During the »underground years« 1990-1992, the band build up
a great reputation with the demo tapes »Slow Asphyxiation«
(1990), »Unholy Prophecies« (1991) and the limited vinyl-ep
»The Call« (1992). The great sales of these releases proved
that Necrophobic was not »just another band«.
Necrophobic thought the time was right to move on and started to contact
a few labels to get a record contract. Black Mark Production responded
after just two days and it turned out to be the label the band signed
with. In March 1993, members David Parland (guitar), Tobias Sidegård
(bass), Anders Strokirk (vocals) and Joakim Sterner (drums) entered the
studio and recorded the debut album (the nowaday legendary) »The
Nocturnal Silence« which saw the light of day a few weeks later.
Nine songs of pure blasphemous death metal to set the most demanding listeners
hearts in flames. Even though the death metal scene had become crammed
with bands, »The Nocturnal Silence« got top scores in most
magazines over the world and found itself directly into the German magazine
Rock Hard’s chart in the 9th position. A few months later, vocalist
Anders Strokirk decided to leave the band. Tobias Sidegård took
over the vocal part and the band also added a guitarist in Martin Halfdan.
Being a very self-critical band, Necrophobic had some troubles getting
the new material together for the next album. It wasn’t that they
didn’t come up with material. No, it was more that it didn’t
satisfy the members to 100%. As the band felt that they’ve been
»away« from the scene a little too long, they decided to release
a mini-album, entitled »Spawned by Evil«. With this foretaste
of what to expect by the forthcoming 2nd full length album »Darkside«,
took the world by storm. Still, around the time for the release of »Spawned
by Evil« (spring 1996), guitarist David Parland decided to leave
the band.
Necrophobic continued as a 3-piece for a while, but later found a replacement
for the vacant spot in guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt (previously from the
band Morpheus).
In February 1997, the wait was over. »Darkside« was released.
People’s expectations were high. Could the band top the previous
releases? The answer was yes. Again, the world press and the fans agreed.
»Darkside« is a »milestone« - were the most common
reactions to the album and again, the band got top scores from most magazines
and the underground press from all over the world. On this album, Necrophobic
had moved further in the dark and evil domains. As most of the death metal
bands seemed to slow down their death metal sound and music and become
more »easy listened«, Necrophobic did the opposite...they
speeded up, became rawer sounding and so forth.
In the winter 1999, it was time for the 3rd full length album. Necrophobic
was ready for war again with and »The Third Antichrist«was
released. The music was still very much as before, yet developed! However,
the dark and haunting evil feeling, that is the band’s trademark,
was not lost here. On the contrary! The great and positive response from
the world was still there and the band also started to play more abroad.
During the festival shows in Germany in August 2000, guitarist Martin
Halfdan told the band that he would leave to continue play a different
kind of extreme metal. Also, around that time, Necrophobic got contacted
by Guido Heijnens from Hammerheart Records, who investigated the possibility
for the band to do a label change. Necrophobic had also talked about doing
something about their situation. Releasing killer album after killer album
and keeping the great and high standard the band has, without getting
much in return from Black Mark Production, was really annoying for Necrophobic.
The members felt that »why stay with that label and waste our talent
on them?«. After months of negotiating back and forth, the band
left Black Mark Production and signed with Hammerheart Records in April
2001. During this period, the band had just found the replacement for
Martin Halfdan in Johan Bergebäck (previously from the band Morpheus).
Necrophobic felt reborn and started to complete the material for the 4th
full lenght album. Feeling fresh air into the band, having a new record
label that the band feel have great potentials and do the band justice,
the writing of the new material went very easy. In short, the new album
»Bloodhymns« is quite equal to »The Third Antichrist«,
but with a far more aggressive and heavier production. Ten songs that
will make you bleed ´til death! The northen warriors have returned
to conquer!!!
After touring
on the »Bloodhymns«-album, the record label transformed into
Karmageddon Media, but the band felt that they had to move…again.
Things didn’t feel right and there was alot of rumours that increased
the bad feeling towards the label. There was also badly run business.
If the label is not steady and can not back up a band, it indirect influences
the band creativity and it was hard to work.
In the end
of 2004, Swedish record label Regain Records approached the band and explained
why an agreement between both parts should work out. During 2005, new
material was written and business was solved with old parts and new parts,
as Necrophobic signed a new deal with Regain Records.
In November
2005, Necrophobic entered the studio to record their most epic album of
all time. A new chapter is open. The music on the new album »Hrimthursum«
is the most varied to date, both musically and lyrically, and even if
the album lasts for almost 60 minutes, you feel like you just started
listening to it. It’s a journey you will never want to leave!
Necrophobic
has always stayed true to their style and will do as long as the band
will exist. Their music will surely bring chills down your spine. Put
their albums on and find yourselves getting possessed with them!!!
|
|