Desulphurize

Active between 1993-1994, DESULPHURIZE was the pre-ELYSIAN FIELDS (see separate entry) band of Michael “Mike” Katsikas (vocals – ELYSIAN FIELDS, HAVORUM) and Vasilis “Bill” Anthrakidis (vocals, guitars - ELYSIAN FIELDS). Except for a handful of compilation appearances (no exclusive tracks, as far as we know), the band’s sole release was their 1993 demo tape “Nihilistic Era” (1993), which was recorded at the legendary Storm Studios – probably as one of the earlier production jobs after the name had been shifted from Molon Lave Studios. Along with Michael and Vasilis, the demo also featured the otherwise unknown (in metal circles) George Hatzigeorgiou (bass – ELYSIAN FIELDS), while the drums were programmed in typical Storm-fashion.

In terms of style, DESULPHURIZE’s Death/Doom is well in line with the Hellenic scene at the time, probably influenced by the British Doom giants but graced with the special kind of atmosphere that the Greeks were so masterful at back in the day. Perhaps partly due to the emblematic sounds courtesy of Storm Studios, but also in terms of riff- and vocal patterns, etc. While not as lush and thoroughly composed as early ELYSIAN FIELDS, the mysterious landscapes present on “Nihlistic Era” is well worth exploring – particularly for those into the early Greek Death/Doom sound.

Compilation appearances:
* Black Spirit Compilation Vol. I [Cass, Comp, Limited, Numbered: Unholy Path Fanzine, 1993]
* Underground Tapes Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp: Underground Tapes, 1995?]
* From Beyond the Tape Vol. 2 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, 1996]
* The Call of Ragnarök – Onward to Asgard [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1996]
* Necrical Ecstasy [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, ?]