Demoncy
Encyclopedia
Demoncy is an American black metal
band formed in 1989 by guitarist Ixithra (also known as Wicked Warlock in Profanatica
). They are known for their sparse arrangements and ominous atmospheric chord progressions with emphasis on the interplay of rigidly structured harmonies against dissonant execution. Song lyrics are intentionally vague with interpretation left to the listener, but undeniably centered on occult
and magical themes. Not limiting themselves only to Satanism
or similarly popular paganist thinking, the band are fiercely anti-collectivist.
generally credited in the early 90s with establishing the minimalist USBM style, now much imitated in the so-called "Third Wave" of Black metal
They headlined the American Black metal Attack European Tour in 2004 and several other smaller circuits in the US, notably the Winds From The Void tour in 2007. Demoncy have also performed at the Full Moon Productions
annual invitation-only black metal convention in the Colorado Rockies known as the Gathering Of Shadows. Their dedication to serious musicianship has attracted the attention of some of Black metal's most respected visual artists, including Juanjo Castellano and Chris Moyen, who have both contributed their talents to Demoncy's cause.
in the band Profanatica
, and to pursue his many other musical projects. More low-fidelity recordings were eked out over the following years with lineup changes a constant hindrance, but it was with the 1999 offering "Joined In Darkness" that Demoncy finally found their place in the annals of Black metal history. Regarded by many as the finest example of USBM ever produced, "Joined In Darkness" has become something of an albatross for the band, a high-water mark by which all subsequent recordings were compared and dismissed. Most notoriously slighted was 2003's "Empire Of The Fallen Angel," a slickly produced and brutal release featuring a heavier more guttural vocal style. Despite purists' lament that the band had departed from form, Demoncy began to enjoy a larger influence and success in the wake of "Empire Of The Fallen Angel", touring the US and Europe and featuring in several metal festivals with metal artists Deicide
, Obituary
, Hate Eternal
and others. In 2004 the band was interviewed in the March issue of Terrorizer Magazine
and seemed poised for crossover appeal.
After a recording session in 2005 revealed that the music was being pushed in a more commercial direction Ixithra expressed his outrage by destroying the recordings, firing his bandmates, and withdrawing for a time into seclusion to refocus his designs. Although no subsequent full-lengths have been revealed to date, there have been many re-releases of previous works with newer artwork and added tracks. Recent live performances have reflected Ixithra's resolve to return to form, with greater emphasis on frightening atmospherics and older elements of the black metal style.
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band formed in 1989 by guitarist Ixithra (also known as Wicked Warlock in Profanatica
Profanatica
Profanatica is a black metal band from New York. They are among the American black metal bands to have emerged early during the Second Wave of black metal, and under the direction of Paul Ledney they have placed profound emphasis on blasphemous themes....
). They are known for their sparse arrangements and ominous atmospheric chord progressions with emphasis on the interplay of rigidly structured harmonies against dissonant execution. Song lyrics are intentionally vague with interpretation left to the listener, but undeniably centered on occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
and magical themes. Not limiting themselves only to Satanism
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
or similarly popular paganist thinking, the band are fiercely anti-collectivist.
Significance
Demoncy are among those bands such as Absu, Black Witchery, and Judas IscariotJudas Iscariot (band)
Judas Iscariot was an American black metal band. It began in 1992 as the solo-project of Andrew Harris, who performed under the pseudonym Akhenaten ....
generally credited in the early 90s with establishing the minimalist USBM style, now much imitated in the so-called "Third Wave" of Black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
They headlined the American Black metal Attack European Tour in 2004 and several other smaller circuits in the US, notably the Winds From The Void tour in 2007. Demoncy have also performed at the Full Moon Productions
Full Moon Productions
Full Moon Productions is a record company started in May 1991 by Jon "Thorns" Jamshid from Lakeland, Florida. After releasing the first issue of Petrified 'zine, Thorns decided to sign several black metal bands which included Burzum, Hades , Algaion, Nåstrond and Vlad Tepes...
annual invitation-only black metal convention in the Colorado Rockies known as the Gathering Of Shadows. Their dedication to serious musicianship has attracted the attention of some of Black metal's most respected visual artists, including Juanjo Castellano and Chris Moyen, who have both contributed their talents to Demoncy's cause.
