Meads of Asphodel
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The Meads of Asphodel are an experimental black metal band with pronounced medieval and Eastern influences from Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
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[edit] Bio
The band was formed in mid-1998 by Metatron and Jaldaboath (aka James Fogarty of Ewigkeit), the stated aim being to "create heavy guitar-based original Black Metal with Medieval/Eastern influences and a lyrical concept derived from Christ's mortality, Biblical Apocrypha, Fallen Angels and Death."[1]. Their demo releases The Bemoaming of Metatron and Metatron and the Red Gleaming Serpent gained them a good deal of critical attention in the underground metal press, even receiving mentions from such mainstream sources as Kerrang! magazine, and they soon signed to Supernal Music after the release of their widely acclaimed final demo The Watchers of Catal Huyuk. Their albums, particularly 2001's The Excommunication of Christ explore conceptual themes based around an anti-Christian interpretation of the Bible and Apocrypha. Despite a fluctuating line-up, the band continues to release well-received music, the latest release being 2006's In the Name of God, Welcome to Planet Genocide EP. The band's most consistent feature is their use of, often unusual, guest musicians, including members of Hawkwind and a Rabbi.
As of 2005's Damascus Steel the band lyrically focused on humanity and the mindless destruction and killing in the name of God etc. Their motto, stated on their site in the "Biography" section, is "The Meads of Asphodel believe in all peoples' right to live in peace, free from the shackles of inflicted dogma and servitude".
The band take their stage names from angels, djinn and other such figures, and are never photographed except in their dark ages battle garb. They freely admit to the use of undisclosed naturally-occurring mind-altering substances. Their name, an archaic way of saying "Meadows of Asphodel", refers to the belief that the plains of Hades are filled with the Asphodel flower.
[edit] Current line-up
- Metatron: Vocals (1998-)
- James Tait: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals (2003-)
- Urakbaramel: Drums (2003-)
- Max Rael: Keyboards, Programming (2001-) also in History Of Guns
- Alan Davey: Bass (2003-) also in Hawkwind
- Lee Cornell : Guitar (2003-)
[edit] Former/past member(s)
- Jaldaboath (Real Name: James Fogarty) (1998-2002) Guitars, Programming, Vocals, Bass, keyboards (Also in: Ewigkeit)
- The Mad Mullah: session Drums (Real Name: Milton Peterson) (2002)
- Maximus (Max Rael): Keyboards (2003)
- Paul Carter: Keyboards (2003)
- Deorth: Bass (2003)
[edit] Discography
- Metatron and The Gleaming Red Serpent Demo, 1998
- The Bemoaning Of Metatron Demo, 1998
- The Watchers Of Catal Huyuk Demo, 1999
- The Excommunication Of Christ Full-length, 2001
- Freezing Moon/Jihad Split with Mayhem , 2002
- The Bulldozer Armageddon Vol.V Split, 2003
- Exhuming the Grave of Yeshua Full-length, 2003
- The Mill Hill Sessions Full-length, 2004
- Damascus Steel Full-length, 2005
- In the Name of God, Welcome to Planet Genocide, EP, 2006
