Agathodaimon (band)

Last updated
Agathodaimon
Agathodaimon Metal Embrace 2022 08.jpg
Agathodaimon at Metal Embrace 2022
Background information
Origin Mainz, Germany
Genres Symphonic black metal, gothic metal
Years active1995–2014, 2020–present
Labels Nuclear Blast, E1 Music, Massacre
Past members See below
Website agathodaimon.de

Agathodaimon ("benevolent demon" in Greek) are a gothic/symphonic black metal band from Mainz, Germany. Their early material can be categorized as Symphonic Black Metal and their later musical pieces can be categorized as Gothic/Black Metal. [1]

Contents

History

The band began in September 1995, [2] when guitarist Sathonys and drummer Matthias got together to assemble a dominant death metal band with harmonic arrangements, creating melodic death metal music. They put adverts in several music magazines in the hopes that they would find suitable musicians to play with them. In answer to the advertisement, they were joined by bassist Marko Thomas and keyboardist and vocalist Vlad Dracul. The last member of their initial formation was the second guitarist, Hyperion, who joined them by the end of that year. With this formation the band recorded the Carpe Noctem demo tape, which received fair reviews from the German specialized press. It also attracted the attention of one of Century Media's executives, who began keeping track of the band.

Agathodaimon proceeded to play minor gigs and support other European bands, eventually receiving an offer from Century Media to fund the recording of their second demo tape. This demo was recorded in early 1997 and was named Near Dark. It attracted the interest of quite a few recording labels, and in the end the band opted to sign with Nuclear Blast. [3]

After successfully composing the songs for their debut album Blacken the Angel , band member Vlad, was forced to quit Agathodaimon due to problems with immigration. After returning to his native Romania, he was denied re-entry in Germany. [3] The situation involved the fact that he had left the country during Nicolae Ceaușescu's regime. The band therefore was forced to make use of guest musicians to record their debut. Akaias (from Asaru) did the vocals and Marcel "Vampallens" (from Nocte Obducta ) took the role of the keyboards. Vlad's participation on the album was restricted to the solo song "Contemplation Song", which was sent to the band via air mail.

The CD caused some impact, and Agathodaimon proceeded to tour with bands such as Children of Bodom and Hypocrisy . At the height of the album's success they opened gigs for Dimmu Borgir , Lacrimosa and other bands.

In 1999, Vampallens decided to quit the band in order to dedicate himself fully to his main project Nocte Obducta. He was replaced by female keyboardist Christine S.

To record their second album - Higher Art of Rebellion - the band travelled to Romania, in order to be able to play together with Vlad. The vocalist Akaias also participated in the recording of this album, [3] as well as singer Dan Byron performing clean vocals. Recordings took place at Magic Sound in Bucharest. A European tour as headliner with Graveworm and Siebenbürgen followed.

After a short hiatus, the band recorded the album Chapter III in 2001 at the Kohlekeller Studio in Germany.

Some changes to the band's structure followed, with Vlad definitely quitting the band, soon followed by Marko and Christine.

Marko did leave because of health problems and quit making music, while Christine formed her own band Demonic Symphony, where she handles bass guitar and vocals. Marko and Christine were replaced by Darin Smith and Felix Ü. Walzer.

In 2004 the band released the album Serpent's Embrace , which again was recorded at Kohlekeller Studio with Kristian Kohlmannslehner as producer.

In early 2006 personal differences led to the split of Eddy and the rest of the band. A new bass player named Till (formerly active in Misanthropic, where Matthias also played drums for a while) joined the ranks, and the song writing for the next album took place. Singer, guitarist Frank "Akaias" Nordmann left in January 2007 to carry on with other musical interests.

Matthias and Jonas left the band in 2008, with Manuel Steitz taking over on drums, and in October 2008, the band announced that they had recruited a new singer, Ashtrael. [4]

In 2009 the band released their fifth studio album Phoenix . The next album In Darkness was released in 2013 on Massacre Records . [5]

On 28 October 2014 the band announced that they had broken up due to some members not being fully dedicated to the band, but that they could possibly reunite in the future. [6]

In February 2020 the band announced that they had reunited. [7] [8] They released their seventh album The Seven on 18 March 2022. [9]

Members

Current members

Past members

Live members

Timeline

Agathodaimon (band)

Discography

Studio albums
Compilation albums
Extended plays
Demo albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavenly (French band)</span> French power metal band

Heavenly is a French power metal band based in Marseille that was formed in 1993 in Paris by vocalist Benjamin Sotto and drummer Max Pilo, originally as a cover band under the name of Satan's Lawyer. In 1994, they changed their name to "Heavenly" and evolved into a full-fledged Helloween-influenced power metal outfit. In 1998, they released a three-track demo with new guitarist Anthony Parker. However, Parker's time with the band was to be short lived, leaving before a record deal with Noise Records was clinched. Heavenly then found a replacement in Chris Savourey and completed their lineup with bassist Laurent Jean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shape of Despair</span> Finnish funeral doom metal band

Shape of Despair is a funeral doom metal band from Finland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graveworm</span> Italian gothic-symphonic black metal band

Graveworm is an Italian extreme metal band from Brunico formed in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soulburn</span> Dutch death metal/black-doom band

Soulburn is a Dutch death metal/black-doom band.

To/Die/For are a gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola in southeast of Finland, originally assembled in 1993 as a hard rock band under the name Mary-Ann. In 1999, they decided to change their musical style to gothic metal, changing their band name as well. The band disbanded in April 2009, but reformed in July 2009, and played their final concert at John Smith Festival in Finland on 22 June 2016. They reformed once again in early 2020.

