Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal
band, and is regarded as one of the forefathers of the black metal and
founder of viking metal. The band's name is taken from the infamous
"blood countess," Elizabeth Báthory.
Bathory was formed in Stockholm in 1983, for fun, by the then 18-year-old Quorthon. After various names and numerous line-up changes, the group finally settled on Bathory. Contrary to popular belief, Bathory never released a split demo with Celtic Frost; their first recording deal came that same year, when Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack. The tracks which he recorded gained unexpected attention by fans. Soon afterward, Tyfon Grammofon contacted Quorthon and asked him to record a full-length album.
Although Venom's Black Metal (1982) was the first record to coin the term, it was Bathory's early albums, featuring Satanic lyrics, low-fi production and an inhuman vocal style, that defined the genre. On a further note, many fans have thought that Venom was an influence on Bathory, however Quorthon has said that he never even owned a Venom record, and had only heard a few songs (this is a matter of contention along with the obvious Manowar influence on later viking era albums which was also denied). Nevertheless, Quorthon took influences from such bands as GBH, Black Sabbath and Motorhead and took them to a whole new level entirely. Bathory's subsequent releases, the self-titled debut, The Return and Under the Sign of the Black Mark are now regarded as major influences on the Norwegian bands which extended Black Metal's musical progression and popularity in the beginning of the 1990s.
The first signs of what was to follow appeared on what some fans consider to be Bathory's best album: Blood Fire Death, where on some of the tracks the pace had slowed down to allow for a more epic songwriting approach. It was also here that the Viking theme was introduced. Most of the musical elements of Black Metal were still present, however. It was with the release of Hammerheart that Bathory surprised many of its fans. The style had now drastically changed towards less aggressive, more epic and atmospheric music; the lyrics dealt with themes about Vikings and Scandinavia's Norse mythology. The album also featured the usage of the "triplet gallop beat", which has its roots in bands like Manowar, whos first four albums use this type of beat extensively. Also (early) Manowar seemed to be an influence on the choir vocals that Quorthon was now employing as well (as well as the lyrical content). Bathory had become pioneers in yet another genre within the world of extreme music—that of Viking Metal. The style of Hammerheart was further perfected on the subsequent Twilight of the Gods and Blood on Ice.
With 1994's Requiem, Bathory changed style once more, this time turning to vicious retro-thrash in the vein of 1980s Bay area thrash bands. In recent years, critics have seen Bathory's output as increasingly erratic, as the band has returned again to Viking themes and, with the Nordland albums of 2002 and 2003, largely abandoned the retro-thrash sound of the mid-1990s in favour his more popular, more epic style for which he is best known.
Bathory have been cited as an influence by musicians as diverse as Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Cradle of Filth, Eric Hoffman and Brian Hoffman of Deicide, Black Crucifixion, Beherit, and Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins,Opeth and Dimmu Borgir. An early member of the band was Jonas Åkerlund, the music video and film director.
In June, 2004, Quorthon was found dead in his home, apparently of a heart failure.
On June 3, 2006, Black Mark Records released a box set in tribute to Quorthon containing three CDs of his favorite Bathory & Quorthon songs, a 176 page booklet, a DVD with his long-form video for One Rode To Asa Bay also containing an interview and some rare promo footage and an 11x14 poster.
A Bathory tribute album was made by various black metal artists, entitled In Conspiracy with Satan: A Tribute to Bathory.
