Necromantia

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.

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

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 on the French Osmose Productions imprint. Their second full-length, Scarlet Evil Witching Black, came out in 1995, while a mini-CD, the pagan-themed Ancient Pride, followed in 1997. After parting ways with Osmose, Daoloth and company returned in 2000 with IV Malice, 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 The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven, released by Dockyard1 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, titled To the Depths we Descend in Baron Blood's memory, expected to be released in late spring 2021. [2][5] Following this release, Necromantia will be disbanded, and no further material will be released.

Members

Current line-up
  • The Magus - Bass, Vocals
  • Fotis Benardo (ex-Septic Flesh) - Drums

Former members
  • Baron Blood - 8-String Bass (died 2019)
  • 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 (Dockyard1, 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. "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. "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.
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