Anorexia Nervosa (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Limoges , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Stéphane Bayle, Marc Zabé, Pierre Couquet, Nilcas Vant, Stéphane Gerbaud, RMS Hreidmarr, Neb Xort |
| Products | Symphonic black metal music |
Anorexia Nervosa is a symphonic black metal group originating from Limoges, France, established in 1991. The band is presently inactive following the exit of their vocalist RMS Hreidmarr.
Biography
Formed in 1991 under the name Necromancia, Anorexia Nervosa was created by guitarists Stéphane Bayle and Marc Zabé, bassist Pierre Couquet, drummer Nilcas Vant, and vocalist Stéphane Gerbaud. As Necromancia, they released their first demo, The Garden of Delight, in 1993. Their second demo, Nihil Negativum, helped cement their reputation within the underground metal community through its dark and industrial sound—a style that would characterize their 1997 debut album Exile. After catching the attention of Season of Mist Records during a live show, they signed with the label; Exile sold approximately 2,400 copies and broadened their fanbase via tours alongside bands such as Cradle of Filth and Misanthrope.
Following the release of Exile, the lineup changed with Gerbaud and Zabé being replaced by vocalist RMS Hreidmarr and keyboardist Neb Xort. This transition marked a move toward a "dark nihilistic metal" sound. Their sophomore album, Sodomizing the Archangel (1999), was recorded at their own Drudenhaus Studio and issued through Osmose Productions. The subsequent album, Drudenhaus (2000), achieved significant acclaim.
In 2001, New Obscurantis Order showcased faster rhythms and more sophisticated orchestration, reinforcing their position within symphonic black metal. They supported this release with European tours featuring bands like Cradle of Filth and Rotting Christ. After a hiatus lasting three years, they returned in 2004 with Redemption Process, released by Listenable Records.
The band put out The September E.P. in 2005, which included a director’s cut of "Sister September," cover versions, and live recordings, serving as a lead-in to their upcoming studio project. Later that year, vocalist Rose Hreidmarr departed for personal reasons, ending his tenure with the group.
Subsequent attempts to find a replacement singer were unsuccessful. Guitarist Stéphane Bayle decided to place the band on indefinite hiatus to maintain its artistic standards. Ten years later, the band's continuation remains unresolved.
After leaving Anorexia Nervosa, Rose Hreidmarr joined the black/industrial metal outfit The Cosa Nostra Klub and became the frontman for the white supremacist black metal band Baise ma hache in 2018.
Meanwhile, Stéphane Bayle and Neb Xort collaborated with Jensara Swann and Ben Notox in The Veil, contributing to the 2006 album Sleeping Among Serpents as well as live shows. Neb Xort went on to produce The Veil's Vestige (2008) and Ad Inferna's Trance N Dance (2009). Bayle also produced The Cosa Nostra Klub’s sophomore release, L'Hymne la Joie (2007).
Musical style
At their inception as Necromancia, the band performed death metal, demonstrated on their demo The Garden of Delight. They gradually incorporated industrial metal influences which shaped the experimental character of their debut full-length album, Exile. This record combined rapid tempos with ambient passages accompanied by somber vocal delivery. With the departure of original vocalist Stéphane Gerbaud and arrival of R.M.S. Hreidmarr, the band transitioned from industrial death metal toward a distinctive symphonic black metal sound often likened to Cradle of Filth.
Exile serves as a concept album delving into themes such as neurosis and insanity, emphasizing motifs of violence and despair throughout its lyrics. Their subsequent concept work, Redemption Process, explores ideas centered on achieving redemption.
Last lineup
- Stéphane Bayle: guitar (1995–2005)
- Nilcas Vant: drums (1995–2005)
- Pier Couquet: bass guitar (1995–2005)
- Neb Xort: keyboards (1998–2005)
Previous members
- Marc Zabé: guitar, keyboards (1995–1998)
- Stéphane Gerbaud: lead vocals (1995–1998)
- Nicolas "R.M.S." Saint-Morand: lead vocals (1998–2005)
Timeline
Full-length albums
- Exile (1997)
- Drudenhaus (2000)
- New Obscurantis Order (2001)
- Redemption Process (2004)
Extended plays
- Sodomizing the Archedangel (1999)
- The September E.P. (2005)
Demo recordings
- The Garden of Delight (1993)
- Nihil Negativum (1995)
Compilation releases
- Suicide Is Sexy (2004)
Unauthorized recordings
- Disturbed (2009)