Discography:
Studio albums
- Bathory (1984)
- The Return (1985)
- Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987)
- Blood Fire Death (1988)
- Hammerheart (1990)
- Twilight of the Gods (1991)
- Requiem (1994)
- Octagon (1995)
- Blood On Ice (1996)
- Destroyer of Worlds (2001)
- Nordland I (2002)
- Nordland II (2003)
Compilations albums
- Jubileum Volume I (1993)
- Jubileum Volume II (1993)
- Jubileum Volume III (1998)
- Katalog (2003)
- In Memory of Quorthon (Box Set; 2006)
Bootlegs
- The True Black Essence
Music videos
- 1990 "One Rode to Asa Bay"
Members:
- Quorthon (Tomas Forsberg) - Guitars, Vocals, Music and Lyrics
- Freddan (Fredrick Hanoi) - Bass (1983-1984)
- Jonas Åkerlund (Vans McBurger) - Drums (1983-1984)
- Vvornth - Drums (1989-1991)
- Kothaar - Bass (1989-1991)
- The Animal - Vocals (1983)
From: www.en.wikipedia.org and www.bathory-hordes.com
Bathory was formed in Stockholm in 1983, for fun, by the then 18-year-old Quorthon. After various names and numerous line-up changes, the group finally settled on Bathory. Contrary to popular belief, Bathory never released a split demo with Celtic Frost; their first recording deal came that same year, when Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack. The tracks which he recorded gained unexpected attention by fans. Soon afterward, Tyfon Grammofon contacted Quorthon and asked him to record a full-length album.
Although Venom's Black Metal (1982) was the first record to coin the term, it was Bathory's early albums, featuring Satanic lyrics, low-fi production and an inhuman vocal style, that defined the genre. On a further note, many fans have thought that Venom was an influence on Bathory, however Quorthon has said that he never even owned a Venom record, and had only heard a few songs (this is a matter of contention along with the obvious Manowar influence on later viking era albums which was also denied). Nevertheless, Quorthon took influences from such bands as GBH, Black Sabbath and Motorhead and took them to a whole new level entirely. Bathory's subsequent releases, the self-titled debut, The Return and Under the Sign of the Black Mark are now regarded as major influences on the Norwegian bands which extended Black Metal's musical progression and popularity in the beginning of the 1990s.
The first signs of what was to follow appeared on what some fans consider to be Bathory's best album: Blood Fire Death, where on some of the tracks the pace had slowed down to allow for a more epic songwriting approach. It was also here that the Viking theme was introduced. Most of the musical elements of Black Metal were still present, however. It was with the release of Hammerheart that Bathory surprised many of its fans. The style had now drastically changed towards less aggressive, more epic and atmospheric music; the lyrics dealt with themes about Vikings and Scandinavia's Norse mythology. The album also featured the usage of the "triplet gallop beat", which has its roots in bands like Manowar, whos first four albums use this type of beat extensively. Also (early) Manowar seemed to be an influence on the choir vocals that Quorthon was now employing as well (as well as the lyrical content). Bathory had become pioneers in yet another genre within the world of extreme music—that of Viking Metal. The style of Hammerheart was further perfected on the subsequent Twilight of the Gods and Blood on Ice.
With 1994's Requiem, Bathory changed style once more, this time turning to vicious retro-thrash in the vein of 1980s Bay area thrash bands. In recent years, critics have seen Bathory's output as increasingly erratic, as the band has returned again to Viking themes and, with the Nordland albums of 2002 and 2003, largely abandoned the retro-thrash sound of the mid-1990s in favour his more popular, more epic style for which he is best known.
Bathory have been cited as an influence by musicians as diverse as Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Cradle of Filth, Eric Hoffman and Brian Hoffman of Deicide, Black Crucifixion, Beherit, and Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins,Opeth and Dimmu Borgir. An early member of the band was Jonas Åkerlund, the music video and film director.
In June, 2004, Quorthon was found dead in his home, apparently of a heart failure.
On June 3, 2006, Black Mark Records released a box set in tribute to Quorthon containing three CDs of his favorite Bathory & Quorthon songs, a 176 page booklet, a DVD with his long-form video for One Rode To Asa Bay also containing an interview and some rare promo footage and an 11x14 poster.
A Bathory tribute album was made by various black metal artists, entitled In Conspiracy with Satan: A Tribute to Bathory.
