 2000)
• The Best of Malevolent Creation (Roadrunner, 2003)
• Retrospective (Crash Music, 2005)
• Essentials (Crash Music, 2009)

DVD
• Lost Commandments (Massacre Records, 2008)

http://www.myspace.com/malevolentcreation

Obituary

• Formed: 1985, Tampa, FL
• Genres: Rock
• Representative Albums: "The End Complete," "Anthology," "Slowly We Rot"
• Representative Songs: "Chopped in Half," "Slowly We Rot," "Internal Bleeding"





Biography

Possessed and Death may have brought death metal to life, but Obituary brought it to fruition. After releasing some demos as Xecutioner as far back as 1986, the five-man band debuted as Obituary on Roadrunner Records in 1989 with Slowly We Rot, and in a word, the album was landmark. The previous forays into what would quickly become tagged as death metal -- primarily by the above-mentioned bands, Possessed and Death, along with grindcore innovators Repulsion and Napalm Death -- were exercises in relentlessness.
These bands took the breakneck abandon of Slayer's Reign in Blood one step further, to the point of sheer, sometimes even ridiculous musical abandon. Obituary, on the other hand, varied their tempo considerably -- and did so at the absolute height of speed metal nonetheless. Yes, the band could play at breakneck speed, but within the same song, guitarists Allen West and Trevor Peres could slow the tempo down to dirge-like levels in a moment's notice, all the while keeping the music as heavy as hell thanks to down-tuned guitars and the snarling vocals of John Tardy. As a result, Slowly We Rot made quite a splash back in 1989, influencing an entire legion of death metal bands in Florida: Morbid Angel, Deicide, Malevolent Creation, Cannibal Corpse, and numerous others now forgotten among the thousands of international bands that followed. In a way, Slowly We Rot was the prototypical death metal album, establishing a template that would come to define the style (one that is distinct from grindcore or black metal, it should be pointed out). A few albums followed -- Cause of Death (1990) and The End Complete (1992) both also very influential -- but by the mid-'90s Obituary had run its course and the band splintered, reuniting now and then. Yet even as the bandmembers went their seperate ways (most notably West going on to much success as the guitarist of Six Feet Under), Obituary continued to stand tall as one of the definitive death metal bands, if not the definitive (a distinction that probably goes to Death, whose James Murphy actually was a bandmember for a while). Their latest, Xecutioners Return was released in August 2007 on the Candleight label.

History

Obituary is an American death metal band formed in 1985 in Tampa, Florida under the name Xecutioner and later renamed to Obituary. The band comprises vocalist John Tardy, drummer Donald Tardy, guitarists Trevor Peres and Ralph Santolla and bassist Frank Watkins. The band is a fundamental act in the development of death metal music and one of the most successful bands in its genre.



Founded as Xecutioner in Seffner, Florida during 1985, at the time the band was composed of John Tardy (vocals), Allen West (lead guitar), Trevor Peres (guitar), Jerome Grable (bass) & Donald Tardy (drums). They made their vinyl debut in 1987 with two tracks (Find The Arise & Like The Dead) on the Raging Death compilation. Not long after its release Grable was replaced with bassist Daniel Tucker. Shortly before the release of its first album the following year, "Slowly We Rot", they changed their name to Obituary. The band still remains an influential band of the Florida death metal movement that arose in the late 1980s. The 1990 release Cause of Death has been described as a seminal album in the genre, and vocalist John Tardy is recognized as one of the first vocalists to use an abnormally low growl (compared to the screechy growls used by predecessors Death and Possessed). Obituary is listed by Nielsen Soundscan as the fifth best-selling death metal band of all time and its albums have sold 368,184 copies; their 1992 release The End Complete has sold more than 103,378 copies in the United States alone.

After 1997's Back from the Dead album, the band had grown tired of touring, which led to the band disbanding. During the hiatus, Donald Tardy played in Andrew W.K.'s touring band (during W.K.'s appearance on Saturday Night Live Tardy wore an Obituary shirt). Allen West focused on his two projects, Lowbrow and Six Feet Under while not playing in Obituary. Trevor Peres formed Catastrophic in 2001, which released one album, The Cleansing, in that same year. Obituary reformed in 2003 and Catastrophic continued to exist alongside the reformed Obituary. A reunion album, Frozen in Time, was released in 2005. The band's first live DVD, Frozen Alive, was released in January 2007.

Obituary is currently signed with Candlelight Records for its Xecutioner's Return (2007) and an EP, Left to Die (2008). The band has finished recording their next album, Darkest Day, which was released on June 30, 2009. A concert DVD release was also announced for June 2009.

Obituary's guitarist, Allen West, was imprisoned for DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) and released in January 2008. During his incarceration, Ralph Santolla served as West's replacement. It is uncertain whether or not West will be returning to the band.

