History
Barathrum was founded at Kuopio, Finland under a name of Darkfeast, which was changed into Barathrum the year after.
Barathrum recorded several demos during the years 1991-1993. After the demos, Barathrum signed to an underground German record label called Nazgul’s Eyrie Productions which released low budget studio albums "Hailstorm" (1995), "Eerie (1995)" and "Infernal" (1997) before the label went hiatus and left Barathrum as an unsigned artist.
The band signed to Spinefarm Records record label in 1998 and released five albums, ”Legions Of Perkele” (1998), "Saatana" (1999), ”Okkult" (2000), "Venomous" (2002) and ”Anno Aspera: 2003 Years After Bastard’s Birth” making Barathrum one of the most prominent bands in Finnish black metal scene. [2]
After the years of hiatus, the band was signed to Finnish underground record label Saturnal Records and released their ninth full-length album "Fanatiko (2017)" in April 28th 2017. [3]
Moonsorrow is a Finnish pagan metal band formed in Helsinki in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound. The band call their sound "epic heathen metal" and try to distance themselves from the term "Viking metal". They have distanced themselves from other folk metal bands, emphasising that their music is pagan and spiritual and is challenging for its listeners, rather than happy or danceable. The band members have varying levels of pagan belief but they draw on pagan spirituality for lyrics and inspiration.
Impaled Nazarene is a Finnish extreme metal band that started as black metal but have incorporated elements of grindcore, thrash metal and death metal, and have grown more towards hardcore punk.
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "melodic folk metal".
Beherit is a Finnish black metal band from Rovaniemi. The band was formed in 1989 by Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance, Demonic Fornication and Sodomatic Slaughter, with the purpose of performing "the most primitive, savage, hell-obsessed black metal imaginable". "Beherit" is claimed to be the Syriac word for Satan, but this word does not exist in the language and the claim is falsehood. Through the uncommercial nature of their music, visuals, and live performances, the band quickly attracted a cult following. Besides the "raw" sound, the band's music is noted for its avant-garde side and emphasis on atmosphere. Beherit are now regarded as a pioneer in their genre.
Darkwoods My Betrothed are a Finnish black metal band from Kitee.
Absu is an American black/thrash metal band from Dallas, Texas. Their demos and first album leaned towards death metal, but later adapted to the thrash/black sound the group would become recognized for. Their lyrical themes are esoteric, including themes of Celtic, Sumerian and Mesopotamian myths and legends, alchemy, numerology, magick, and sorcery.
Sabbat is a Japanese black metal band formed in the early 1980s. On some releases, they showcase a more thrash- and traditional metal-influenced sound.
Stian Tomt Thoresen, known professionally as Shagrath, is a Norwegian musician. He is the vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and a founding member of the symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir and Also, founding member, rhythm guitarist and bassist of Chrome Division.
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.
Ancient Rites is a Belgian black metal band formed in 1988. Initially, the lineup consisted of guitar players Johan and Phillip, drummer Stefan, and Gunther Theys on bass and vocals. In 1990 the Dark Ritual demo was released in the underground scene, getting worldwide attention just as black metal was gaining importance in the metal scene. Soon after the release of this demo Phillip died in a car crash and not long after, Stefan committed suicide. However painful this episode was to the band, they decided to continue and Stefan's position was taken by his drum roadie Walter van Cortenberg.
Mütiilation is a French black metal project, traditionally known as a group, but later slimmed to a solo act that consisted solely of founder William "Meyhna'ch" Roussel who maintained activity under the name until its closing in 2017. He later reactivated the band as of March 2024. Mütiilation has released six full-length albums and appeared on several EPs and compilations.
Gates of Ishtar is a Swedish melodic death metal band.
Horna is a Finnish black metal band formed Lappeenranta, Finland, in 1994. The band has appeared on over fifty releases including splits, demos, EPs and albums since 1995, which have been released through numerous record labels.
Baptism is a black metal band from Finland. The band was formed in 1998 by vocalist/guitarist Lord Sargofagian and drummer Demonium. The summer of that year the band released their first demo, Satanic Rituals, although very few copies were released. Following a two-year hiatus the band released their second demo, Sons of Ruin & Terror, in 2000. Similar to the last demo the release was limited. After the addition of bassist Slaughterer the band released their first full-length album, The Beherial Midnight, on June 12, 2002. The band release three more albums in 2004; a split CD with Uncreation's Dawn, and the EPs Wisdom & Hate and Black Ceremony. Slaughterer and Demonium left the band following the release of Wisdom & Hate, leaving Lord Sargofagian as the only official member. The band has continued with various session musicians, and have released four more full-length albums.
Unholy was a Finnish avant-garde doom metal band. Formed in 1988, they were one of the first doom metal groups in their home country.
Crematory is a German gothic metal band formed in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg in 1991.
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.
Enthroned is a Belgian black metal band formed in Charleroi. It is one of the premier acts of the Belgian black metal scene.
Infernal was an influential Swedish black metal band based in Stockholm.
Deranged is a Swedish death metal band formed in 1991. The band was named after the 1974 movie Deranged.
