Children of Bodom

 Today in 1998 Children Of Bodom released the single Downfall

Espoo,Finland Melodic Death/Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1993-1997 (as Inearthed), 1997-present

Named for an infamous murder case in their homeland (The Lake Bodom Murders), Children Of Bodom quickly became one of the top metal bands from Finland, with their potent and oft-imitated blend of progressive-laced speed/power metal with ferocious black vocals proving to be a hit with metal fans the world over, as evidenced by their Top Ten placings in the 2000's.

Spinefarm Records

Henkka T. Blacksmith Bass

Jaska W. Raatikainen Drums

Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho Vocals, Guitars (lead)

Janne "Warman" Wirman Keyboards

Alexander Kuoppala Guitars (rhythm)

Guest/Session

Kaapro Ikonen (R.I.P. 2016) Vocals on "No Commands"

1. Downfall 04:37

2. No Commands (Stone cover) 04:49

09:26

Trivia:

-Includes a necklace

Skepticism

 Today in 1997 Skepticism released the EP Ethere

Riihimäki,Finland Funeral Doom Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1991-present

Finnish experimentalists Skepticism are one of the leading purveyors of what some call "funeral doom". The songs contain little standard structure, and consist mostly of ultra-slow, droning riffs, minimalist percussion (often not drums in the traditional metal sense), and vocals that are raspy, growly, and haunting, yet somewhat subdued in their approach. The predominant instrument, though, is the keyboards, which often have that classic evil church organ sound that places the listener in the perfect frame of mind. This is not upbeat metal, and it's not headbanging metal, but what it is is wonderfully done, ambient sorrowful extreme music.

Red Stream, Inc. Records

Lasse Pelkonen Drums

Jani Kekarainen Guitars

Eero Pöyry Keyboards

Matti Tilaeus Vocals

1. The March and the Stream 12:00

2. Aether 08:41

3. Chorale 06:40

27:21

All music and lyrics written by Skepticism 1993-1997.

Photography by Skepticism.

The reissue has the old Red Stream logo removed from the booklet and an updated address.

Recording information:

Recorded in spring-fall of 1997.

Produced by Skepticism.

Christ Agony

 Today in 1997 Christ Agony released the album darkside

Morąg (early), Olsztyn (later),Poland Melodic Black Metal

Status:Active

Years active:1990-2005, 2005-2007 (as Union), 2007-present

Christ Agony is one of Poland's cult underground extreme metal bands, having formed in 1990 by guitarist/vocalist Cezar. Cezar has been the one mainstay in the band, the lineups frequently changing over the years. Reviewed here are two mid-period albums, 1995's Moonlight Act III and its successor, Darkside, released in 1997. The band is broadly in the black metal camp, though their style isn't quite the traditional black metal style, instead borrowing more from traditional metal riffing, with an epic, drawn-out songwriting style. Moonlight is the more conventional of the two albums, as Darkside is much more experimental, with industrial touches, a more somber, melancholic feel (in places), and some clean singing. On the strength of these two albums, Christ Agony hasn't quite reached must-hear status, but their somewhat original style is commendable, and that alone makes them an interesting listen.

Hammerheart Records

Cezar Vocals, Guitars

Maciej "Gilan" Liszewski Drums, Percussion

Mauser Bass

Guest/Session

Marcin Rumiński Flute

Yogi Vocals (backing)

Doc (R.I.P. 2005) Drums (additional)

1. The Triangle (Prayer, Sonet, Throne) 06:06

2. Heredity 05:14

3. Dark Beauty 02:28

4. Kingdom of Abyss 04:23

5. My Spirit Seal (Dream Version) 03:07

6. Dark Poem 02:22

7. Dark Goddes 03:59

8. Darkside (Eternal, Beauteous Death) 05:45

9. The Key 03:21

10. My Spirit Seal (Blood Version) 03:15

40:00

Recorded at Selani Studio / Olsztyn, 7.08 - 10.08 & 4.10 - 14.10 of 1996.

Asphyx

 Today in 1996 Asphyx released the album Embrace The Death

Oldenzaal, Overijssel,Netherlands Death/Doom Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1987-1994, 1995-1996, 1996-1999 (as Soulburn), 2000, 2007-present

Asphyx may not be the first Dutch death metal band (Thanatos may lay claim to that title), but they are among the oldest, having been formed in 1987. Despite several lineup changes over the years, the band have done well for themselves over the years with several quality releases. They first disbanded in 1996, but then the core of Eric Daniels and Bob Bagchus returned, but under a new name: Soulburn. As Soulburn, they released Feeding On Angels, after which the band decided to return to recording as Asphyx, which they last did in 2000 with On The Wings Of Inferno, after which they announced their retirement. They came back together in January 2007.

Century Media Records

Eric Daniels Guitars

Bob Bagchus Drums

Theo Loomans (R.I.P. 1998) Vocals, Bass

1. Intro 01:21

2. Embrace the Death 04:01

3. The Sickened Dwell 03:58

4. Streams of Ancient Wisdom 03:25

5. Thoughts of an Atheist 04:59

6. Crush the Cenotaph 04:25

7. Denying the Goat 03:48

8. Vault of the Vailing Souls 05:03

9. Circle of the Secluded 05:35

10. To Succubus a Whore 01:57

11. Eternity's Depths 03:40

12. Outro 00:50

13. Mutilating Process 04:27

14. Streams of Ancient Wisdom 04:29

51:58

Tracks 13-14 are taken from the EP Mutilating Process.

Recording information:

Tracks 01-12 recorded in 1990.

Tracks 13-14 recorded in 1989 at Frankie's Recording Kitchen in Nieuwleusen, Netherlands.

