Deviser

Through a long and winding career, DEVISER has evolved into one of the big names in Greek Black/Death Metal, much by grace of their unique mode of expression – difficult to place into any pre-ordained category, yet instantly recognizable and, last but not least, highly listenable. While primarily known for their mid-to-late-1990s period with the formative albums “Unspeakable Cults” (1996) and “Transmission to Chaos” (1998), DEVISER traces its humble beginnings all the way back to 1989. The band was initially formed as a one-man endeavour in Chania (Crete) by a young (about 18 years) Manthos “Matt” Hnaras (vocals, guitars, bass). Finding it hard to discover likeminded people in his area, Matt set out to form a band on his own, allegedly inspired by both the international Black/Death Metal underground as well as by the early activities of domestic bands like ROTTING CHRIST.

Running a one-man underground Metal band in late-1980s/early-1990s Crete proved a challenge with less-than-ideal conditions: lack of rehearsal space, musicians or just general support. Still, obviously a man of faith (in METAL, that is…) Matt was able to complete his first work rather quickly in the form of the “Forbidden Knowledge” (1990) demo tape. Recorded at Mini Farm Studios in Athens with the help of session contributors Periklis “Peris” Toukalas (lead guitars, keyboards, backing vocals - ASFYX) and Thanos Mitropoulos (drums – HORRIFIED, SEPTICEMIA, VARATHRON), “Forbidden Knowledge” offered up a crude mixture of underground Black/Death Metal. With its rudimentary riffing, murky production and dissonant approach in general, this two-tracker was far from an accessible work but rather a product for the true underground believers.

Later the same year, Matt entered the studiosonce again, this time at Rock Sound Studio in Thessaloniki for the creation of a second demo tape, entitled “Psychic Completion” (1990). Except for the drums, which were handled by Cretan ex-patriot Dimitris Argyrakis (drums – DIMENSION Z, HORIZON’S END) on a session basis, Matt took care of vocals, guitars and bass this time. (ed. note: rumor has it that Chris Kokiousis of AGATUS/ZEMIAL was also involved in the band around this time, but we haven’t been able to confirm this.) The end result was quite similar to the debut, with some subtle expansions in the songwriting department and a slightly more cleaned-up production.

Following a four-year hiatus from official releases during which Matt moved to Athens on a permanent basis in search of a proper lineup for the band as well as doing some legendary live shows (ROTTING CHRIST/ANCIENT RITES), DEVISER unleashed “The Revelation of Higher Mysteries” (1994) EP, released on 7” by the Dutch label Teutonic Existence. Finally, DEVISER had its first relatively stable lineup intact, which included in addition to Matt Hnaras (vocals, guitars), Bill Katsikis of DEPRESSION on lead guitars, PIRANHA’s Mike Tsembertzis on drums and last but not least, bassist and future long-time mainstay Nick Christogiannis.

Allegedly looking for a way to differentiate from the established underground sounds at the time, the choice was made to record at the “non-metallic” studio of the Athens-based Ζενετζή Records. Whether or not this had any effect on the end result, it was clear by this time that DEVISER was onto something and was finding their way to what would become their trademark sound. As such, “The Revelation of Higher Mysteries” can be seen as the first step towards the musical language of their classic period: melodic and technically accomplished yet ripping Black Metal with roots in the older school of Thrash- and Heavy Metal, and with Matt’s characteristic rasp comfortably in place.

To be continued…

Compilation appearances:
* Released Psychos: Vol. 4 [Cass, Comp: PS, 1990]
* Apocalyptic Things #2 [Cass, Comp: Apocalyptic Things, 1991]
* Metal Coma [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1992]
* Metal Magic Vol 1 [Cass, Comp: Metal Magic Zine, 1992] #
* Metalmaniac Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp, Limited, Numbered: Metalmaniac, 1991]
* Nuclear Disaster Compilation Tape Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Nuclear Disaster, 1991]
* Beyond the Grave [LP, Comp: Dark Side, 1994]
* Sundead [Cass, Comp: Sundead, 1994]
* Extreme Rock 'N' Roll Series - A New Age Of Excitement Vol. 1 [CD, Comp: Mascot, 1996]
* Pounding Power Volume 2 [CD, Comp: Metalized, 1996]
* Bathory Tribute – Hellas Salutes the Vikings [CD, Comp: Metal Invader, 1997]
* Ιω Βάκχε, Ευοί - Ραψωδία Α' [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Ancient Tragedy Zine, 1997]
* Withered Autumnal Leaves [Cass, Comp: Dream Union Tapes, 1997]
* Ablaze September / Oktober 1998 [CD, Comp: Ablaze Magazine, 1998]
* Shock from the Underground [CD, Comp: Sirrah Productions, 2003]
* Hellas - The Black Death Anthology [2CD, Comp, Limited (1000): Kyrck Productions, 2006]
* Braindamage Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, ?]
* Decapitated Vol. 3 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Decapitated, ?]
* Psychophobia Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp: Self-released, ?]