Attila Csihar
Encyclopedia
Attila Csihar also sometimes known as Void, is a Hungarian
black metal
vocalist, best known for his vocal work on the album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
by Mayhem
. Author Ian Christe
describes his vocals as "operatic."
, which reached a cult status in black metal
circles. In 1992, Attila was invited to perform vocals on De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
after Mayhem's then-vocalist Dead committed suicide. When Csihar first joined Mayhem, he was "grossed out" at the pig heads and dead animals on stage. Csihar, who stated in an interview with Revolver Magazine that he, being a vegetarian at the time, conceded, "I was freaked out myself... Like, fuck, I don't know if I want to do this."
After Mayhem, Csihar continued to work in various experimental projects, such as Plasma Pool
, Aborym
, and Korog. In 2004, he recorded vocals for the song 'Decay2 (Nihil's Maw)' by American
doom/drone metal band Sunn O)))
. He is considered a shadow member of the band and even performed live with the band on their Europe
an tour. He briefly performed in Keep of Kalessin
as well.
More recently, Attila left Aborym in order to rejoin Mayhem
after the departure of Maniac
, the band's previous vocalist. Attila's final contribution to Aborym was lead vocals on the song Man Bites God on the 2006 album, Generator
. Attila has also joined Greg Anderson of Sunn O)))
and Oren Ambarchi
in a project called Burial Chamber Trio
. This band has recorded one studio album and one live album, both of which were released on vinyl by Southern Lord Records
; they have also performed live, including at Berlin's club transmediale
in Europe in January and February 2007. For these concerts, Attila dressed in a jute
sack while sporting a wig reminiscent of Norman Bates's mother in the 1960 film, Psycho
.
Since 2007, Csihar had been hiring Egyptian artist Nader Sadek to create masks for his live performances, both in Sunn O))) and Mayhem. Csihar has worn Sadek's masks on tours. Additionally, Csihar invited Sadek to create an installation as a set for Mayhem's 2009 summer tour BlackenedFest.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
vocalist, best known for his vocal work on the album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is an album by Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Songwriting began as early as 1987, but due to the suicide of vocalist Dead and murder of guitarist Euronymous , the album's release was delayed until May 1994...
by Mayhem
Mayhem (band)
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
. Author Ian Christe
Ian Christe
Ian Christe is an author, disc jockey and publisher. He attended The Clarkson School's Bridging Year and Indiana University....
describes his vocals as "operatic."
Biography
His career started in the Hungarian metal band TormentorTormentor
Tormentor is a black metal band formed in 1986 in Budapest, Hungary. Tormentor was one of the first black metal bands using synthesisers to create a more atmospheric sound. They recorded their first album, Anno Domini, in 1988, but were unable to release it until the end of communism. The album...
, which reached a cult status in black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
circles. In 1992, Attila was invited to perform vocals on De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is an album by Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Songwriting began as early as 1987, but due to the suicide of vocalist Dead and murder of guitarist Euronymous , the album's release was delayed until May 1994...
after Mayhem's then-vocalist Dead committed suicide. When Csihar first joined Mayhem, he was "grossed out" at the pig heads and dead animals on stage. Csihar, who stated in an interview with Revolver Magazine that he, being a vegetarian at the time, conceded, "I was freaked out myself... Like, fuck, I don't know if I want to do this."
After Mayhem, Csihar continued to work in various experimental projects, such as Plasma Pool
Plasma Pool
Plasma Pool is an EBM band from Budapest, Hungary that was formed in 1989.-Current and Former members:*Gabo - Vocals*Attila Csihar - Vocals *Istvan Zilahy - Keyboard...
, Aborym
Aborym
Aborym is an Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band, initially hailing from Taranto, Apulia, in Italy. The band has described their music as "alien-black-hard/industrial", whilst Allmusic described them as playing "a truly original brand of futuristic black metal [with] jagged samples,...
, and Korog. In 2004, he recorded vocals for the song 'Decay2 (Nihil's Maw)' by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
doom/drone metal band Sunn O)))
Sunn O)))
Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
. He is considered a shadow member of the band and even performed live with the band on their Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an tour. He briefly performed in Keep of Kalessin
Keep of Kalessin
Keep of Kalessin is an extreme metal band from Trondheim, Norway formed in 1993. The group's early lineup consisted of Ghash on vocals, Obsidian C. on guitars and keyboards, Warach on bass, and Vyl on drums. They released two albums under this lineup: Through Times of War in 1997, and Agnen: A...
as well.
