Necromantia

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Necromantia
OriginAthens, Greece
GenresBlack metal
Years active1989–31.12.2020
LabelsUnisound Records
Osmose Productions
Black Lotus Records
Dockyard 1 Records
Websitewww.myspace.com/necromantiaband

Necromantia is a Greek black metal band that was founded in 1989 in Athens, Greece. Alongside Rotting Christ and Varathron, they are considered to be pioneers in establishing the Greek black metal scene in the early 1990s.[1] The band is notable for the complete lack of rhythm guitar in their music, which is substituted by an eight-string bass guitar. Another notable feature is the band's frequent use of musical instruments not usually associated with black metal, such as the saxophone and flute.

In November 2019, following the death of founding member Baron Blood, Necromantia announced it will disband after a final, commemorative release.[2]

History[]

Necromantia was founded in 1989 by George "The Magus" Zaharopoulos (formerly known as "Magus Wampyr Daoloth", as well as "Morbid" when collaborating with Rotting Christ) in bass/vocals and Makis "Baron Blood" in 8-string bass. The two have been the only consistent members of the band throughout its history, with other instruments handled by session musicians.

Necromantia's official debut, Crossing the Fiery Path, was released in 1993 through the French label Osmose Productions. Their second full-length, Scarlet Evil Witching Black, came out in 1995, while a mini-CD, the pagan-themed , followed in 1997. After parting ways with Osmose, Daoloth and company returned in 2000 with , this time on the Greek label Black Lotus Records. Black Lotus also re-issued the band's previous albums in various forms, as well as a compilation album titled Covering Evil (12 Years Doing the Devil's Work). The band reportedly worked on an album in 2003, under the working title Temple of the Skull. It was never released and probably never recorded.[3] Necromantia's last full-length album was , released by Dockyard 1 Records in 2007. The band's subsequent works have mostly been compilations of their demo works and other unreleased early material, as well as split LPs with other Greek black and death metal acts.

In November 20, 2019, The Magus announced through the band's official Facebook page that fellow founding member Baron Blood had died.[4] In subsequent announcements, he stated that the band will release a final album (originally planned to be a commemorative EP, but was then expanded to a full-length), in Baron Blood's memory, titled To the Depths We Descend... and expected to be released in autumn 2021.[2][5][6] Following this release, Necromantia will be disbanded, and no further material will be released.

Members[]

Current line-up[]

  • The Magus - Bass, Vocals
  • George Emmanuel - Guitars, Keyboards[6]
  • Yannis Votsis - Drums[6]

Former members[]

  • Baron Blood - 8-String Bass (died 20.11.2019)[4]
  • Fotis Benardo (Fotis Giannakopoulos) (ex-Septic Flesh) - Drums
  • Slow Death - Backing Vocals, Howling, Growling And Whispers
  • Yiannis ”The Worshipper Of Pan” Papayiannis - Sax, Percussions, Keyboards, Tablas, Classic Guitar, Flute
  • Inferno - Synths, Piano
  • Iraklis Yalantzides - Keyboards (session)
  • Lambros Sfiris - Keyboards (session)
  • Divad (aka Dave P.) - Guitar
  • John Fiorentis - Guitar (session)
  • Nick Adams - Drums (session)
  • George Panou - Drums (session)

Discography[]

Demos[]

  • Promo Tape 1990 (1990)
  • Vampiric Rituals (1992)
  • Demo '93 (1993)
  • Promo 1993 (1993)

LPs[]

  • The Black Arts / The Everlasting Sins (split with Varathron; Black Power, 1992)
  • Crossing the Fiery Path (Osmose, 1993)
  • Black Arts Lead to Everlasting Sins (split with Varathron; Black Power, 1994)
  • Scarlet Evil Witching Black (Osmose, 1995)
  • IV: Malice (Black Lotus, 2000)
  • The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven (Dockyard 1, 2007)

EPs[]

  • From The Past We Summon Thee (Dark Side, 1995)
  • Ancient Pride (Osmose, 1997)
  • People of the Sea (Dark Side, 2008)
  • ...For the Temple of the Serpent Skull... (split with Acherontas; Dark Side, 2008)
  • Nekromanteion - A Collection of Arcane Hexes (split with Necromancy; Soulseller, 2014)
  • Primordial Evil (split with Rotting Christ; Black Vomit, 2017)

Compilations[]

  • Covering Evil (12 Years Doing The Devil's Work) (Black Lotus, 2001)
  • Cults of the Shadow (contains Crossing the Fiery Path and Scarlet Evil Witching Black; Osmose, 2002)
  • Necromantia (boxed set containing Crossing the Fiery Path, Scarlet Evil Witching Black, Ancient Pride and IV: Malice; Black Lotus, 2006)
  • De Magia Veterum (Dark Side Records, 2009)
  • Chthonic Years / Demo Collection (Lvx Infernvm 2018)

References[]

  1. ^ "Necromantia". Osmose Productions. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "New EP from NECROMANTIA in 2020 as tribute to Baron Blood!!". The Gallery. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Necromantia - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Necromantia - Bass Player Baron Blood Has Passed Away". Metal Storm. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Necromantia: announce their last album entitled "To the Depths we Descend…" | Metal Invader". Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Necromantia's Final Descent..." RAMzine. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-06-03.

External links[]

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