Discography:
Studio albums
- Bathory (1984)
- The Return (1985)
- Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987)
- Blood Fire Death (1988)
- Hammerheart (1990)
- Twilight of the Gods (1991)
- Requiem (1994)
- Octagon (1995)
- Blood On Ice (1996)
- Destroyer of Worlds (2001)
- Nordland I (2002)
- Nordland II (2003)
Compilations albums
- Jubileum Volume I (1993)
- Jubileum Volume II (1993)
- Jubileum Volume III (1998)
- Katalog (2003)
- In Memory of Quorthon (Box Set; 2006)
Bootlegs
- The True Black Essence
Music videos
- 1990 "One Rode to Asa Bay"
Members:
- Quorthon (Tomas Forsberg) - Guitars, Vocals, Music and Lyrics
- Freddan (Fredrick Hanoi) - Bass (1983-1984)
- Jonas Åkerlund (Vans McBurger) - Drums (1983-1984)
- Vvornth - Drums (1989-1991)
- Kothaar - Bass (1989-1991)
- The Animal - Vocals (1983)
From: www.en.wikipedia.org and www.bathory-hordes.com
Sodom's original line-up
consisted of Tom Angelripper, Chris Witchhunter and Aggressor. Taking
inspiration from bands such as Motörhead and Venom, they released two
demos which led to a record deal with Steamhammer. Aggressor left the
band shortly before releasing the In the Sign of Evil EP (generally
regarded as an important early black metal release), and was replaced
by Grave Violator, who did not last long himself. On the debut album
Obsessed by Cruelty he was replaced by Destructor. After the release
however, Destructor left Sodom to join Kreator.
Thereafter, their breakthrough album Persecution Mania was released with yet another guitarist, Frank Blackfire. A live album Mortal Way of Live followed. The next album made Sodom famous: Agent Orange, released in 1989. This album managed to sell 100,000 copies in Germany alone. Since then, Sodom is one of the three big names of German Thrash metal. The others are Kreator and Destruction. Again, a new guitarist was to be found as Blackfire also left the band to join Kreator. The replacement was found in Michael Hoffman.
In this line-up the Better Off Dead album was released in 1990. During the South American tour however, Hoffman decided to stay in Brazil and therefore was forced to quit. His replacement was found in Andy Brings and a new album was recorded, titled Tapping the Vein, which was more death metal influenced than before. This proved to be the last album with the drummer Witchhunter who was kicked from the band. Atomic Steif found his way behind the drumkit.
This line-up now, recorded the next album, Get What You Deserve. Out were the death metal influence, in came the hardcore influences. Get What You Deserve had an arguably grotesque album cover and many fans were disappointed with the new direction. Also, this marked the beginning of less international visibility for Sodom as thrash lost its commercial viability for the remainder of the 1990s. At this time Angelripper also started a solo career doing metal impressions of drinking songs, German schlagers and even Xmassy Carols. Another live album was recorded of the tour in support of this album called Marooned - Live.
In the same vein as the previous album, Masquerade in Blood was released in 1995. Again another guitarist was to be found. The new axeman was Strahli, but he did not stay very long with the band either; he was fired due to drug problems. Also Atomic Steif left and again Angelripper needed to search for new members. These were found in the person of Bernemann on guitars and Bobby Schottkowski on drums. Apparently this line-up has stabilized the band significantly and is still current.
The album 'Til Death Do Us Unite featured a controversial album cover, depicting the belly a pregnant woman and a beer gut of a man pressing a human skull together. Stylistically, it continues along the lines of Masquerade in Blood. However, in 1999 Code Red was released and formed a return to the sound of the 1980s thrash metal. A limited edition featured a bonus CD containing a tribute to Sodom album called Homage to the Gods. In the same vein, M-16 was released displaying Sodoms interest in the Vietnam War. The title of course refers to the automatic rifle M16. A tour followed with the other two big German thrash metal bands Kreator and Destruction. The band carried on the thrash metal style from the previous album.
