| Deströyer 666 | |
|---|---|
Live at Hole In The Sky, Bergen Metal Fest 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Black metal Death metal Thrash metal |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Modern Invasion Music Merciless Records The Ajna Offensive Season of Mist Iron Pegasus Records |
| Associated acts | Bestial Warlust Hobbs' Angel of Death Sinister Gospel of the Horns Razor of Occam |
| Members | |
| K.K. Warslut Shrapnel Matt Mersus |
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Deströyer 666 is a black/death/thrash metal band formed in 1994 by guitarist K.K. Warslut. The group originated in Melbourne, Australia however moved to Europe.
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Warslut formed the band following his departure from the black metal band Bestial Warlust. The project was a solo venture at first but eventually evolved into a proper band. The group's debut EP, Violence is the Prince of this World featured Warslut on guitar, bass and vocals, with Matt Skitz from Damaged and Criss Volcano from Abominator on drums. The song "The Eternal Glory of War" was later re-recorded for the album Phoenix Rising.
Following this release, Deströyer 666 got a full line-up that included bassist Bullet Eater (aka Phil Gresik, ex-Bestial Warlust, Hobbs' Angel of Death and Mass Confusion), Gospel of the Horns drummer Howitzer and guitarist Shrapnel. With these members the band recorded its first album, Unchain the Wolves. Following this Howitzer was replaced by Deceiver and during 1999 Deströyer 666 recorded Phoenix Rising, though it was not released until more than a year later.
During 2000, Deströyer 666 toured Europe extensively. Dutch drummer Erich de Windt of Sinister and Prostitute Disfigurement joined the band after the recording of the EP King of Kings. Gresik left to be replaced by Simon Berserker. Phoenix Rising was released by Season of Mist in November. De Windt was replaced by German drummer Mersus in 2001 and Deströyer 666 toured through Europe again with Immolation and Deranged, after which the band left Australia for good. Warslut settled in Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Shrapnel began living in London.
The 2002 album Cold Steel... for an Iron Age featured cover art, which the band has since disavowed, claiming they never approved it.[1] A reissue of the album was scheduled for late 2005 but as of May 2009, this has still not come to light. It is supposed to feature all new artwork as well as bonus songs. The group is also working on a new LP containing all of the songs previously released only on 7" vinyl EPs.
The latest album, titled Defiance, was released in June 2009. This album is remarkable in Deströyer 666 lore as it is the first album where none of the music has been written by Warslut, whereas he has concentrated on the lyrics as usual and the music has all been composed by Shrapnel and Matt Razor. The album has been very well received by both fans and critics to keep Deströyer 666 well in the bracket of the cult act they have become.
Deströyer 666's lyrical themes have always dealt with blasphemy, nihilism, Nietzsche and warlike subjects.
In 2003, the group undertook an Australian tour that year that culminated in a headlining appearance at the Metal for the Brain festival. Their first North American tour occurred during September and October 2006.[2]
Starting from the first of January 2010, Deströyer 666 returned to their homeland in Australia, first playing Screamfest and then extensively touring the country, including Tasmania. They had not played the continent since 2004.
2010 saw further touring and noteworthy live appearances. They were a highlight at Norway's Inferno Festival in March and followed on a very busy and successful year with a US tour alongside Enthroned and a lengthy European jaunt with Watain.
On September 9th, 2010 Destroyer 666 confirmed that the band will return to their lairs to refuel, regain and compose the next album SIEGE.
In 2011 they were scheduled to tour with german thrash legends Destruction in the United States, however due to unforeseen circumstances, they had to drop off the tour.