Necromantia

While the band we today know as NECROMANTIA is one of the pre-eminent Greek black metal bands, they originally got their start as extreme death/thrash metal band Necromancy.  Forming in Athens in 1986, they put out two demos (1988's Rehearsal and 1989's Vision of Lunacy) before breaking up and more or less re-forming as Necromantia.

Off of the 1989 demo Visions of Lunacy

As Necromantia, they released the demo Promo Tape 1990 which showcased their more occult-oriented, black metal style rather well.  As opposed to the straightforward speed-oriented approach of all of the 1980s black/thrash bands, Necromantia crafted an eerie atmosphere.  Using carefully placed riffs, and demonic vocals, Necromantia's style was about conveying the evil feel of black metal rather than pummeling the listener with violent music.

The very famous "The Family of Dog (Feast of Ghouls)"

After the 1992 demo Vampiric Rituals, Necromantia put out a split with fellow countrymen Varathron (more on them later) entitled The Black Arts.  Continuing in the occultic, atmospheric style of their earlier demos, this split has become somewhat legendary in the Greek scene and the international black metal scene as well.

"Lord of the Abyss" is off of that famous split with Varathron

It was in 1993 that Necromantia put out their first full-length studio album, Crossing the Fiery Path.  This was more of the style they had established in the underground with their earlier material, but at the same time, the speed of older-school black metal was evident as well.  The Greek scene has always been about atmosphere more than raw, in-your-face intensity or a particular style of guitar playing.  Since their first studio album they have continued to put out pretty consistent and dark albums.  1995's Scarlet Evil Witching Black, 2000's IV: Malice, and 2007's The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven are all excellent black metal albums.

"Unchaining the Wolf (At War)", off of Crossing the Fiery Path, is my favorite Necromantia song

An example of their sound off of Scarlet Evil Witching Black

Select Discography:

as Necromancy:

Rehearsal (demo) (1988)
Visions of Lunacy (demo) (1989)

as Necromantia:
Promo Tape '90 (demo) (1990)
Vampiric Rituals (demo) (1992)
The Black Arts 12" (split with Varathron) (1992)
Crossing the Fiery Path (1993)
Scarlet Evil Witching Black (1995)
Ancient Pride EP (1997)
IV: Malice (2000)
The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven (2007)

Next time:  BLASPHEMY