Agatus

Consisting of brothers Chris and Dimitrios Dorian – alias “Eskarth the Dark One” and “Archon Vorskaath” respectively – AGATUS emerged in 1992 as a complementary output vis-à-vis their other band ZEMIAL, whose history goes back as far as 1989. As most of the readers are probably aware of, AGATUS and ZEMIAL exist in parallel to this day and have become central pillars of Hellenic Black Metal. According to interviews with the brothers, Eskarth is often described as the primary composer in AGATUS, while Vorskaath handles ZEMIAL in a similar matter.

In the early days, AGATUS operated as a trio with the brothers joined by Prince Korthnage (originally credited as “Unholy Rapist”) of the dungeon synth-act EREVOS on guitars and keyboards. It was with this line-up that the band’s first proposal “A Night of the Dark Ages” (1993) was created. Recorded at the legendary Molon Lave Studios, this four-track demo tape remains rooted in the Hellenic Black Metal sound, while simultaneously drawing on techniques more at home in the Scandinavian regions. What further set the band apart from similar acts is Eskarth’s distinct melodic syntax as well as the tendency towards grandiloquent gestures reminiscent of traditional Heavy Metal – two aspects which would remain as integral parts of AGATUS’ signature sound over the years.

In the spring of 1994, AGATUS entered Storm Studios (former Molon Lave Studios), once again as a trio, to record their debut full-length album with M.W. Daoloth of NECROMANTIA as producer. Not surprisingly, “Dawn of Martyrdom” (1996) retains the characteristics of the Hellenic style, but extends perimeters by drawing on the epic sensibilities of Heavy/Power metal. Unfortunately, except for the two-track promotional release entitled “Black Moon” (1994), “Dawn of Martyrdom” didn’t get a proper release until 1996. By then, Prince Korthnage was out of the band, while Eskarth and Vorskaath had left their homeland for an indefinite period of time.

Here begins the next chapter of the AGATUS saga. Having relocated from Athens to the city of Adelaide in Australia, Eskarth and Vorskaath continued to expand on their vision – not only in the form of AGATUS and ZEMIAL, but also through other projects such as the pure Heavy Metal act ALPHA CENTAURI and the Progressive Rock-based THE WATCHER. Next in line for AGATUS was the excellent “Rites of Metamorphosis” (1997) EP. No other name could be more suitable for this EP, as this was the moment AGATUS shed its skin to expose its true inner being. Whereas “Dawn of Martyrdom” hinted at the band’s roots in Heavy Metal, “Rites of Metamorphosis” can be described as a fully-fledged hybrid of Black- and Heavy metal. The exterior attributes of Black Metal are largely retained – blast-beats, harsh vocals, tremolo-based riffs, etc. – but if you expose the core of the music you would find a pounding heart of Heavy Metal.

Time be continued…

Compilation appearances:
* Diabolical Netherworlds III [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1994]
* Morbid Tunes of the Black Angels [Cass, Comp, Numbered: The Way of Force, 1994]
* Unholy Blood Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1994]
* Wintergrief [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Nahitfol Productions, 1996]
* Endless Endearments [CD, Comp: No Colours, 1997]
* Morbid Tunes of the Black Angels Part 4 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: The Way of Force, 1998]
* Hellas - The Black Death Anthology [2CD, Comp, Limited (1000): Kyrck Productions, 2006]
* Ceremonial Hymns [Cass, Comp: Wrath of God, ?]
* The Way of Mystery Vol. II [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, ?]