Barathrum

For our next band, we return to Finland--the home of some of the greatest black metal bands in the world. While early Finnish bands are known for unrelenting brutality (Beherit and Archgoat being prime examples), Kuopio's BARATHRUM is a unique entity in the black metal scene. Their sound is a dark, atmospheric mix of old-school black metal and eerie doom metal.

Barathrum was founded as Darkfeast in 1990 by members Demonos Sova (the one constant member of all Barathrum's incarnations), Aki, and Ilu. By early 1991, Darkfeast had released the Hail Satan demo, and soon thereafter, changed their name to Barathrum. By the end of 1991, Barathrum had put out two demos--including the now legendary Witchmaster demo.

This is the Witchmaster demo in its entirety.

Over the next couple of years, Barathrum continued to put out some crucial demos, including 1992's Battlecry and 1993's Soaring Up From Hell. They also--like many bands in this era--made a name for themselves through shows and tape trading, building their reputation in the underground. As a result of this reputation, Barathrum was courted by a few labels, and there were even rumors of a split album to be released with fellow Finns Archgoat (that never materialized). Apparently, Barathrum also recorded material for an album during this time period, but it never saw the light of day (it eventually materialized as the Warmetal LP in 2014).  Around this time, Barathrum did choose to sign with Nazgul's Eyrie Productions. Through N.E.P., Barathrum put out their first three albums.

This is Barathrum live in 1993 with "Lord of South and Fire"

(which is also a song that can be found on their first studio album)

In 1994, N.E.P. put out Hailstorm, Barathrum's first full-length studio album. Hailstorm contained the dark, occultic sound Barathrum had become known for, but with a deeper, more bass-heavy production sound (compare "Battlecry" on Hailstorm to the same song on the Battlecry demo, for example). Their second album, 1995's Eerie, was very much a continuation of the style of the demos and Hailstorm as well. With 1997's Infernal, a slight shift in sound was evident.

Off of Infernal, this is "Warmetal"

With Infernal, elements of thrash began to creep into Barathrum's trademark black/doom style. One can definitely hear the influence of bands like Sabbat and Venom--two bands that Demonos Sova has said he admires. Following the release of Infernal, Barathrum signed with Finnish label Spinefarm Records, and continued to churn out occultic, creepy blackened doom. 1998's Legions of Perkele was the first of five albums released through Spinefarm.

"Necromantical Ritual" is from Legions of Perkele

With each album, there has been a slight change in their sound. From elements of thrash or old school heavy metal creeping into their sound, to starker, more crisp production values, Barathrum's sound continued to evolve. By the time of 2005's Anno Aspera, Barathrum still sounded like themselves, but a more mature, more evolved version.

From their latest (and possibly last?) studio album, this is "Into Maze of Nightmares"

Since the release of their 2005 album, Barathrum hasn't done much. Aside from a 2009 split, all the material Barathrum has put out is older, unreleased stuff. What does the future hold for these Finns? We'll have to see.

Select Discography

From Black Flames to Witchcraft (demo) (1991)

Witchmaster (demo) (1991)

Battlecry (demo) (1992)

Soaring Up From Hell (demo) (1993)

Hailstorm (full-length) (1994)

Eerie (full-length) (1995)

Infernal (full-length) (1997)

Legions of Perkele (full-length) (1998)

Saatana (full-length) (1999)

Okkult (full-length) (2000)

Venomous (full-length) (2002)

Anno Aspera (full-length) (2005)

Next time: DESASTER