In 2003, a double live album was recorded in Bangkok, Thailand, titled One Night in Bangkok. A new album simply titled Sodom was released in 2006, in the same vein as its predecessors Code Red and M-16. The title was chosen as Angelripper explained because every band needs a self-titled album. The album was however delayed because the DVD Lords of Depravity took more time to compose that initial thought.
Members:
Current members
- Tom Angelripper (Thomas Such, Onkel Tom) - Vocals/Bass (Desperados)
- Bobby Schottkowski - Drums (ex-Crows, ex-Tom Angelripper)
- Bernemann (Bernd Kost) - Guitars (ex-Crows)
Former members
- Aggressor (Frank Testegen) - Guitars (1983-1984)
- Grave Violator (Pepi Dominic) - Guitars (1984-1985)
- Destructor (Michael Wulf) - Guitars (later Kreator) (1985-1986) R.I.P. in 1993.
- Assator (Uwe Christophers) - Guitars (ex-Darkness (Ger)) (on tour in 1986)
- Frank Blackfire (Frank Gosdzik) - Guitars (later Mystic (Bra) and Kreator) (1987-1989, special appearance in the December 28, 2006 concert in Bochum)
- Uwe Baltrusch - Guitars (on tour in 1989/1990) (also in Mekong Delta, later House of Spirits)
- Michael Hoffman - Guitars (ex-Assassin (Ger)) (1990)
- Andy Brings - Guitars (later Powergod) (1991-1995)
- Strahli (Dirk Strahlimeier) - Guitars (1995-1996)
-Chris Witchhunter (Christian Dudeck) - Drums (1983-1992) (see also Destruction and Bathory)
- Atomic Steif (Guido Richter) - Drums (later Stahlträger and Assassin (Ger), ex-Sacred Chao, ex-Holy Moses, ex-Living Death, ex-Brotós)
Discography:
- Witching Metal (Demo) 1983
- Victims of Death (Demo) 1984
- In the Sign of Evil (EP) 1984
- Obsessed by Cruelty 1986
- Expurse of Sodomy (EP) 1987
- Persecution Mania 1987
- Mortal Way of Live (live album) 1988
- Agent Orange 1989
- Ausgebombt (EP) 1989
- Better off Dead 1990
- The Saw Is the Law (EP) 1991
- Tapping the Vein 1992
- Aber Bitte mit Sahne (EP) 1993
- Get What You Deserve 1994
- Marooned Live (live album) 1994
- Masquerade in Blood 1995
- Ten Black Years - Best Of 1996
- 'Til Death Do Us Unite 1997
- Code Red 1999
- M-16 2001
- One Night in Bangkok (live album) 2003
- Lords of Depravity Part I (double DVD, 2005)
- Sodom - 2006
- Lords of Depravity Part II - TBA
From: http://en.wikipedia.org and http://sodomized.info
Thereafter, their breakthrough album Persecution Mania was released with yet another guitarist, Frank Blackfire. A live album Mortal Way of Live followed. The next album made Sodom famous: Agent Orange, released in 1989. This album managed to sell 100,000 copies in Germany alone. Since then, Sodom is one of the three big names of German Thrash metal. The others are Kreator and Destruction. Again, a new guitarist was to be found as Blackfire also left the band to join Kreator. The replacement was found in Michael Hoffman.
In this line-up the Better Off Dead album was released in 1990. During the South American tour however, Hoffman decided to stay in Brazil and therefore was forced to quit. His replacement was found in Andy Brings and a new album was recorded, titled Tapping the Vein, which was more death metal influenced than before. This proved to be the last album with the drummer Witchhunter who was kicked from the band. Atomic Steif found his way behind the drumkit.
This line-up now, recorded the next album, Get What You Deserve. Out were the death metal influence, in came the hardcore influences. Get What You Deserve had an arguably grotesque album cover and many fans were disappointed with the new direction. Also, this marked the beginning of less international visibility for Sodom as thrash lost its commercial viability for the remainder of the 1990s. At this time Angelripper also started a solo career doing metal impressions of drinking songs, German schlagers and even Xmassy Carols. Another live album was recorded of the tour in support of this album called Marooned - Live.
