Varathron

Varathron formed in Athens in 1990, playing a style of black metal that became known as Hellenic black metal. Their early work drew from ancient Greek mythology and H.P. Lovecraft's writings, creating a sound that was both raw and atmospheric. Their debut album 'Walpurgisnacht' faced censorship in Greece due to its lyrical content, but the band continued working.

Stefan Necroabyssian on vocals and guitar and Mutilator on bass have been consistent members since the beginning. Their song 'His Majesty At The Swamp' became something of a standard for this particular corner of black metal, with its blend of aggression and dark atmosphere. Other tracks like 'Luciferian Mystical Awakening' and 'Remnants of Dark Testament' followed similar paths.

Later albums like 'The Genesis of the Unaltered' and 'Cimmerian Nightfall' continued developing their approach. The music maintained that balance between primitive force and atmospheric weight, never quite fitting neatly into either Scandinavian-style black metal or more melodic traditions. They kept recording and releasing material through various lineup changes and challenges.