Members



Current members

• John Tardy - vocals (1984–1997, 2003–present)
• Donald Tardy - drums (1984–1997, 2003–present)
• Trevor Peres - rhythm guitar (1984–1997, 2003–present)
• Frank Watkins - bass guitar (1989–1997, 2003–present)
• Ralph Santolla - lead guitar (2007–Present)

Former members

• Allen West - lead guitar (1984–1989, 1992–1997, 2003–2006)
• Jerome Grable - bass (1984-1988)
• James Murphy - lead guitar (1990)
• Daniel Tucker - bass guitar (1988–1989)

Discography

Studio albums

• Slowly We Rot (1989)
• Cause of Death (1990)
• The End Complete (1992)
• World Demise (1994)
• Back from the Dead (1997)
• Frozen in Time (2005)
• Xecutioner's Return (2007)
• Darkest Day (2009)

Live albums

Dead (1998)


Compilation albums

• Anthology (2001)
• The Best of Obituary (2008)

EPs

• Don't Care (1994)
• Left to Die (2008)

Video albums

• Frozen Alive (2006)
• Live Xecution in Bad Berka 2008 (2009)

http://www.obituary.cc/ Official page
http://www.myspace.com/obituary

Hades Almighty

• Genres: Rock
• Representative Albums: "Millenium Nocturne," "Pulse of Decay"



Biography

Norwegian black metal band Hades Almighty was formed in 1992 by Janto Garmanslund (vocals/bass/keyboards), Jørn Inge Tunsberg (guitar/keyboards), Stig Hagenes (guitar), and Remi (drums), and has since released a string of independent releases dedicated to the form's more primal, gothic and atavistic pursuits. These include 1994's ...Again Shall Be, 1996's Alone Walkyng EP, 1997's The Dawn of the Dying Sun, 1999's Millenium Nocturne, and 2001's The Pulse of Decay -- the last of which was recorded sans the recently departed Hagenes.

History:

Hades Almighty are a black metal band hailing from Bergen, Norway. They were formed in 1992, originally under the moniker Hades. They were forced to change their name to Hades Almighty in 1998, following complaints from an American band with a prior claim to the name.

Hades were formed in Bergen, Norway in 1992 by former Immortal guitarist Jørn Inge Tunsberg and ex-Dark drummer Remi; they were later joined by Janto Garmanslund on bass and second guitarist Wilhelm Nagel. Their first demo, Alone Walkyng, was recorded in June 1993 at Grieghallen and produced by Pytten; this demo was later to be re-released on CD through the Italian label Wounded Love in 1996. In 1993, Tunsberg was convicted, along with fellow black metal musician Varg Vikernes (of Burzum), for the burning of a Norwegian church in Åsane, which led to a prison sentence.[citation needed] Following the release of the demo, the band signed with Full Moon Productions and recorded their first album ,...Again Shall Be, again at Grieghallen, in June/July 1994. Around this time, they also replaced Nagel with Stig Hagenes on second guitar.

Hades recorded their second album Dawn of the Dying Sun at Grieghallen in 1996, which was released through Full Moon in 1997. The band supported the release of this album with extensive touring throughout Europe, as well as in Mexico and the USA.[1] In 1998 the band was forced to change their name from Hades to Hades Almighty, following complaints from an American act already with a prior claim to the name. Following the name-change, the band began working on their next album, as well as playing at the Wacken Open Air festival.

In September 1998 the band released entered Prolog Studios (Dortmund, Germany) to record Millenium Nocturne, released under license from Nuclear Blast through Hammerheart. They toured Europe to support of the album with Immortal and Benediction, and a separate spate of gigs in the Benelux region with Mayhem and Primordial. Their fourth album Pulse of Decay was released in 2001 through Psycho Bitch Records. Hades Almighty signed a management contract with Khaoz Productions in 2003, and a record deal with Dark Essence Records in 2004; the label re-released Pulse of Decay in 2004 with bonus tracks (including a cover of Manowar's "Each Dawn I Die") and a DVD section including the video for the band's own track "Submission Equals Suicide".

Members



Current line-up

• Jan Otto "Janto" Garmanslund (vocals/bass/keyboards)
• Jørn Inge Tunsberg (guitar/keyboards)
• Remi (drums / backing vocals)

Past members

• Wilhelm Nagel (guitar, 1993-1994)
• Stig Hagenes (guitar, 1994-1999)

Discography

As Hades

• Alone Walkyng (demo, 1993; re-released 1996 by Wounded Love)
• ...Again Shall Be (Full Moon Productions, 1994)
• Split with Katatonia (Mystic Production, 1996)
• Dawn of the Dying Sun (Full Moon Productions, 1997)

As Hades Almighty

• Millenium Nocturne (Hammerheart, 1999)
• The Pulse Of Decay (Psycho Bitch Records, 2001; re-released 2004 by Dark Essence)

http://www.hades-almighty.com/ Official Page
http://www.myspace.com/hadesalmightynorway