In the same vein as the previous album, Masquerade in Blood was released in 1995. Again another guitarist was to be found. The new axeman was Strahli, but he did not stay very long with the band either; he was fired due to drug problems. Also Atomic Steif left and again Angelripper needed to search for new members. These were found in the person of Bernemann on guitars and Bobby Schottkowski on drums. Apparently this line-up has stabilized the band significantly and is still current.
The album 'Til Death Do Us Unite featured a controversial album cover, depicting the belly a pregnant woman and a beer gut of a man pressing a human skull together. Stylistically, it continues along the lines of Masquerade in Blood. However, in 1999 Code Red was released and formed a return to the sound of the 1980s thrash metal. A limited edition featured a bonus CD containing a tribute to Sodom album called Homage to the Gods. In the same vein, M-16 was released displaying Sodoms interest in the Vietnam War. The title of course refers to the automatic rifle M16. A tour followed with the other two big German thrash metal bands Kreator and Destruction. The band carried on the thrash metal style from the previous album.
In 2003, a double live album was recorded in Bangkok, Thailand, titled One Night in Bangkok. A new album simply titled Sodom was released in 2006, in the same vein as its predecessors Code Red and M-16. The title was chosen as Angelripper explained because every band needs a self-titled album. The album was however delayed because the DVD Lords of Depravity took more time to compose that initial thought.
Members:
Current members
- Tom Angelripper (Thomas Such, Onkel Tom) - Vocals/Bass (Desperados)
- Bobby Schottkowski - Drums (ex-Crows, ex-Tom Angelripper)
- Bernemann (Bernd Kost) - Guitars (ex-Crows)
Former members
- Aggressor (Frank Testegen) - Guitars (1983-1984)
- Grave Violator (Pepi Dominic) - Guitars (1984-1985)
- Destructor (Michael Wulf) - Guitars (later Kreator) (1985-1986) R.I.P. in 1993.
- Assator (Uwe Christophers) - Guitars (ex-Darkness (Ger)) (on tour in 1986)
- Frank Blackfire (Frank Gosdzik) - Guitars (later Mystic (Bra) and Kreator) (1987-1989, special appearance in the December 28, 2006 concert in Bochum)
- Uwe Baltrusch - Guitars (on tour in 1989/1990) (also in Mekong Delta, later House of Spirits)
- Michael Hoffman - Guitars (ex-Assassin (Ger)) (1990)
- Andy Brings - Guitars (later Powergod) (1991-1995)
- Strahli (Dirk Strahlimeier) - Guitars (1995-1996)
-Chris Witchhunter (Christian Dudeck) - Drums (1983-1992) (see also Destruction and Bathory)
- Atomic Steif (Guido Richter) - Drums (later Stahlträger and Assassin (Ger), ex-Sacred Chao, ex-Holy Moses, ex-Living Death, ex-Brotós)
Discography:
- Witching Metal (Demo) 1983
- Victims of Death (Demo) 1984
- In the Sign of Evil (EP) 1984
- Obsessed by Cruelty 1986
- Expurse of Sodomy (EP) 1987
- Persecution Mania 1987
- Mortal Way of Live (live album) 1988
- Agent Orange 1989
- Ausgebombt (EP) 1989
- Better off Dead 1990
- The Saw Is the Law (EP) 1991
- Tapping the Vein 1992
- Aber Bitte mit Sahne (EP) 1993
- Get What You Deserve 1994
- Marooned Live (live album) 1994
- Masquerade in Blood 1995
- Ten Black Years - Best Of 1996
- 'Til Death Do Us Unite 1997
- Code Red 1999
- M-16 2001
- One Night in Bangkok (live album) 2003
- Lords of Depravity Part I (double DVD, 2005)
- Sodom - 2006
- Lords of Depravity Part II - TBA
From: http://en.wikipedia.org and http://sodomized.info
AUGURY began in the winter of 2001/2002 when lead/classical guitarist Mathieu Marcotte left his band Spasme and started auditioning a string of drummers to seriously start a complete outfit. Shortly after, he was joined by soprano vocalist Arianne Fleury and demented bass wizard Dominic “Forest” Lapointe and started to jam complete songs.
