Necromance
Encyclopedia
Necromance was a Christian gothic metal
band from Spremberg
, Germany
, formed in 1987, disbanded in 2002. Originally signed to Morbid Records as a death metal act and later signed to Pleitegeier Records after changing the music style, the band built a reputation in the underground scenes touring with groups such as Demigod
. Necromance released two albums in the 1990s: White Gothic
(1997) and Wiederkehr der Schmerzen
(1999). Their 2001 album Tribulation Force
showcased a strong industrial metal influence. The band has toured Europe, and performed on notable European festivals such as Freakstock in Germany. Their two latest albums were well-received by magazines such as Rock Hard and Metal Heart. The band leader Runhardt Scheffler typically writes lyrics about the End Times.
and Lubricant. After recruiting a keyboard player to its line up, the band began playing gothic metal in 1992. Necromance released a split-cd with Enslaved (Ger) in 1991 and the demos Slow Death (1991), The Dwarf (1992), split-cd Zander 1993, and a demo called The Parable of the Weed (1994). In 1993 at one concert, a group of right-wing extremists attacked the band and murdered the band's driver, Mike Zerna. During 1994 two members left Necromance, and the band became Christian. Their line up was: Sandra (vocals, guitar), René (synthesizer), Mike (guitar) Runhardt (vocals, guitar).
Necromance recorded their first album White Gothic
in 1997. After the release, they signed a record deal with Pleitegeier Records. In 1999, they released Wiederkehr der Schmerzen
on this label. The album incorporated more industrial elements. Later in 2001, these elements became more apparent on their sound when they recorded the album Tribulation Force
. For the recording line up, the band was joined by Raphaela Polterman for vocals, and Jean Schulze returned as a drummer. The album was produced by Mozart and Lutz Demmler of the German gothic and industrial metal band Umbra et Imago
. The album's production was more expensive than on their previous works, and according to the band, Tribulation Force did not receive any marketing from the label. As a result, Necromance sold all their instruments to cover the costs and disbanded in April 2002.
Since then the band has not released new material. Their website has gone offline but few years ago the band gave their first two albums as free downloads on their site. However, on December 23, 2007 the band launched an official MySpace page.
, London After Midnight
and Fields of the Nephilim
while also experimenting with abstract, almost industrial sounds implemented in many of their songs. Some of Necromance's songs have elements of their old German death metal roots, notably the rough vocals. Some songs are sung in German, with the majority in English. Necromance's music is guitar driven, and the songs are characterized by minimalistic structures, danceable drums, melancholic atmosphere, and symphonic keyboards. Necromance shares vocal duties between male and female vocalists. Runhardt's vocals are deep, aggressive and raspy. Their lyrics are described as sometimes almost worshipful and typically talk about the End Times based on the Book of Revelation
.
Former members:
Gothic metal
Gothic metal or goth metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of doom metal with the dark melancholy of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music...
band from Spremberg
Spremberg
Spremberg is a village near to the city of Hoyerswerda in the Spree-Neiße district of Brandenburg, Germany. The village was first mentioned in 1956. The village alone has only 9,588 Inhabitants, the hole region has 21,361 Inhabitants-Geography:...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, formed in 1987, disbanded in 2002. Originally signed to Morbid Records as a death metal act and later signed to Pleitegeier Records after changing the music style, the band built a reputation in the underground scenes touring with groups such as Demigod
Demigod (band)
Demigod was a death metal band formed in 1990 in Loimaa, Finland. The band's debut album Slumber of Sullen Eyes is highly regarded in the heavy metal community...
. Necromance released two albums in the 1990s: White Gothic
White Gothic
White Gothic is the debut album by the German gothic metal band Necromance released in 1997.-Recording:The album was released on independently in 1997 and the band self-marketed the album to magazines. Afterwards the band signed a record deal with Pleitegeier Records.Musically, the album's style is...
(1997) and Wiederkehr der Schmerzen
Wiederkehr der Schmerzen
Wiederkehr der Schmerzen is the second album by the German gothic metal band Necromance, released on Pleitegeier Records in 1999.-Recording:...
(1999). Their 2001 album Tribulation Force
Tribulation Force (album)
Tribulation Force is the third album by the German gothic metal band Necromance, released on Pleitegeier Records in 2001. While considered the band's best effort by many, the album did not receive any advertising, leading to poor sales and forced Necromance to split up.-Recording:Following the...
showcased a strong industrial metal influence. The band has toured Europe, and performed on notable European festivals such as Freakstock in Germany. Their two latest albums were well-received by magazines such as Rock Hard and Metal Heart. The band leader Runhardt Scheffler typically writes lyrics about the End Times.