Mortiis

 Today in 1995 Mortiis released the album Keiser av en dimensjon ukjent

Notodden (early), Oslo (later), Norway Ambient/Darkwave (early), Industrial Rock (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 1992-Present

Usually dressed in an elf, troll, or goblin costume (sometimes complete with bat wings and skull codpiece), Håvard Ellefsen, better known as Mortiis, was an indispensable force in the genesis of Norway's epic Viking metal sound, moving through multiple eras that incorporated different sub-genres and narratives. As the original bassist of Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor, Mortiis was credited with stimulating the group's interest in blending furiously chaotic black metal with haunting synthesizer melodies often based loosely on Norwegian folk, thus laying the groundwork for a sound that would dominate underground metal over the next decade. Originating in the early '90s as a largely electronics-driven solo project, Mortiis eventually morphed into a band. Mid- to late-career outings like 2001's Smell of Rain, 2004's The Grudge, and 2017's Great Deceiver introduced elements of industrial rock and electropop into the mix, while maintaining the cryptic darkwave-meets-black metal underpinnings of Ellefsen's earlier work.

Cold Meat Industry Records

Mortiis Keyboards

1. Reisene til grotter og ødemarker 24:47

2. Keiser av en dimensjon ukjent 27:48

52:35

1st Press. Gold disc with Silver design.

Limited to 2000 copies.

Mystifier

 Today in 1993 Mystifier released the album Göetia

Salvador, Bahía, Brazil Black/Death Metal

Status:Active

Years active:1989-present

From listening to Mystifier's corrosive, hyper-speed, symphonic-tinged black metal, you'd never guess that they hailed from the very tropical, richly historical seaside city of Salvador, Brazil. Yet, this is the truth and the whole truth (honest!) behind this long-running satanic metal group, which was first formed by guitarist Beelzebubth in 1989. Vocalist Naosouninguem, bassist Behemoth, and drummer Lucifuge rounded out the lineup that recorded the ten-song Tormenting the Holy Trinity demo, as well as the locally distributed "The Evil Ascension Returns" single before signing with France's Osmose Productions and releasing 1992's Wicca debut. Second album Goetia introduced new vocalist Asmodeeus, but further member defections and various financial difficulties sidetracked Mystifier for the next three years, so that they only returned to action with their career-defining (in most every way, actually) third LP, The World Is So Good That Who Made It Doesn't Live Here. New drummer Louis Bear joined the group at this time, and good fortune finally smiled upon them when Greek black metal gods Rotting Christ picked them as the support act on their South American tour. To commemorate their tenth anniversary in 1999, the band's now legendary first demo was given an international release by Eldritch Music under the title The Fourth Evil Calling from the Abyss -- Tormenting the Holy Trinity, and 2001 saw the arrival of Mystifier's fourth official album (fifth overall), Profanus, released worldwide by Crash/Pavement Music two years later.

Osmose Productions

Asmodeus Vocals

Beelzebuth Bass, Guitars (rhythm)

Lucifuge Rofocale Drums

Astaroth Guitars

Behemoth Guitars

Guest/Session

Meugninousouan Vocals (tracks 3, 6, 7)

Zé Luiz Keyboards

1. Aleister Crowley & Ordo Templi Orientis 08:03

2. An Elizabethan Devil Worshipper's Prayer Book 06:08

3. The Sign of the Unholy Cross 07:00

4. Caerimonia Sanguilentu (Göetia) 05:38

5. Beelzebuth 03:39

6. The Realm of Antichristus 05:12

7. The True Story About the Doctor Faust's Pact with Mephistopheles 06:18

8. Cursed Excruciation / The Sinuous Serpent of Genesis (Leviathan) 08:24

9. The Baphometic Goat of Knights Templar in the 12th Century 05:40

56:02

All Songs Written By Mystifier

Recording information:

Recorded & Mixed May-June 1993 at ProAudio Studio.

Cerebral Fix

 Today in 1992 Cerebral Fix released the album Death Erotica

Birmingham, England Crossover/Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1986-1993, 2006-present

One of the core early British thrash bands of the late eighties, Cerebral Fix's earlier roots lay more in the hardcore/crossover realm, as heard on their '88 debut Life Sucks ... And Then You Die!. By 1990 they were signed to Roadrunner Records and on that label they released their two best-known albums, Tower Of Spite and Bastards, with a style more firmly entrenched in the classic thrash of that time. After their fourth album (Death Erotica) they disbanded in 1993, but some thirteen years later a mostly original lineup announced their reformation.

Under One Flag Records

Tony Warburton Guitars

Gregg Fellows Guitars

Simon Forrest Vocals

Frank Healy Bass

Kevin Frost Drums

Guest/Session

Clint Mansell Vocals (backing) (track 11)

Shane Embury Vocals (track 12)

Andy Pike Vocals (track 14)

Mark "Barney" Greenway Vocals (backing) (track 11)

Tony Mills (R.I.P. 2019) Vocals (track 14)

1. Death Erotica 01:04

2. World Machine 05:09

3. Clarissa 05:44

4. Haunted Eyes 05:41

5. Mind Within Mine 04:28

6. Splintered Wings 05:44

7. Creator of Outcasts 05:50

8. Angel's Kiss 04:38

9. Still in Mind 01:43

10. The Raft of Medusa 06:16

11. Never Again (Discharge cover) 02:35

12. Too Drunk to Funk 02:53

13. Burning 01:10

14. Living After Midnight (Judas Priest cover) 03:54

56:49

Recorded at Rhythm Studios, Leamington Spa, England. Produced by Cerebral Fix.