The Meads of Asphodel

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The Meads of Asphodel are an English black metal band with pronounced medieval, Arab, punk, and progressive metal influences from Hertfordshire, England.

The Meads of Asphodel
OriginHertfordshire, England
GenresBlack metal, experimental, progressive metal
Years active1998–present
LabelsCandlelight Records, Firestorm Records, Godreah Records
MembersMetatron
J.D. Tait
André Kjelbergvik Thung
WebsiteOfficial site

History

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The band was formed in mid-1998 by Metatron and Jaldaboath. 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 Bemoaning 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,[2] 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.

One of the band's most consistent features is their use of guest musicians. Over the years they have had a large roster of guests including members of Hawkwind, Sigh, Amebix, Mael Mordha, Taake, and an actual Rabbi.

Members

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Current members
  • Metatron – Vocals (1998–present)
  • J.D. Tait – Guitars, keyboards, vocals (2002–present)
  • André Kjelbergvik Thung – Drums (2012–present)
Former members
Session musicians and guests


Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs and splits

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Demos

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  • The Bemoaning of Metatron (demo, 1998)
  • Metatron and the Gleaming Red Serpent (demo, 1999)
  • The Watchers of Catal Huyuk (demo, 1999)

Live

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Compilations

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  • Britannia Infernus: A History of British Occult and Black (Godreah, 2002)
  • Daze of the Underground: A Tribute to Hawkwind (Godreah, 2003)
  • The Early Years (compilation of unreleased material from 1998–2002) (Godreah, 2009)
  • Swine of Hades (Godreah, 2011)
  • Voices from Valhalla: A Tribute to Bathory (Godreah, 2012)
  • The Meads of Asphodel boxed Set (Fallen-Angels Productions, 2013)
  • The Middle Ages (Sixsixsix Music, 2014)
  • Split Promo with The Wolves of Avalon (Sixsixsix Music, 2014)
  • We Worship Desaster: A Tribute to Desaster (Grom records, 2014)
  • Desolate Hymns for a Fallen God (Covers Album) (Azermedoth Records, 2015)
  • Tales From Bedlam (Valgriind, 2015)

Singles

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  • "All Things Bright & Shit" – Terrorizer Xmas Song (Terrorizer, 2006)
  • "The Song of a Hundred Roars" – Terrorizer Magazine Xmas Song (Terrorizer, 2009)

References

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  1. ^ "The Meads of Asphodel". Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2010..
  2. ^ "Biography – Spirit of Metal". Spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
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