<i>Serpents Embrace</i> 2004 studio album by Agathodaimon

Serpent's Embrace is the fourth studio album by the German symphonic black metal band Agathodaimon. It was released 24 August 2004 through Nuclear Blast records. In 2009 Metal Mind Productions reissued the album as a remastered digipak edition. The reissue is limited to numerated 2000 copies and was digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthemesia</span> Finnish black metal band

Arthemesia was a Finnish black metal band active between 1994 and 2010. The band derives their name from Artemisia absinthium, Latin for wormwood, thought to have many spiritual qualities. Their music mainly concerns a projection of the band's philosophy, namely glorification of the occult and Satanism, but also nature and Shamanism.

Tristitia is a Swedish doom metal band formed in Halmstad in 1992.

X-Cops is a side project composed of members from the heavy metal band Gwar and their extended "family" of musicians. Each member of X-Cops performed in a police uniform and had their own character. They released the album You Have The Right To Remain Silent... on Metal Blade Records in 1995. The album included a cover of Deep Purple's "Highway Star". In addition, they released a 7" single of the songs "Junkie" and "Beat You Down" on Man's Ruin Records in 1996. X-Cops' style has been described as alternative metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opera IX</span> Italian symphonic black metal band

Opera IX is an Italian symphonic black metal band, founded in the city of Biella by the guitarist Ossian in 1988.

Hatrix is an American thrash metal band formed in 1989 and fronted by future-Mushroomhead lead singer Jeff Hatrix after his departure from Purgatory. First started with Dave Felton's former bandmate from his time in Centurion, Sam Romano on drums. He was replaced by Gary Estok in late 1989, who appeared on "Sins Of A Bastard Angel", the first song released by the band. In early 1990, they solidified the lineup that would last the rest of their career when Estok was replaced by Trëllebörg drummer Steve Felton, and Trëllebörg guitarist Marko Vukcevich was brought in as the 2nd guitarist for their live performances. The band has since released 3 cassette demos, one full-length album called "Collisioncoursewithnoplace" and a compilation of their first 2 demos that was released under several different names. They have had numerous compilation appearances since their first, "Sins of A Bastard Angel" on the Auburn Records compilation Heavy Artillery, released in January 1990. Hatrix played their first live show at the Phantasy Theater in Cleveland, at the Heavy Artillery Pre-Release Party on December 16, 1989. Hatrix is currently on hold. Hatrix re-united in 2003 for a stint of shows in the Cleveland area lasting until Summer 2004.

<i>Lucidity</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Delain

Lucidity is the debut studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Delain. It was released on 4 September 2006 by Roadrunner Records. It was released in the US by Sensory Records on 22 June 2010. In 2016 the band celebrated their 10th anniversary by re-releasing the album.

Grand Belial's Key (GBK) is a black metal band founded in Oakton, Virginia, in 1992 by guitarist Gelal Necrosodomy and vocalist Lord Vlad Luciferian. Lord Vlad Luciferian was later ejected from the group due to internal differences. To date the band has released four full-length albums.

<i>Upon Promeathean Shores (Unscriptured Waters)</i> 1995 EP by Hecate Enthroned

Upon Promeathean Shores (Unscriptured Waters) is an EP and the first studio release by the British symphonic black metal band Hecate Enthroned. It was released by Blackend Records on 7 July, 1995. This is essentially their An Ode for a Haunted Wood demo reworked and released as the first album under their record label.

Apostasy is a Swedish black metal band formed in 2000.

<i>Chapter III</i> (Agathodaimon album) 2001 studio album by Agathodaimon

Chapter III is the third full-length studio album by the German symphonic black metal band Agathodaimon. In 2009 Metal Mind Productions reissued the album as a remastered digipak edition. The reissue is limited to numerated 2000 copies and was digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc.

<i>Blacken the Angel</i> 1998 studio album by Agathodaimon

Blacken the Angel is the debut studio album by the German symphonic black metal band Agathodaimon. It was released on 25 August 1998 through Nuclear Blast records. A limited vinyl record edition of 1,000 copies was also released in 1998. On 25 August 2009 Metal Mind Productions reissued the album as a remastered digipak edition. The reissue is limited to numerated 2000 copies and was digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc.

<i>Higher Art of Rebellion</i> 1999 studio album by Agathodaimon

Higher Art of Rebellion is the second full-length studio album by the German symphonic black metal band Agathodaimon. In 2009 Metal Mind Productions reissued the album as a remastered digipak edition. The reissue is limited to numerated 2000 copies and was digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc. It also retains the 2 bonus tracks of the previously released limited edition version of the album.

<i>Phoenix</i> (Agathodaimon album) 2009 studio album by Agathodaimon

Phoenix is the fifth studio album by the German symphonic black metal band Agathodaimon. The album was released on 20 March 2009.

<i>The Shadow Cabinet</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Wuthering Heights

The Shadow Cabinet is the fourth full-length album by Danish band Wuthering Heights. It has been received with great reviews, and is considered "the best symphonic metal record of 2006".

References

  1. ↑ "Agathodaimon - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  2. ↑ "Agathodaimon - Biography". Agathodaimon.de. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  3. 1 2 3 Huey, Steve "Agathodaimon Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  4. ↑ AGATHODAIMON - finally revealed their new vocalist!, Nuclear Blast
  5. ↑ "Agathodaimon - Reveal New Album Artwork And More - Metal Storm". Metalstorm.net.
  6. ↑ "AGATHODAIMON Split Up". MetalLife. October 28, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Agathodaimon - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  8. ↑ "Agathodaimon Announces Reunion; Signs With Napalm Records". MetalUnderground. July 10, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Agathodaimon Issue Official Lyric Video for New Song "Wolf Within"". Metal Forces. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.