Summoning is an Austrian atmospheric black metal band based in Vienna. Since their formation in 1993, they have released eight full-length albums and two EPs via Napalm Records. Their lyrics make extensive use of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings and mythology. Since 1995, their lineup has had a consistent lineup of Richard Lederer as "Protector" and Michael Gregor as "Silenius". The band never played live performances and has consistently maintained that they have no interest in ever doing so. Their latest album With Doom We Come was released on 5 January 2018.
Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive metal and folk metal. They frequently use the Kalevala, the epic poem of Finland, as a source for their lyrics.
Sentenced was a Finnish gothic metal band that played melodic death metal in their early years. The band formed in 1989 in the town of Muhos and broke up in 2005.
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.
Omnium Gatherum is a six-piece melodic death metal band from Finland, founded in the autumn of 1996. Although the band mainly follows the path of the melodic death metal genre, much of their work shows strong influences from progressive metal, especially their later albums. Their music is influenced by Gothenburg-style bands such as At the Gates, In Flames, Dissection, and Dark Tranquillity, but also Iron Maiden, Death, Anathema, and Megadeth among others.
Doom are an English hardcore punk band from Birmingham whose first lineup were together from 1987 to 1990. Despite its short existence, the band is considered pivotal in the rise of crust punk, a genre of punk rock that takes influence and elements from extreme metal. They recorded for Peaceville Records and are cited as an early precursor to grindcore. Doom were also a favourite of BBC Radio DJ John Peel.
Facedown Records is a Christian rock record label based in Fallbrook, California, that is devoted to hardcore punk and metalcore bands with a few death metal acts such as Immortal Souls and Indwelling. Founded by No Innocent Victim drummer Jason Dunn in 1997, the label started small with a number of 7" record releases by Overcome, Dodgin Bullets, and Born Blind. As the label grew, it was able to sign artists for full album deals. xDISCIPLEx released material on Facedown, as well as Figure Four and Point of Recognition. The label also signs straight edge groups such as xDEATHSTARx and xLooking Forwardx.
Novembers Doom is an American death-doom band from Chicago, currently signed to Prophecy Productions. Along with Evoken and Rigor Sardonicous, Novembers Doom is one of the earliest American death-doom bands still active today.
Abaddon Incarnate are an Irish deathgrind band.
Godgory was a Swedish melodic death metal/death doom metal band that was formed in 1992 by drummer Erik Andersson and vocalist Matte Andersson (unrelated).
Eucharist is a Swedish melodic death metal band, which released two albums in the 1990s, and a third in 2022.
Kaamos was a Swedish death metal band that was formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2006. The band's name comes from the Finnish word for polar night. The original members were Johan Thörngren, Thomas Åberg, Nicklas Eriksson, and Konstantin Papvassilou.
Deuteronomium is a Christian death metal band formed in 1993, Jyväskylä, Finland, one of Finland's earliest and most influential groups in that genre.
Eternal Oath is a Swedish symphonic/melodic death metal band, formed in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden. In their 15-year existence, they released three albums, one demo, one EP and one compilation album. The group had been in the process of recording a fourth album, but ultimately disbanded in January 2007. In 2011, the band reunited and released a new album in 2013.
Drottnar is an extreme metal band from Fredrikstad, Norway. Formed in 1996, the band has released four albums, Spiritual Battle (2000), Welterwerk (2006), Stratum (2012) and Monolith (2019) and an EP titled Anamorphosis (2003). The first album was released on UK label Plankton Records. They are currently signed to Swedish label Endtime Productions.
Ice Upon the Night is the second studio album by Finnish melodic death metal band Immortal Souls. It is Immortal Souls' first album released by the Dutch Fear Dark Records. It was released in March 2003.
Under the Northern Sky is the first full-length album by the Finnish melodic death metal band Immortal Souls. This album was the last recording to be released by previous record label, Little Rose Productions in 2001.
Wintereich is the third studio album by Finnish melodic death metal band Immortal Souls. It is Immortal Souls' first album released by the Dutch Dark Balance record label. It was released on June 1, 2007 in Europe.
Paradox were a Christian black metal band founded in London, England, in 1996 by guitarist and vocalist Michael, using the pseudonym "John Tarantula". They were reported to be, at the time, the only dark metal band in London promoting Christianity. Originally formed as a three-piece family unit, they released a demo The Outcasts in 1997 through their own record label, Tarantula Promotions. In 1998, a fourth member joined as a vocalist, and a second demo was released in 2000 entitled Through Pain There Is Joy. Following this release, the band reformed around Michael as a five-piece unit, and a sixth member later joined part-time on keyboards. In 2002, Paradox disbanded, releasing their last two songs as part of a compilation album entitled Overcome or Burn Forever in Hell/Arachnid Terror Sampler, which featured tracks from fourteen other artists. Following the breakup of the band, the projects Bloodshed and Slimegem were formed, and a third band, Hamal 'ak Hamashith, was promoted through Tarantula Promotions.
