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Amon Amarth is a viking-themed melodic death metal band from Sweden founded in 1992 in Tumba, named after a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The name means "Mount Doom" in Sindarin.

The five Swedish musicians are known for their songs based on Norse Mythology, with such tunes as The Arrival of The Fimbul Winter, Pursuit of Vikings and Versus the World.

Formed under the name Scum, they switched to the name Amon Amarth in 1992 and released a demo recording, The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter, in 1994, selling all 1000 demo discs in less than 12 hours. With the release of the album Once Sent From the Golden Hall in 1998 their popularity rose on an international level and since has brought forth multiple U.S. tours, two music videos and appearances in over 100 metal magazines.

Their latest album, With Oden on our Side was released September 22nd (Germany/Austria/Switzerland) / September 25th (Europe) / October 5th (Canada). (Amon Amarth - Wikipedia)

We hold the rivers of the Eastern trail
Deep in the land of the Rus'
Following the wind in our sails
And the rhythm of the oars

No shelter in this hostile land
Constantly on guard
Ready to fight and defend
Ours ships 'til the bitter end

We came under attack
I received a deadly wound
A spear was forced into my back
Still I fought on

When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory

Now here I lie on the river bank
A long, long way from home
Life is pouring out of me
Soon I will be gone

I tilt my head to the side
And think of those back home
I see the river rushing by
Like blood runs from my wound

Here I lie on wet sand
I will not make it home
I clench my sword in my hand
Say farewell to those I love

When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Place my weapons by my side
For the journey to Valhall up high

When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory

Morbid Angel is a Florida-based death metal band assembled in 1983. They, along with Death, Possessed, Entombed, Obituary and a handful of others were crucial in the development of the death metal genre and its standards. UK music magazine Terrorizer ranked 2 Morbid Angel albums in its 'Top 40 Greatest Death Metal Albums', with Altars of Madness appearing at #1. Its songs are complex in arrangement, owing to the considerable technical skills of guitarist Trey Azagthoth and drummer Pete Sandoval who was formally in the Grindcore/Death Metal band Terrorizer.

History

Morbid Angel was one of the original death metal bands signed to Earache Records, and was also influential in the transition of death metal from its thrash metal roots to its current form by adding up-tempo blast beats, inspired by grindcore, incorporating atonality in guitar soloing, and groove-oriented rhythms.[citation needed] It was also the first death metal band to have a touch of mainstream success, such as being signed to Giant Records in 1993 and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butthead.

The original lyrical themes focused mostly on Satanism and anti-Christian subject matter, but from second album Blessed Are the Sick onward, the lyrics slowly moved toward the ancient Sumerian gods, though much of this is a nod to the Simon Necronomicon, which was influenced by Sumerian mythology as well as the author H. P. Lovecraft[1]), as well as a fascination with the Roman Empire, though anti-religious elements continue to permeate the lyrics.

Morbid Angel albums have been released with titles descending in alphabetical order. The band is currently writing and recording a new studio album due for release sometime in 2007, and will likely keep the trend with a title beginning with the letter "I".

Line-up

* Trey Azagthoth - lead guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboards, vocals (1983-present)
* Pete Sandoval - drums (1988-present)
* David Vincent - vocals, bass guitar (1986-1996, 2004-present)

Gorgoroth was founded in Norway by Hat (vocals), Goat (drums) and Infernus (guitars) in 1992. The name Gorgoroth is taken form the book Lord of The Rings, Gorgoroth is a dark and lifeless field where evil grows. In 1993 Gorgoroth released their first demo called "A Sorcery Written In Blood", Kjettar joined in on bass for that demo, but left right after.

After the demo, Gorgoroth signed to Embassy Rec. where they also released their first album, "Pentagram" in 1994. Samoth of Emperor did the bass on Pentagram. After the the release of Pentagram, Goat and Samoth left the band.

In 1996 Gorgoroth signed to Malicious Rec. which re-released Pentagram, the same year Gorgoroth released their second album Antichrist. On that album, Pest of Obtained Enslavement did the vocals and Frost of Satyricon did the drums, while Infernus played bass and guitar, and Hat did some vocals on track 2, 3 and 6. Later that year, Gorgoroth also released the MCD "The Last Tormentor", on that album Grim (Immortal, Borknagar etc.) replaced Frost on the drums while Ares of Aeternus joined on the bass.