More recently, Attila left Aborym in order to rejoin Mayhem
Mayhem (band)
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
after the departure of Maniac
Sven Erik Kristiansen
Sven Erik Kristiansen is a Norwegian musician. He is best known as the former vocalist in the black metal band Mayhem under the stage name Maniac.-Personal life:...
, the band's previous vocalist. Attila's final contribution to Aborym was lead vocals on the song Man Bites God on the 2006 album, Generator
Generator (Aborym album)
Generator is the fourth studio album by the Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band Aborym. Former vocalist Attila Csihar makes a guest appearance on this album, performing vocals on "Man Bites God". Vocals on the rest of the album are performed by Prime Evil.This is Aborym's first album to...
. Attila has also joined Greg Anderson of Sunn O)))
Sunn O)))
Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
and Oren Ambarchi
Oren Ambarchi
Oren Ambarchi is a multi-instrumentalist who in major plays electric guitar and drums, with longstanding interests in transcending conventional instrumental approaches. He was born in Sydney, Australia in 1969 to a Jewish family originally from Iraq....
in a project called Burial Chamber Trio
Burial Chamber Trio
Burial Chamber Trio is a drone doom band consisting of American guitarist/bassist Greg Anderson, Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar and Australian multi-instrumentalist Oren Ambarchi...
. This band has recorded one studio album and one live album, both of which were released on vinyl by Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord is an American record label that was founded in 1998 by Greg Anderson, specializing in what could broadly be classified as experimental heavy metal, particularly the doom metal, stoner rock, and drone metal sub-genres. Some of the more notable artists on the label include Earth, Om,...
; they have also performed live, including at Berlin's club transmediale
Club transmediale
The annual CTM Festival festival is a music and visual arts event held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1999, the festival originally focused on electronic music, but has since evolved to cover a wide range of genres under the banner "festival for adventurous music and related visual...
in Europe in January and February 2007. For these concerts, Attila dressed in a jute
Jute
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from plants in the genus Corchorus, which has been classified in the family Tiliaceae, or more recently in Malvaceae....
sack while sporting a wig reminiscent of Norman Bates's mother in the 1960 film, Psycho
Psycho (1960 film)
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch...
.
Since 2007, Csihar had been hiring Egyptian artist Nader Sadek to create masks for his live performances, both in Sunn O))) and Mayhem. Csihar has worn Sadek's masks on tours. Additionally, Csihar invited Sadek to create an installation as a set for Mayhem's 2009 summer tour BlackenedFest.
Discography
- TormentorTormentorTormentor is a black metal band formed in 1986 in Budapest, Hungary. Tormentor was one of the first black metal bands using synthesisers to create a more atmospheric sound. They recorded their first album, Anno Domini, in 1988, but were unable to release it until the end of communism. The album...
: The Seventh Day Of Doom (1987) - Tormentor: Anno Domini (1988)
- MayhemMayhem (band)Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
: De Mysteriis Dom SathanasDe Mysteriis Dom SathanasDe Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is an album by Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Songwriting began as early as 1987, but due to the suicide of vocalist Dead and murder of guitarist Euronymous , the album's release was delayed until May 1994...
(1994) - Plasma PoolPlasma PoolPlasma Pool is an EBM band from Budapest, Hungary that was formed in 1989.-Current and Former members:*Gabo - Vocals*Attila Csihar - Vocals *Istvan Zilahy - Keyboard...
: I (1991–1994) - Plasma Pool: Drowning II (1991–1993)
- AborymAborymAborym is an Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band, initially hailing from Taranto, Apulia, in Italy. The band has described their music as "alien-black-hard/industrial", whilst Allmusic described them as playing "a truly original brand of futuristic black metal [with] jagged samples,...
: Kali Yuga BizarreKali Yuga BizarreKali Yuga Bizarre is the first full length studio album by the black metal band Aborym. It was released in 1999 on Scarlet records. A picture LP was also re-released in 2000 and was limited to 1000 copies....
(1998, guest performance) - Mayhem: Mediolanum Capta EstMediolanum Capta EstMediolanum Capta Est is a live album by the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. The title of the album means, in Latin, Milano is taken...
