Azrael (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Azrael


Img_capt =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Minnesota, USA
Genre = black metal
Years_active = 1999 — present
Label = Moribund Records
Current_members = Lord Samaiza, Algol
Past_members = Tharengraff, Tanner Anderson (Unknown Goat)

Azrael is a black metal band from Minnesota, USA, formed by Lord Samaiza and AlgolVampire Magazine {http://www.vampire-magazine.com/showband.php?bid=8928}] in 1999. In 2000, their first demo tape entitled "Virulent Darkness" was self-released by the band. In 2001, their second demo tape "Unto Death" was self-released. In early 2002 Azrael released an extremely limited rehearsal demo consisting of improvised ambient/noise experimentation simply entitled "Noise". In late 2002, "Obdurate" was released on Desastrious Records. In 2003, "Into Shadows Act 1: Denial" was released on Moribund Records. [ [http://www.moribundcult.com/album_azrael_denial.html Moribund Records ] ] "Into Shadows Act ll: Through Horned Shadows Glimpse" was released in 2004 on Moribund Records. [ [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=8&id=4745 The Metal Observer - Azrael ] ] Azrael contributed an exclusive track entitled "Illumination" to the "Destroyers From the Western Skies compilation cd on Killzone records. [ [http://www.killzone-records.com/index.php/Releases/Various-Destroyers-From-The-Western-Skies.html Killzone Records - Various - Destroyers From The Western Skies ] ] In early 2007 Azrael released a double-cd entitled "Act III-Self....Act IV-Goat" on Moribund Records. Azrael will be re-releasingboth the "Obdurate" and "Unto Death" demos as a single cd through Moribund records in 2008.

Musical style

Azrael started out as a more traditional black metal band. The band themselves describe their first demo as "much more traditional and primitive than our later works...somewhat of a feeling out process for us." [http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1817&lang=en Azrael | Interview | Lords Of Metal metal E-zine - Issue 73: September 2007 ] ] With each release they began to add more experimental and unique elements, the Unto Death demo "was a huge leap forward for us...we were beginning to add some abstract and ambient elements such as the 20 minute noise/ambient track at the end of the demo." With the release of Into Shadows Act II, the band was "beginning to experiment much more and creating verysic unique soundscapes and atmospheres." Azrael now describes their current sound as "experimental, atmospheric, dark/black metal."

Members

*Lord Samaiza - electric & acoustic guitar & Vocals 1999-
*Algol - electric & upright bass & drums 1999-

Past members

*Tharengraff - Drums 2001-2003
*Tanner Anderson (Unknown Goat) - guitar 2004-05

Discography

*"Virulent Darkness" (demo) 2000 self released.
*"Unto Death" (demo) 2001 self released.
*"Noise Rehearsal" (demo) 2002 self released
*"Obdurate" 2003, Desastrious Records.
*"Into Shadows Act I: Denial" 2003, Moribund Records.
*"Into Shadows Act II:Through Horned Shadows Glimpse" 2004, Moribund Records.
*"Illumination" on "Destroyers From the Western Skies" compilation CD 2005, Killzone Records.
*"Act III:Self...Act IV:Goat" double-cd 2007, Moribund Records.

References