In 1997, Gorgoroth released their last album on Malicious Rec. It was called "Under The Sign Of Hell". The same year Gorgoroth and the rest of the BM scene suffered a great loss when Grim died after drug abuse.

Late 1997, Gorgoroth signed to Nuclear Blast, and the following year they released the full-length album "Destroyer". The line-up for this album consisted of Infernus on bass and guitar, Tormentor on guitar, Gaahl from Trelldom on vocals, Vrolok of Aeternus on drums, Ares on bass, and T.Reaper on bass. Also contributing on this album was Pest on vocals, Frost on drums and Daimonion with some synth. In 1998, Gorgoroth also participated on the Darkthrone tribute "Darkthrone Holy Darkthrone", Gorgoroth covered Slottet I Det Fjerne, which also is an unlisted track on Destroyer. Much of the material on this album was recorded many years earlier, like track 3., which was recorded in 1994.

In 2000, the BM scene was once again amazed by maybe the best release of Gorgoroth ever, "Incipit Satan" hit the stores early 2000, the line-up for this album was Infernus (guitar and vocals), Tormentor (guitar), Gaahl (vocals), Sjt. Erichsen (drums) and King of Hell on bass. In early 2000, Sjt. Erichsen was replaced by a new drummer named Kvitrafn (ex-Det Hedenske Folk).

In late April 2004 Gorgoroth parted ways with their label Nuclear Blast. In late January 2005 they signed a new deal with the Swedish label Regain Records.

Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, that formed in 1981.[1] Although initially influenced by 1980s glam metal/hard rock bands, thrash metal acts such as Slayer and Metallica as well as traditional metal bands such as Black Sabbath would prove to be influential in the band's significant change in musical direction at the end of the 1980s. From there, Pantera became a key formulator of the groove metal (post-thrash) subgenre of heavy metal music.

It would not be until nine years after forming that Pantera saw its first bit of commercial success in its major label debut, Cowboys from Hell. From there, Pantera became one of the most celebrated heavy metal bands of the 1990s. Despite the generally cold reception of the band's first four albums, critics have lauded Pantera's style thereafter; Jason Birchmeier of the All Music Guide considers Pantera to be "arguably the greatest metal band of '90s and ... one of the greatest and most influential metal bands ever."[2] The band has received accolades such as ranking 45 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock"[3] and fifth on MTV's "Top 10 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands of All-Time".[4]

Due to long-standing internal conflicts, Pantera dissolved in 2003. The following year, the band's guitarist, Dimebag Darrell, was shot and killed on-stage while performing with his new band, Damageplan.

Death was an influential death metal band from the United States that was founded in 1983 and dissolved in 1999. Founder/vocalist/guitarist Chuck Schuldiner is widely credited as one of the international pioneers of the death metal genre and the Death debut Scream Bloody Gore is considered a genre template.

Early History (1983-1987)

Founded in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner under the original name of Mantas in Orlando, Death were among the more widely known, early pioneers of the death metal sound along with fellow Florida band Morbid Angel. In the late 80s, the band was both a part of and integral in defining the death metal scene which gained international recognition with the release of albums by a number of area acts.

Together with Kam Lee (Barney Lee), and Rick Rozz (Frederick DeLillo), Schuldiner started to compose songs that were released on several rehearsal tapes in 1984. These tapes, along with the Death by Metal demo, circulated through the tape trader world, quickly establishing the band's name. In 1984, Schuldiner dissolved Mantas and quickly started a new band under the name Death. Its members included the same Rick Rozz and Kam Lee. Another demo was released, called Reign of Terror.

In 1985, after the Infernal Death tape was recorded and released, Schuldiner fired Lee and Rozz in favour of Repulsion's bassist and guitarist, Scott Carlson and Matt Olivio, respectively. However, a drummer could not be found; consequently the band dissolved again. Schuldiner moved to San Francisco and recruited DRI drummer Eric Brecht, but he was not happy with this incarnation of Death and moved back to Florida without a band. There, in 1986, Schuldiner got an invitation from early Canadian thrash band Slaughter to play on their album, which he accepted, moving to Canada. This only lasted two weeks, however, as he found the situation not to his liking. He returned to Florida, then moved quickly to San Francisco again, where he joined with Chris Reifert. They recorded the Mutilation demo, which led to a deal with Combat Records, owned by Important Distribution (later becoming Relativity), that enabled them to record the first LP.