(1998, live album) - Tormentor: Recipe Ferrum! (1999)
- AborymAborymAborym is an Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band, initially hailing from Taranto, Apulia, in Italy. The band has described their music as "alien-black-hard/industrial", whilst Allmusic described them as playing "a truly original brand of futuristic black metal [with] jagged samples,...
: Fire Walk with Us!Fire Walk with Us!Fire Walk With Us! is the second album by industrial/black metal band Aborym. This is Aborym's first album to feature Mayhem vocalist Attila Csihar as a full-time member...
(2000) - Limbonic Art: Ultimate Death Worship - Guest vocals on "From the Shades of Hatred" (2001)
- Korog: Korog (2001)
- AborymAborymAborym is an Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band, initially hailing from Taranto, Apulia, in Italy. The band has described their music as "alien-black-hard/industrial", whilst Allmusic described them as playing "a truly original brand of futuristic black metal [with] jagged samples,...
: With No Human InterventionWith No Human InterventionWith No Human Intervention is the third album by industrial / black metal band Aborym. The album's title was coined by former Emperor drummer Bard Eithun, as well as the lyrics for the title track and "Faustian Spirit of the Earth"...
(2003) - The Beast of Attila Csihar (2003, compilation album)
- Anaal NathrakhAnaal NathrakhAnaal Nathrakh are a British extreme metal band formed in 1999 who fuse black metal, grindcore, death metal and industrial music. They are currently signed to Candlelight Records....
: When Fire Rains Down from the Sky, Mankind Will Reap As It Has SownWhen Fire Rains Down from the Sky, Mankind Will Reap As It Has SownWhen Fire Rains Down From the Sky, Mankind Will Reap As It Has Sown is an EP by British black metal group Anaal Nathrakh. The EP was written right after The Codex Necro and features guest appearances by Aborym's Sethlans Teitan on guitar and Attila Csihar of Mayhem on vocals. It was re-released in...
- Guest vocals on "Atavism" (2003) - Keep Of KalessinKeep of KalessinKeep of Kalessin is an extreme metal band from Trondheim, Norway formed in 1993. The group's early lineup consisted of Ghash on vocals, Obsidian C. on guitars and keyboards, Warach on bass, and Vyl on drums. They released two albums under this lineup: Through Times of War in 1997, and Agnen: A...
: Reclaim (2003) - EmperorEmperor (band)Emperor was a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991. They dissolved in 2001, but reunited in 2006 and again in 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours. The group was founded by Samoth and Ihsahn .-Biography:...
: Scattered Ashes - Guest vocals on "Funeral Fog", Mayhem cover (2003) - Sear BlissSear BlissSear Bliss is a black metal band from Szombathely, Hungary, formed in 1993 by bassist, vocalist and now also keyboardist András Nagy. Apart from the usual heavy metal instruments they adopted synthesizer and wind instruments in their songs...
: Glory and Perdition - Additional vocals in Birth of Eternity and Shores of Death (2003) - Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
: White2White2White2 is the fifth album by Sunn O))). It was recorded during the same sessions as White1, but it was not released until a year later.This album features Attila Csihar of Mayhem fame quoting the Srimad Bhagavatam on "Decay2 [Nihils' Maw]". The vinyl also features him on "Decay [The Symptoms of...
(2004) - AborymAborymAborym is an Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band, initially hailing from Taranto, Apulia, in Italy. The band has described their music as "alien-black-hard/industrial", whilst Allmusic described them as playing "a truly original brand of futuristic black metal [with] jagged samples,...
: GeneratorGenerator (Aborym album)Generator is the fourth studio album by the Italian/Norwegian industrial black metal band Aborym. Former vocalist Attila Csihar makes a guest appearance on this album, performing vocals on "Man Bites God". Vocals on the rest of the album are performed by Prime Evil.This is Aborym's first album to...
- Guest vocals on "Man Bites God" (2006) - Anaal NathrakhAnaal NathrakhAnaal Nathrakh are a British extreme metal band formed in 1999 who fuse black metal, grindcore, death metal and industrial music. They are currently signed to Candlelight Records....
: EschatonEschaton (album)Eschaton is the third album by British black metal band Anaal Nathrakh. Musically, the album continues in the vein of the previous album, Domine Non Es Dignus. Some reviewers have commented that the overall atmosphere and production are at the same time a step back towards the out-and-out ferocity...
- Guest vocals on "Regression to the Mean"(2006) - MayhemMayhem (band)Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, Norway and regarded as one of the pioneers of the influential Norwegian black metal scene...
