Necromantia
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | George "The Magus" Zacharopoulos, Makis "Baron Blood" Kanakaris |
| Defunct | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Athens , Greece |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | George "The Magus" Zacharopoulos, Makis "Baron Blood" Kanakaris |
| Products | Black metal music albums and EPs |
Necromantia was a black metal group originating from Athens, Greece, established in 1989. Along with bands such as Rotting Christ and Varathron, they are credited as trailblazers of the early 1990s Greek black metal movement. The band stood out by excluding the use of rhythm guitar, opting instead for an eight-string bass guitar, and integrating atypical instruments including saxophone and flute.
In November 2019, after the passing of founding member Baron Blood, Necromantia declared their intention to disband following the release of a final tribute album titled To the Depths We Descend....
History
The formation of Necromantia was led by George "The Magus" Zacharopoulos (bass/vocals) and Makis "Baron Blood" Kanakaris (8-string bass), who were the only permanent members throughout the band's existence, with other roles filled by session musicians.
Their debut album, Crossing the Fiery Path, was issued in 1993 under the French label Osmose Productions. This was followed by their sophomore effort, Scarlet Evil Witching Black, in 1995, and the pagan-themed mini-album Ancient Pride in 1997. After parting ways with Osmose, they released IV Malice in 2000 through Greek label Black Lotus Records, which also re-released earlier albums alongside a compilation called Covering Evil (12 Years Doing the Devil's Work). An anticipated 2003 album named Temple of the Skull never materialized. Their subsequent full-length release, The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven, appeared via Dockyard 1 Records in 2007. Later outputs primarily consisted of compilations and split LPs shared with other Greek black and death metal bands.
On November 20, 2019, The Magus announced the death of Baron Blood. In tribute, the band expanded a planned EP into a full-length final album: To the Depths We Descend.... Released on October 15, 2021, it includes six new compositions as well as re-recorded versions of early demos and features contributions from former members. Uniquely, this album does not feature an eight-string bass; standard rhythm guitars were used instead as a homage to Baron Blood’s memory.
Necromantia officially ceased activity in December 2021, with The Magus stating that "The band has now descended into the Abyss."
Final line-up
- George "The Magus" Zacharopoulos – bass, vocals
- George Emmanuel – guitars, keyboards
- Yannis Votsis – drums
Previous members
- Baron Blood – 8-String Bass (deceased 20.11.2019)
- Fotis Benardo (Fotis Giannakopoulos) (ex-Septic Flesh) – drums
- Slow Death – backing vocals, howling, growling, whispers
- Yiannis ”The Worshipper Of Pan” Papayiannis – saxophone, percussion, keyboards, tablas, classical guitar, flute
- Inferno – synthesizers, piano
- Iraklis Yalantzides – keyboards (session)
- Lambros Sfiris – keyboards (session)
- Divad (aka Dave P.) – guitar
- John Fiorentis – guitar (session)
- Nick Adams – drums (session)
- George Panou – drums (session)
Demos
- Promo Tape 1990 (1990)
- Vampiric Rituals (1992)
- Demo '93 (1993)
- Promo 1993 (1993)
Studio albums
- Crossing the Fiery Path (Osmose, 1993)
- Scarlet Evil Witching Black (Osmose, 1995)
- IV: Malice (Black Lotus, 2000)
- The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven (Dockyard 1, 2007)
- To the Depths We Descend... (The Circle Music, 2021)
EPs / Split Albums
- The Black Arts / The Everlasting Sins (collaboration with Varathron; Black Power, 1992)
- From The Past We Summon Thee (Dark Side, 1995)
- Ancient Pride (Osmose, 1997)
- People of the Sea (Dark Side, 2008)
- ...For the Temple of the Serpent Skull... (joint release with Acherontas; Dark Side, 2008)
- Nekromanteion - A Collection of Arcane Hexes (split with Necromancy; Soulseller, 2014)
- Primordial Evil (split release alongside Rotting Christ; Black Vomit, 2017)
Compilation Albums
- Covering Evil (12 Years Doing The Devil's Work) (Black Lotus, 2001)
- Cults of the Shadow (features both Crossing the Fiery Path and Scarlet Evil Witching Black; Osmose, 2002)
- Necromantia box set (includes Crossing the Fiery Path, Scarlet Evil Witching Black, Ancient Pride, and IV: Malice; Black Lotus, 2006)
- De Magia Veterum (Dark Side Records, 2009)
- Chthonic Years / Demo Collection (Lvx Infernvm, 2018)
External links
- Necromantia biography at MusicMight
- [ Necromantia biography at Allmusic]