In the mean time, vocalist Patrick Loisel had pledged to join and, in February 2002, left his band Kralizec to become the band’s other lead guitarist as well. In June of 2002, former Adenine’s drummer Mathieu Groulx completed the line-up and helped the band shape their first six songs and play its first show. However, lack of time and different musical tastes led him to depart Augury.
For a few months, the drummer-less outfit spent time writing more songs, focusing on strings instruments arrangements. Then, to the relief of everyone, the final missing piece fell in the puzzle as drummer Étienne Gallo took over the seat. After months of arranging and rehearsing the songs, AUGURY finally commit their work into an album. Concealed was recorded by Yannick St-Amand and mixed by Jean-François Dagenais.
Following the album release, a wave of praise came toward Augury from all around the world. The band played selected shows, opening for world class acts like Cryptopsy, Decapitated and Children of Bodom and toured Canada twice over the following couple of years. In the summer 2005, they fired soprano vocalist Arianne Fleury over musical and personnal differences, then for the first time crossed the country with Quo Vadis. This wasn’t enough and Augury were at it again the following spring, spreading their message from coast to coast along co/headliners Unexpect.
Sadly, at the end of the tour, drummer Etienne Gallo left Augury to concentrate on other projects. The band then spent the summer 2006 searching for a new skin basher, while not knowing then that the solution to their problem was right across the corridor from their rehearsal room. Mesmerism’s drummer Philippe Cousineau was approached by the guys, tried…and ended being the perfect one. Augury therefore resumed live activities during fall 2006 and will devote the following winter to the creation of their next album
AUGURY doesn’t identify itself with any pre-established school of music, but it can be fit into the extreme metal category since they favor fast playing, low tuning and rough vocals. A further link can be made with the Norwegian symphonic Black Metal scene, for the use of classical, Celtic and medieval overtones and the lush vocal harmonies that embellish about half of the songs. Triplet feels and guitar/bass dual and triple harmonies are indeed a staple of Augury’s music. Yet, there is no keyboard, no fake vampire image and a totally different lyrical concept.
Also, the musicians add influences from a lot of other sources. All members are big fans of progressive rock, classical baroque and jazz and there is a big flamenco influence (Strunz & Farrah, Paco de Lucia, Don Ross) in the playing. Strings players alone total almost 50 years of practicing their instruments and Patrick started singing in the late 80’s while Arianne is classically trained. Yet, everyone still yearns to widen his or her horizon...
Members:
- Pat Loisel
Vocals/ lead and rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars.
Born in Montreal on 1970-05-26, Patrick spent most of his life in Valleyfield.
- Mathieu Marcotte
Lead and rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars.
Born in Val d’Or in Abitibi (Northern Quebec) on 1976-04-17
- Dominic “Forest” Lapointe
6 strings bass guitar
Born in Forestville, Eastern Quebec, on 1976-02-19
- Phil Cousineau
Drums.
Born on 1983-10-09
Discography:
Concealed" (2004) - Galy Records
From: http://www.augurymetal.comHerodot : No coś czułem że o mnie nie zapomnisz :-) Możesz mi powiedzieć kt...
Lucifer's Friend - niemiecki zespół powstały w 1970 roku, grający rocka z wyraźnymi wpływami jazzowymi i muzyki pop. Mimo tego, że Lucifer's Friend powstał w Niemczech oraz grał progresywnie nie można ich zaliczyć do nurtu krautrock, który był bardziej zorientowany na brzmienia elektroniczne.
Mayhem - norweski zespół black metalowy założony w Oslo w 1983 roku. Pierwszymi członkami zespołu byli dwaj szkolni koledzy, Manheim (perkusja) i Necrobutcher (gitara basowa).