: Ordo Ad ChaoOrdo Ad ChaoOrdo Ad Chao is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. "Ordo ad chao" is incorrect Latin . It is meant to be translated as "order to chaos" - a reversal of the Latin expression "ordo ab chao" often cited as the motto used in Freemasonry...
("Order to Chaos") - Vocals (2007) - AstarteAstarte (band)Astarte is an all-female black metal band from Athens, Greece, named after the goddess Astarte.-History:Astarte first formed under the name Lloth in September 1995 at Elefsina, Attica. The original line-up included Maria Kolokouri , a.k.a. Tristessa , Nemesis , and Kinthia...
: Demonized - Guest vocals on "Lycon" (2007) - Burial Chamber TrioBurial Chamber TrioBurial Chamber Trio is a drone doom band consisting of American guitarist/bassist Greg Anderson, Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar and Australian multi-instrumentalist Oren Ambarchi...
: Burial Chamber TrioBurial Chamber Trio (album)Burial Chamber Trio is the debut album by Burial Chamber Trio, which is composed of Greg Anderson, Attila Csihar and Oren Ambarchi. The album was released in 2007 on 180 grm vinyl and limited to 2,000 copies by Southern Lord Records.- External links :**...
- Vocals (2007) - Grave Temple: The Holy DownThe Holy DownThe Holy Down documents a series of shows played by Grave Temple in Israel during the summer of 2006. Illustrations by Justin Bartlett: -Line up:*Attila Csihar - vocals*Stephen O'Malley - guitar*Oren Ambarchi - guitar, drums, bells...
- Vocals (2007) - Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
: OracleOracle (Sunn O))) album)Oracle is an EP by Sunn O))) containing material written for a collaboration with the American sculptor Banks Violette.The jackhammer in "Belülről Pusztít" was provided by Joe Preston. Belülről Pusztít is a Hungarian phrase meaning "destroys from the inside"...
(2007) - YcosaHateRon: La Nuit (2007) - Guest vocals
- Stephen O'MalleyStephen O'MalleyStephen O'Malley is a musician, predominantly a guitarist, producer and composer from Seattle, Washington who has conceptualized and participated in numerous drone doom, death/doom, and experimental music groups....
& Attila Csihar - 6°Fskyquake (2008) - Grave Temple: Ambient/Ruin - Vocals (2008)
- Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
: DømkirkeDømkirkeDømkirke is a live album by Sunn O))), recorded at Bergen Cathedral in Bergen, Norway, during the Borealis festival. The album was pressed only on vinyl, never to be released on other formats, though it has now been made available for digital download direct from Southern Lord's webstore.It is a...
- Vocals (2008) - JarboeJarboeJarboe is an American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist.Jarboe is a solo artist who came to prominence in the mid-1980s with the New York City based group Swans. With founder Michael Gira, the duo was the core of Swans until the group broke up in 1998...
: MahakaliMahakaliMahakali , literally translated as Great Kali, is a Hindu Goddess, considered to be the consort of Shiva the God of consciousness, and as the basis of Reality and existence...
- Guest Vocals on "The Soul Continues" (2008) - Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
: Monoliths & DimensionsMonoliths & DimensionsMonoliths & Dimensions is the seventh studio album by the avant-garde drone doom band Sunn O))). The album was created and recorded over a period of two years and features the collaborations of composer Eyvind Kang, Australian guitar player Oren Ambarchi, Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar, Dylan...
(2009) - Death of DesireDeath of DesireDeath of Desire is a metal band formed in Bruchsal, Germany in 2008, featuring Mayhem drummer Hellhammer and vocalist Dawn Desirée. Their debut album ANTIhuman has been recorded in Knut Magne Valle's Mølla Studio and it has been speculated that the album will be released in 2011, it was initially...
: ANTIhuman (2010) - guest vocals on one track - UlverUlverUlver is a musical group from Norway. Since their first, folklore-influenced black metal release entitled Bergtatt – Et eeventyr i 5 capitler , Ulver’s musical style has been fluid and increasingly eclectic, blending genres such as rock, electronica, symphonic and chamber traditions, noise and...
: Wars of the RosesWars of the Roses (album)-Reception:The album received high praise from Sea of Tranquility webzine. Commented reviewer Murat Batmaz: "it amalgamates musical traits from its predecessors while re-shaping them with a more direct approach."-Credits:...
(2011) - Guest vocals on "Providence"