History
The band originally formed in 1989 as a solo project by Ixithra, alternately calling himself the Wicked Warlock Of Demonic Shadows or Lord Of The Sylvan Shadows. It would take three years before the single "Impure Blessings (Dark Angel Of The Four Wings)" was released, and another two before their first full-length "Faustian Dawn." During this time Ixithra had difficulties with bandmates that he considered incompetent and insincere that impeded his designs. Constant revisions of the lineup prompted Ixithra to temporarily abandon Demoncy and collaborate with former members of IncantationIncantation (band)
Incantation is an American death metal band that was formed by John McEntee and Paul Ledney in 1989. They are one of the leaders in the New York Death Metal scene along with fellow bands Suffocation and Immolation, even though the band is currently located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.The band has...
in the band Profanatica
Profanatica
Profanatica is a black metal band from New York. They are among the American black metal bands to have emerged early during the Second Wave of black metal, and under the direction of Paul Ledney they have placed profound emphasis on blasphemous themes....
, and to pursue his many other musical projects. More low-fidelity recordings were eked out over the following years with lineup changes a constant hindrance, but it was with the 1999 offering "Joined In Darkness" that Demoncy finally found their place in the annals of Black metal history. Regarded by many as the finest example of USBM ever produced, "Joined In Darkness" has become something of an albatross for the band, a high-water mark by which all subsequent recordings were compared and dismissed. Most notoriously slighted was 2003's "Empire Of The Fallen Angel," a slickly produced and brutal release featuring a heavier more guttural vocal style. Despite purists' lament that the band had departed from form, Demoncy began to enjoy a larger influence and success in the wake of "Empire Of The Fallen Angel", touring the US and Europe and featuring in several metal festivals with metal artists Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
, Obituary
Obituary (band)
Obituary is an American death metal band formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida under the name Executioner, then changed the name's spelling to Xecutioner, and later changed their name to Obituary in 1988. The band comprises vocalist John Tardy, drummer Donald Tardy, guitarists Trevor Peres and Ralph...
, Hate Eternal
Hate Eternal
-Biography:Hate Eternal was formed in 1997. The group's original line-up included Erik Rutan - guitars/vocals, bassist and co-vocalist Jared Anderson, drummer Tim Yeung, and guitarist Doug Cerrito of the band Suffocation...
and others. In 2004 the band was interviewed in the March issue of Terrorizer Magazine
Terrorizer Magazine
Terrorizer is an extreme music magazine published by Dark Arts Ltd. in the United Kingdom. It is released every four weeks with thirteen issues a year and features a 'Fear Candy' covermount CD, a twice yearly 'Fear Candy Unsigned' CD, and a double-sided poster.-1993:Terrorizer published its first...
and seemed poised for crossover appeal.
After a recording session in 2005 revealed that the music was being pushed in a more commercial direction Ixithra expressed his outrage by destroying the recordings, firing his bandmates, and withdrawing for a time into seclusion to refocus his designs. Although no subsequent full-lengths have been revealed to date, there have been many re-releases of previous works with newer artwork and added tracks. Recent live performances have reflected Ixithra's resolve to return to form, with greater emphasis on frightening atmospherics and older elements of the black metal style.
Former
- Diabolicus - Vocals
- Elsiferian - Guitars
- Synvorlath - Vocals
- Aeldeost - Guitar
- Xelac - Bass
- Vorthrus - Guitars
- Vetharanyn - Lyricist
- Vlasoroth - Guitars
- Neptersu - Bass
- Horidus - Vocals
- Scorpios - Bass, vocals
- Drathrul - Guitars
Discography
- 1991 Impure Blessings (Dark Angel of the Four Wings)
- 1993 Faustian Dawn
- 1994 Hypocrisy Of The Accursed Heavens
- 1995 Ascension Of A Star Long Since Fallen
- 1995 The Dawn Of Eternal Damnation
- 1996 Commencement Of The Dark Crusades
- 1999 Within The Sylvan Realms Of Frost
- 1999 Joined in Darkness
- 2000 American Black metal Assault (Various Artists)
- 2002 Faustian Dawn Re-release - remixed remastered with 2 bonus tracks
- 2002 Within The Sylvan Realms Of Frost Re-release
- 2002 Faustian Dawn/ Within The Sylvan Realms Of Frost 2 Disk Re-release
- 2002 Joined In Darkness Re-release - remixed remastered with 2 bonus tracks
- 2003 Empire Of The Fallen Angel
- 2003 Demoncy Live DVD
- 2004 Demoncy / Dark Opus Split
- 2005 Destroyers From The Western Skies (Various Artists)
- 2006 Gathering Of Shadows DVD
- 2007 Joined In Darkness Re-Release re-mastered and re-released
- 2007 Faustian Dawn/ Within The Sylvan Realms Of Frost Re-release