Asfyx

ASFYX (not to be confused with the Chalcis-based Crossover outfit ASFIX, or the Dutch Death Metal veterans for that matter...) is THE Greek band for all of you who enjoy Black Metal of the primordial school. They belonged to the older, experimental generation of the Hellenic under-ground movement. Just take a look at the band photo – these guys look more like backwater satan-ic hippies than Metal warriors! The band originally started out as NIGHTMARE (once again, not to be confused with the Patras-based Black Metal band bearing the same name, etc.) in 1987 be-fore shifting to ASFYX one year later. It seems highly likely that the choice of band name was inspired by the cult horror movie “The Asphyx”, directed by Peter Newbrook – not least since ASFYX’s classic demo tape “The Spirit of the Dead” (1989) is also an alternative title to the same movie!

After the original ASFYX split up in the early-1990s, a second incarnation of the band – with only the bassist Panos Karopoulos remaining from the previous lineup – existed for some time, perform-ing live at the Molon Lave 10 day festival in October 1991. Judging by statements made by band members in the first issue of Internal Fear Zine, the music had taken a shift towards a more con-ventional Bay Area-Thrash sound. The remaining original members formed ANDROMEDA’S ACCENT, continuing in a similar vein to the old ASFYX. They made at least one live appearance at the legendary Molon Lave festival in 1990 before disbanding. Two songs from the concert in question can be heard on the “Just Thrash!” compilation tape released the year after.

Side note: Those who enjoy strange music would do well to check out the experimental side-project of guitarist Periklis Toukalas, called FISH EYE VIEW. He has also participated in the Greek Folk group Χαΐνηδες.

Compilation appearances:
* Decapitated Demo Compilation No 1 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Decapitated, 1988]
* Greece Attacks [2LP, Comp, Gatefold: FM, 1989] (as NIGHTMARE)
* Just Thrash! [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released (Metallic Slaughter Zine), 1991] (as ANDROMEDA’S ACCENT)