Astriaal

Last updated

Astriaal
Origin Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres Black Metal
Years active1997–present
LabelsObsidian records, Aura Mystique Productions, Art of Propaganda.
MembersArzarkhel
Baaruhl
Daeimos
Gryphon
Svarogg
Past membersHelthor
Murtach
Website https://www.facebook.com/AstriaalMCMXCVIII/app_2405167945

Astriaal are an Australian black metal band that formed in 1998, and are one of Australia's highest-profile black metal bands. The band have so far released 2 full-length albums and 3 EPs, and have supported well-known international acts such as Mayhem, Arcturus, Suffocation, Nile, Deeds of Flesh, Opeth and Pungent Stench. Astriaal's lyrics deal with Abyssal Theology, Nature and Misanthropy.

Contents

History

The band was formed in 1997 as a three-piece consisting of Baaruhl, Gryphon, and Helthor. Baaruhl performed vocal duties early on until Arzarkhel joined the band. Astriaal released their debut demo Glories of the Nightsky in October 1998. To this day, Baaruhl, Gryphon and Arzarkhel are the core members of the band.

The band's first live show was in support of Nazxul in November 1998. The band recorded the Summoning the Essence of Ancient Wisdom EP between 1999 and 2000, before performing at the Metal for the Brain festival in Canberra, Australia. One year later, the EP Somnium Infinitus was a limited number (150) release for sale in honour of headlining the 2001 Metal for the Brain festival, it was also intended to preview some extra tracks for a to this day unreleased Summoning the Essence of Ancient Wisdom vinyl LP. This EP notably contained a cover of Key to The Gate by Norway's Burzum.

Debut album

2002 saw Astriaal headline Sydney's Bloodlust Festival along with supports for Mayhem and Destruction. This led to an increase in the bands profile. In July 2003 Renascent Misanthropy was released on Gryphon's Blacktalon Media label, with a distribution deal with MGM Distribution. The Album is notable for containing synthesizer and production work from Australian producer Lachlan Mitchell who is also a well known member of the Australian black metal scene due to his work in Nazxul.

The Album was later released by Aftermath Music [Norway] as a digi-pack containing different artwork and layout. In 2007 Obsidian Records [Australia] later did a revised slipcase edition with different artwork. layout and live video and a photo gallery. In 2012 Art of Propaganda released the LP/Vinyl edition limited to 300 copies.

Hiatus, second album

Following a couple of festival appearances, at the end of 2004 Astriaal announced an extended break. The band returned to perform at Brisbane's Overcranked festival in April 2006, and followed up with a high-profile support of Arcturus in early 2007. Bassist Murtach left the band on completion of the tour.

The band recorded a follow-up to Renascent Misanthropy in Australia during 2009 entitled Anatomy of the Infinite The band performed the album mixing in Mølla Lydstudios, Norway with Knut Magne Valle of Arcturus. The album was released July 2010, with the band later in 2010 supporting Mayhem on a national tour. [1]

Discography

Studio albums
EPs
Singles
Demos

Band members

Astriaal's various band members have been involved throughout Australia's heavy metal scene. Arzarkhel and Helthor provided Vocals and Bass guitar respectively for Netherkin, whilst Gryphon being a founding member performed drums in Carbon, and has performed with Atomizer and Urgrund in the past. Gryphon also ran the independent record label Blacktalon Media which released debuts from underground Australian artists such as Astriaal, Portal, Ruins and Excruciate amongst others. Murtach is the founding member of Carbon, writing and performing all guitars, vocals and lyrics and a respected sound engineer within the Brisbane and Australian live music scene. Baaruhl is now making a profile as a sound engineer, having recorded the debut album for Mongrel's Cross and now performing with them as a session live guitarist.

Daeimos is a founding member of Australian death metal legends Psychrist. He also played bass for Dehuman and currently with Infinitum also.