Scream Bloody Gore was released in 1987. Schuldiner briefly had a second guitar player, John Hand, but Hand did not appear on the album (though his photo did). By this time Schuldiner moved back to Florida, leaving Chris Reifert behind. There, Schuldiner teamed up with former bandmate Rick Rozz and two members of Rozz's band Massacre, Terry Butler and Bill Andrews.

The mid-era (1988-1992)

In 1988, that lineup recorded Leprosy. After much gigging in support of the album, including a quick and ill-planned tour of Europe, Rick Rozz was fired in 1989. After a tour of Mexico featuring guitarist Paul Masvidal (later to re-emerge in the Death camp), a replacement was found in James Murphy, with whom the third album Spiritual Healing was recorded in Tampa in the summer of 1989. Murphy was sacked relatively quickly. By this time Schuldiner abandoned the "gore" lyrical theme for more social critique as Death's musical style progressed from simple brutal death metal to complex, technical death metal. Additional melody was added to the band's sound as well as more varied timings and song structures.

In 1990, on the eve of a European tour, Schuldiner decided against traveling, claiming at the last minute that he felt the tour was not adequately organized (and citing the group's previous disorganized European tour in 1988). Andrews and Butler continued with the tour of Europe as 'Death' regardless and recruited roadies Walter Trachsler (guitar) and Louie Carrisalez (vocals) to replace Schuldiner, much to Schuldiner's shock and disgust. Schuldiner took legal action when the dust settled and Butler and Andrews were expelled from the band.

Schuldiner abandoned the idea of a band set-up altogether and began working with session musicians only. Schuldiner hired Steve DiGiorgio and recruited Sean Reinert and Paul Masvidal from underground Florida band Cynic. 1991's Human was Death's best-selling album yet, receiving many accolades and some MTV play for the group's first video, directed by David Bellino, for the track Lack of Comprehension. Due to obligations with his primary band Sadus, DiGiorgio was forced to depart after the recording of Human and new bassist Skott Carino did Death's extensive world tour, from October 1991 until March 1992, in addition to appearing in the music video for Lack of Comprehension.

During this period of 1988-92, Death was managed by Eric Greif, a rocky relationship that culminated in at least two lawsuits between Greif and Schuldiner. However, when interviewed by Thrash 'n Burn, Schuldiner was characteristically mellow about what the writer referred to as his "gruesome collaboration" with Greif: "We just came to the conclusion that it was stupid just fighting all the time, taking each other to court and all that stupid shit." After his final break from Greif, Schuldiner managed himself for the remainder of his career.

The final years (1993-2001)

In 1993, Reinert and Masvidal left the group to continue with Cynic, Schuldiner being unable to persuade them otherwise. Schuldiner replaced them with Gene Hoglan of the recently dissolved thrash metal band Dark Angel, and worked with guitarist Andy LaRocque from King Diamond for Individual Thought Patterns. LaRocque being obligated to his band, Schuldiner hired a then-unknown Ralph Santolla as touring guitarist. Death was arguably at the peak of their commercial and popular culture success, and the video for the track The Philosopher, a lyrical slam against former guitarist Masvidal,[2] even made it on to a Beavis & Butt-head episode in 1994 (Butt-head also parodies Schuldiner's vocals in a mock 'drive-thru' order of 'tacos, to go!' in death-metal style). Also in 1994, Death abandoned their eight year relationship with Relativity and signed with Roadrunner Records, their European distributor. For 1995's Symbolic, Santolla and DiGiorgio were exchanged for underground Florida musicians Kelly Conlon and Bobby Koelbe.

After Symbolic, Schuldiner dissolved the band and all ties with Roadrunner and began writing songs for Control Denied. It was during this time that Schuldiner briefly worked with Florida studio guitarist James Hogan. Schuldiner was still contractually obligated to record an album under Nuclear Blast with Death, and so he used several songs that were intended to be used for Control Denied, as several song titles on The Sound of Perseverance were originally Control Denied song titles. He re-formed Death with Florida musicians Richard Christy, Shannon Hamm and Scott Clendenin to record 1998's The Sound of Perseverance with his new label Nuclear Blast.