Biography
The band was formed under the name Secret Attack in 1987 and played death metal. In 1989 they changed the name to Necromance, and toured Europe in the early 1990s with DemigodDemigod (band)
Demigod was a death metal band formed in 1990 in Loimaa, Finland. The band's debut album Slumber of Sullen Eyes is highly regarded in the heavy metal community...
and Lubricant. After recruiting a keyboard player to its line up, the band began playing gothic metal in 1992. Necromance released a split-cd with Enslaved (Ger) in 1991 and the demos Slow Death (1991), The Dwarf (1992), split-cd Zander 1993, and a demo called The Parable of the Weed (1994). In 1993 at one concert, a group of right-wing extremists attacked the band and murdered the band's driver, Mike Zerna. During 1994 two members left Necromance, and the band became Christian. Their line up was: Sandra (vocals, guitar), René (synthesizer), Mike (guitar) Runhardt (vocals, guitar).
Necromance recorded their first album White Gothic
White Gothic
White Gothic is the debut album by the German gothic metal band Necromance released in 1997.-Recording:The album was released on independently in 1997 and the band self-marketed the album to magazines. Afterwards the band signed a record deal with Pleitegeier Records.Musically, the album's style is...
in 1997. After the release, they signed a record deal with Pleitegeier Records. In 1999, they released Wiederkehr der Schmerzen
Wiederkehr der Schmerzen
Wiederkehr der Schmerzen is the second album by the German gothic metal band Necromance, released on Pleitegeier Records in 1999.-Recording:...
on this label. The album incorporated more industrial elements. Later in 2001, these elements became more apparent on their sound when they recorded the album Tribulation Force
Tribulation Force (album)
Tribulation Force is the third album by the German gothic metal band Necromance, released on Pleitegeier Records in 2001. While considered the band's best effort by many, the album did not receive any advertising, leading to poor sales and forced Necromance to split up.-Recording:Following the...
. For the recording line up, the band was joined by Raphaela Polterman for vocals, and Jean Schulze returned as a drummer. The album was produced by Mozart and Lutz Demmler of the German gothic and industrial metal band Umbra et Imago
Umbra et imago
Umbra et Imago is a German Gothic metal and Neue Deutsche Härte band formed in autumn 1991. The original lineup consisted of singer Mozart , Michael Gillian, Nail and Torsten B...
. The album's production was more expensive than on their previous works, and according to the band, Tribulation Force did not receive any marketing from the label. As a result, Necromance sold all their instruments to cover the costs and disbanded in April 2002.
Since then the band has not released new material. Their website has gone offline but few years ago the band gave their first two albums as free downloads on their site. However, on December 23, 2007 the band launched an official MySpace page.
Music
Necromance's music is said to have strong romantic old school gothic influences that pushes back into the early style of bands such as BauhausBauhaus (band)
Bauhaus was an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy , Daniel Ash , Kevin Haskins and David J . The band was originally Bauhaus 1919 before they dropped the numerical portion within a year of formation...
, London After Midnight
London After Midnight (band)
London After Midnight is a project formed in the 1990s by songwriter and instrumentalist Sean Brennan. It is active to the present day....
and Fields of the Nephilim
Fields of the Nephilim
Fields of the Nephilim are an English gothic rock band formed in Stevenage, Hertfordshire in 1984. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Carl McCoy, saxophonist Gary Whisker, Tony Pettitt on bass, guitarist Paul Wright and drummer Alexander "Nod" Wright...
while also experimenting with abstract, almost industrial sounds implemented in many of their songs. Some of Necromance's songs have elements of their old German death metal roots, notably the rough vocals. Some songs are sung in German, with the majority in English. Necromance's music is guitar driven, and the songs are characterized by minimalistic structures, danceable drums, melancholic atmosphere, and symphonic keyboards. Necromance shares vocal duties between male and female vocalists. Runhardt's vocals are deep, aggressive and raspy. Their lyrics are described as sometimes almost worshipful and typically talk about the End Times based on the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
.
Discography
- White GothicWhite GothicWhite Gothic is the debut album by the German gothic metal band Necromance released in 1997.-Recording:The album was released on independently in 1997 and the band self-marketed the album to magazines. Afterwards the band signed a record deal with Pleitegeier Records.Musically, the album's style is...
(1997) - Wiederkehr der SchmerzenWiederkehr der SchmerzenWiederkehr der Schmerzen is the second album by the German gothic metal band Necromance, released on Pleitegeier Records in 1999.-Recording:...
(1999) - Tribulation ForceTribulation Force (album)Tribulation Force is the third album by the German gothic metal band Necromance, released on Pleitegeier Records in 2001. While considered the band's best effort by many, the album did not receive any advertising, leading to poor sales and forced Necromance to split up.-Recording:Following the...
(2001)
Line up
- Runhardt Scheffler - vocals, guitar
- Raphaela Poltermann - vocals
- René Schwulera - synthesizer
- Jean Schulze - drums
Former members:
- Mike Winkler - guitar
- Sandra Bogdan - vocals
- Mike Petrick - vocals, bass
- Mario Eckert - bass
External links
- Necromance at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Official Website
- Necromance at Last.fmLast.fmLast.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
- Necromance at Metal-Archives