Timeline

Astriaal

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dissection (band)</span> Swedish extreme metal band

Dissection was a Swedish extreme metal band from Strömstad, formed in 1989 by guitarist, vocalist and main songwriter Jon Nödtveidt and bassist Peter Palmdahl. Despite a number of lineup changes, Dissection released The Somberlain in 1993 and Storm of the Light's Bane in 1995, before splitting up in 1997 due to Nödtveidt's imprisonment for complicity in the murder of Josef Meddour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcturus (band)</span> Norwegian metal band

Arcturus is a Norwegian avant-garde metal band formed in 1991. Their name, which means "Bear Guardian", references the Behenian fixed star Arcturus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nargaroth</span> German black metal band

Nargaroth is a German black metal band led by René "Ash" Wagner, formerly known as “Kanwulf”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nazxul</span>

Nazxul are an Australian black metal band which formed in 1993. They issued two studio albums, Totem and Iconoclast. In March 2021, their most recent studio album titled Irkalla was released with the lineup being Adrian Henderson on guitar, Lachlan Mitchell on keyboards and guitar, John McLaughlin on drums and Dalibor Backovic on vocals and bass guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Axel Blomberg</span> Norwegian drummer

Jan Axel Blomberg is a Norwegian drummer known professionally as Hellhammer. He is best known as the drummer of the black metal band Mayhem, which he joined in 1988, and is the only member to appear on all of their albums. In 1987 Blomberg, alongside Steinar Sverd Johnsen and Marius Vold, formed the avant-garde black metal band Arcturus, which broke up in April 2007 and reunited in 2011. He named himself after the Swiss extreme metal band Hellhammer. Praised as a talented musician, Blomberg is a three-time winner of the Spellemannprisen award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Barker</span> British drummer

Nicholas Howard Barker is an English extreme metal drummer best known for his work in Cradle of Filth from 1993 to 1999, Dimmu Borgir from 1999 to 2004, Brujeria from 2003 to 2005 and from 2016 to 2022, and Shining from 2022 to 2023. Currently he is the drummer for Borstal, Liquid Graveyard, Twilight of the Gods, and United Forces.

Fleurety is a Norwegian avant-garde metal band. The band was formed in 1991 by Svein Egil Hatlevik and Alexander Nordgaren.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mortal Sin (band)</span> Australian thrash metal band

Mortal Sin were an Australian thrash metal band that formed in 1985 and existed over three distinct periods until 2012. The band released five albums and were the first Australian thrash metal band to tour internationally. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, they were one of "two leading lights... [of] a small, but fervent underground thrash/speed metal scene."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abhorrence</span> Finnish death metal band

Abhorrence is a Finnish death metal band originally formed in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICS Vortex</span> Norwegian bassist and vocalist

Simen Hestnæs, better known by his stage name ICS Vortex or simply Vortex, is a Norwegian musician. He is the vocalist of the similarly named band ICS Vortex, the avant-garde metal band Arcturus and the doom metal band Lamented Souls. He is also a vocalist and the bass guitarist to the heavy metal band Borknagar, and the former bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir.

Chalice was an Australian Gothic-doom metal band from Adelaide, South Australia. The group released three albums and was perhaps Australia's most notable Gothic metal band for a number of years before splitting up in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steinar Sverd Johnsen</span> Musical artist

Steinar Sverd Johnsen is a Norwegian keyboardist and composer. Sverd plays keyboards and synthesizers in Arcturus and was also the main composer for the band. He formed the band with Marius Vold (Mortem, Stigma Diabolicum of Thorns, and Jan Axel Blomberg of Mayhem in 1987, originally under the moniker Mortem. The band split up in April 2007, but reformed in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Haughm</span> American singer

John Haughm is an American musician and artist. He is most known for being the founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the band Agalloch, and later Pillorian. He is also a designer who has created packaging and merchandise for several record labels and bands, including every project in which he has performed. From 2008 to 2018 he was the co-owner, creative director, and curator of the Dämmerung Arthouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Hughes</span> Australian comedian

Steve Hughes is an Australian-born thrash metal drummer, comedian and actor. Hughes has embraced the title "heavy metal humourist", as it aligns with his approach to comedy, music and life; the press have referred to this title and similar variations.

Thyrane is a black metal band from Kemi, Finland. They were signed to Spikefarm Records for the majority of their releases and disbanded in 2006, but reformed again in 2015 with a partially different line-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gehenna (band)</span> Norwegian black metal band

Gehenna is a Norwegian black metal band.

Avulsed is a Spanish death metal band, formed in August 1991 in Madrid by Dave Rotten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadistic Intent</span> American death metal band

Sadistic Intent is a death metal band from Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wormed</span> Spanish technical death metal band

Wormed is a Spanish technical death metal band. The group formed in 1998 in Madrid and are known for their sci-fi and space influenced imagery, lyrics and sound. The band has released three full-length albums to date.

<i>Renascent Misanthropy</i> 2003 studio album by Astriaal

Renascent Misanthropy Is the debut album for Australian Black Metal band Astriaal.

References

  1. "Astriaal - AusMetal Guide".