Archgoat
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Turku, Finland |
| Founder | Ritual Butcherer, Lord Angelslayer |
| Headquarters | Turku , Finland |
| Products | Blackened death metal music |
Archgoat is a Finnish band specializing in blackened death metal, established in 1989 by twin brothers of Sri Lankan-Finnish descent: Ritual Butcherer (guitar) and Lord Angelslayer (bass and vocals). They are considered among the pioneers of black metal in Finland, alongside groups such as Barathrum, Impaled Nazarene, and Beherit. Their lyrical content is deeply rooted in Satanic and occult beliefs, prominently featuring anti-Christian motifs.
History
As one of Finland's most significant metal pioneers, Archgoat originated in Turku in 1989, with their first release being the 1991 demo Jesus Spawn. The band secured a contract with Necropolis Records in 1992. This partnership produced the 1993 MLP Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration), and they obtained a full studio agreement with Necropolis. Nevertheless, disputes over the contract resulted in the band withholding some finished recordings.
In 1993, Archgoat paused their activities, citing dissatisfaction with the commercial direction of the black metal scene at that time. They regrouped in 2004 and issued the previously unreleased 1993 tracks as the EP Angelslaying Black Fucking Metal through Hammer of Hate Records. Their inaugural live album, First Live Black Mass, was recorded in 2005. Around this era, Sinister Karppinen was appointed as the band's permanent drummer.
The group’s first full-length album, Whore of Bethlehem, was released in September 2006, followed by a European tour during spring 2007 alongside Black Witchery. A live split album from this tour was released in 2008 under the title Desecration & Sodomy. In 2020, Archgoat commemorated three decades of performing with the live album Black Mass XXX, recorded at Debemur Morti Productions' Servants Of Chaos event on September 28, 2019.
In July 2015, Sinister Karppinen left his position as drummer after a decade, succeeded by VnoM.
Studio albums
- Whore of Bethlehem (2006)
- The Light-Devouring Darkness (2009)
- The Apocalyptic Triumphator (2015)
- The Luciferian Crown (2018)
- Worship the Eternal Darkness (2021)
EPs
- Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration) (1993)
- Angelslaying Black Fucking Metal (2004)
- Heavenly Vulva (Christ's Last Rites) (2011)
- Eternal Damnation of Christ (2017)
- All Christianity Ends (2022)
Demos/promos
- Jesus Spawn (1991)
- Penis Perversor (1993)
Live albums
- Archgoat and Black Witchery (2008)
- Black Mass XXX (2020)
Split albums
- Messe Des Morts / Angel Cunt (1999) (with Beherit)
- Lux Satanae (Thirteen Hymns Of Finnish Devil Worship) (2015) (with Satanic Warmaster)
Current members
- Angelslayer (Rainer Puolakanaho) – bass, vocals (1989–1993, 2004–present)
- Ritual Butcherer (Kai Puolakanaho) – guitars, bass (1989–1993, 2004–present)
- Goat Aggressor (Tuukka Franck) – drums (2017–present)
Former members
- Blood Desecrator (Tommi) – drums (1989–1993)
- Sinister Karppinen (Tuomas Karppinen) – drums (2005–2015)
- VnoM (Ville Markkanen) – drums (2015–2017)
- Diabolus Sylvarum (Risto Suomi) – keyboards (2014–2018)
Live members
- Leneth the Unholy Carnager – percussion (2004–2005)
- Maggot Wrangler – percussion (2015)