Grupa powstała w San Francisco w 1979 roku z inicjatywy Toma Huntinga (instrumenty perkusyjne, wokal) oraz Kirka Hammetta (gitara elektryczna). Pierwszy skład zespołu uzupełnił Geoff Andrews (gitara basowa), później dołączyli Paul Baloff (wokal) i Gary Holt (gitara elektryczna).
Elend - austriacko-francuska grupa utworzona w 1993 roku przez dwu kompozytorów i multiinstrumentalistów: Aleksandra Hasnaoui oraz Renauda Tschirnera. Szeregi grupy zostały wkrótce uzupełnione o damski głos - Eve Gabrielle Siskind. W 1994 roku jako trio, Elend nagrał swój pierwszy album "Leçons de Ténèbres", który w listopadzie tego samego roku został wydany pod szyldem francuskiej wytwórni Holy Records.
W roku 1985 niejaki gitarzysta Jeff Waters postanowił założyć zespół grający mocną muzykę metalową Annihilator. W niedługim czasie zwerbował pozostałych muzyków. Byli to: wokalista John Bates, basista Dave Davies i perkusista Paul Malek. Już po niespełna roku czasu wydali pierwsze demo "Welcome To Your Death". Zaraz po wydaniu dema, widząc, że chyba nic z tego projektu nie będzie, szeregi Annihilatora opuścili John Bates oraz Dave Davies.
Biomechanical - fenomenalny zespół z Wielkiej Brytanii, grający pełną werwy muzykę progressive metal. Kapela powstała w 2001 roku. Od samego początku swojej działalności zespół tworzy pięciu członków - John K, Chris Webb i Jamie Hunt, Jon Collins oraz Matt C.
Angtoria - zespół grający symfoniczny metal, założony w 2001 roku przez Sarah Jezebel Deva oraz Chrisa Rehna.
Sarah Jezebel Deva, a właściwie Sarah Jane Ferridge, potężna kobieta o potężnym głosie, udzielała się w zespołach takich jak Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Mad Dog, The Covenant, Tulus, Therion, Mortiis, Graveworm, Mystic Circle, The Gathering, Mendeed, a wreszcie w Angtoria. Chris Rehn związany był z kapelą Abyssos. Artyści spotkali się podczas trasy koncertowej. Szybko stali się bliskimi przyjaciółmi i odkryli, że mają podobne poglądy na tworzenie muzyki. Do rozpoczęcia wspólnej działalności było już niedaleko, ale początki były trudne.
Komentarze Sarah Jezebel Deva, a właściwie Sarah Jane Ferridge, potężna kobieta o potężnym głosie, udzielała się w zespołach takich jak Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Mad Dog, The Covenant, Tulus, Therion, Mortiis, Graveworm, Mystic Circle, The Gathering, Mendeed, a wreszcie w Angtoria. Chris Rehn związany był z kapelą Abyssos. Artyści spotkali się podczas trasy koncertowej. Szybko stali się bliskimi przyjaciółmi i odkryli, że mają podobne poglądy na tworzenie muzyki. Do rozpoczęcia wspólnej działalności było już niedaleko, ale początki były trudne.
th : Poprawione. Dzięki za info ;)
Erzulia : dokładnie... ANGTORIA... swoją drogą, naprawdę dobra kapela :)
Cross : O ile sie nie myle z nazwie zespolu jest pomylka.<br />nie pisze se Antgoria...
Limbonic Art - zespół założony w 1993 roku w Sandefjord w Norwegii, tworzył muzykę będącą połączeniem black metalu, klasycznej symfonii oraz dark ambientu. Początkowo składał się z czterech osób, jednak szybko uległ rozpadowi. Nowy skład uformował się niedługo po tym, jak Daemon (jedyny członek poprzedniego składu) zwerbował do zespołu Morfeusa.
