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. 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, the band announced it will disband in 2020.

History

Necromantia was founded in 1989 by George "The Magus" Zaharopoulos 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 . 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. 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. In a subsequent announcement, Necromantia stated that they will release a final EP, titled Baron Blood in Baron Blood's memory. Following this release, the band will be disbanded, and no further material will be released after December 2020.

Members

Current line-up

Demos