After the album and two supporting tours, Schuldiner dissolved Death to pursue Control Denied with Christy and Hamm. Clendenin was dropped in favor of Steve DiGiorgio, who was once again available, and an underground power metal singer named Tim Aymar. As Schuldiner finished Control Denied's debut album, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, forcing the band to scrap plans for a US and Canadian tour. As he worked on the second release, the disease overcame him, and he died on December 13, 2001. (Death - Wikipedia)

Gorgoroth is a black metal band from Bergen, Norway. The band has gone through numerous lineup changes, leaving guitarist Infernus as the only remaining original member. Their style, however, has remained relatively consistent from album to album. Though they never print their lyrics, their imagery and general stance focuses primarily on satanism, anti-Christianity, and other such topics. The name Gorgoroth is taken from the J.R.R. Tolkien series The Lord of the Rings, in which it is a dead plateau of evil and darkness in the land of Mordor.

Much controversy has surrounded the band, especially frontman Gaahl. Band members openly insist their music is primarily a catalyst to aid anti-Christian sentiment, criticizing those who listen to their music without sharing such ideology [1]. Additionally, Gaahl has been referred to as "the most despised man in Norway", following a series of violent convictions (most noteably his prolonged six-hour torture of a man in Norway, which resulted in a 9 month prison sentence).

Biography

Gorgoroth was formed in 1992 by guitarist Infernus, vocalist Hat, and drummer Goatpervertor. In 1993, the band released their first demo, entitled A Sorcery Written In Blood. It was also released as a split album with Burzum entitled Burzum & Gorgoroth; it contained the same tracks as the demo plus various Burzum songs. After the demo was released, Gorgoroth signed a record deal with Embassy Records and started work on their debut full-length Pentagram. The infamous Samoth of Emperor participated on the album by recording the bass tracks. After Pentagram was completed and released, Goat left the band and was replaced temporarily by Frost from Satyricon. This led the band directly into the recording of Antichrist, their second release. Vocalist Hat decided to leave Gorgoroth in 1995, but not until after he had finished recording the vocal tracks. It was at this time Gorgoroth's well-known vocalist Pest joined. Antichrist was a highly successful release, and led to the band's first live performances supporting Cradle of Filth. They also toured Norway and England with Satyricon and Dissection. Soon the name Gorgoroth was commonplace in the black metal underground, if somewhat overshadowed by some of the more famous black metal bands such as Mayhem or Emperor.

Following the release of the band's third album, Under the Sign of Hell (1997), and Gorgoroth's first headlining European tour, the well-known German heavy metal record label Nuclear Blast sought to sign Gorgoroth. The band accepted the offer in 1998. The first album recorded and released for Nuclear Blast was Destroyer (1998). New singer Gaahl joined the band at this time, but was heard on only one song—the title track—on Destroyer.

In 1999, Gorgoroth began journeying into unknown territory with the recording of Incipit Satan. Though written by Infernus once again, the album delved into musical ideas not expanded upon by the group in previous recordings. Songs such as "Will to Power" showcased strong industrial, dark ambient, and noise influences (more so than on Destroyer and Under the Sign of Hell, both of which showed signs of experimentation). The song "When Love Rages Wild in My Heart" featured clean, bluesy vocals . Overall, the album displayed progressive tendencies, yet still retained a traditional black metal edge and Infernus' signature sound.

Three years later, after further line-up changes, Gorgoroth began writing their new album Twilight of the Idols. The album showed a return to a more solidified black metal style, but was still quite different from early Gorgoroth releases, mainly due to the fact that most of the album's songs were written by bassist King ov Hell rather than Infernus. After the release of Twilight of the Idols, Gorgoroth terminated their contract with Nuclear Blast.

In 2006 Gorgoroth released Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam through Regain Records. For the recording, Frost performed on the drums again. This album helped the band to expand its fan base. Gorgoroth was nominated in the "Metal" category at the 35th annual Spellemann Awards for this album (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards).

Guitarist Infernus is currently starting his own record label called Forces of Satan.