Początki tego białostockiego zespołu sięgają roku 1993. Rok później Hermh nagrywa pierwsze demo "Oremus Peccatum (Refaim)", a potem kolejne, "Crying Crowns Of Trees". W wersji kasetowej wydała je mała podziemna firma Witching Hour Prod., a w wersji CD włoska Entropy Productions.
Początki działalności Anima Damnata sięgają końca roku 1996, kiedy to w czteroosobowym składzie powstały pierwsze utwory zupełnie odmienne stylowo od prezentowanych obecnie. Niespełna dwa lata później zostaje zarejestrowane pierwsze demo, które nigdy nie ujrzało światła dziennego. Po tym wydarzeniu z zespołu zostają usunięci gitarzysta i basista, gdyż nie potrafili dopasować się do nowego oblicza Anima Damnata. Przez długi czas tylko dwie osoby utrzymywały zespół przy życiu, w tym też czasie powstała większość zupełnie nowych utworów.
Zespół powstały w Bressuire we Francji w listopadzie 2001. Muzyka bardzo techniczna, skoczna, złożona oraz brutalna. Grają ciężko i energicznie - połączenie death metalu z partiami dziwnych, "obłąkanych" melodii oraz złożonych partii perkusyjnych. W ich kompozycjach opartych na kontraście melodycznym i synkopowanej rytmice słychać wpływy jazzowe oraz progresywnego rocka i metalu. To wszystko w połączeniu z deathowo brzmiącymi gitarami, growlującym wokalistą oraz odwagą w eksperymentowaniu czyni ich styl bardzo specyficznym. Luźne i otwarte podejście do kompozycji owocuje czymś czego jeszcze nie słyszano.
Gdy jesienią 2001 roku, Roland Grapow i Urli Kusch odeszli z Helloween postanowili założyć nowy zespół, który miał być zupełnie innym projektem, niż Helloween.
Kristoffer Rygg (urodzony 9 września 1976 roku w Telemark w Norwegii), znany również jako Garm, Trickster G, G. Wolf i Fiery G. Maelstrom jest norweskim wokalistą oraz producentem muzycznym.
Borknagar - norweski zespół grający muzykę na pograniczu black metalu, folk metalu i viking metalu, założony w 1995 roku przez Øysteina Garnesa Bruna. Teksty piosenek zespołu dotyczą filozofii, pogaństwa, natury i kosmosu. Nazwa zespołu jest anagramem słowa "Ragnarok", z literą 'B' na początku, aby słowo dało się wymówić (jednak Øystein Brun twierdzi, że inspirował się szkocką legendą o człowieku, który wspiął się na Loch Nagar - górę w Szkocji).
Andreas Hedlund (urodzony w roku 1973), znany także jako Vintersorg i Mr. V - szwedzki wokalista, instrumentalista, kompozytor, autor tekstów oraz producent muzyczny znany z członkostwa w zespołach z gatunku black metalu, folk metalu, viking metalu czy metalu progresywnego oraz innych. Przez większą część swojej kariery był członkiem kilku zespołów równocześnie.
W 1982 roku w San Antonio (Texas, USA) powstał zespół S.A. Slayer, który przez swą krótka karierę wypromował wielu znakomitych muzyków. Zespół początkowo miał się nazywać Slayer, lecz gdy do muzyków doszła wiadomość, że taki zespół juz istnieje w Stanach postanowili się nazwać San Antonio Slayer w skrócie S.A. Slayer.
Chwała Hansiemu Kürschowi i Jonowi Schafferowi za to, że połączyli swoje talenty! Kürsch - na co dzień wokalista Blind Guardian i Schaffer - założyciel oraz gitarzysta Iced Earth, długoletni dobrzy przyjaciele, wpadli na pomysł powołania do życia projektu o nazwie Demons & Wizards w 1997 roku, kiedy to brali udział we wspólnej trasie koncertowej. Kombinacja ciężkiego brzmienia i mrocznej linii melodyjnej Iced Earth z wspaniałym wokalem Kürscha zapewnia zespołowi coś całkowicie unikalnego.