Naer Mataron
Encyclopedia
Naer Mataron is a black metal
band from Greece
which draws on imagery from Greek mythology
. The band was formed in 1994 after splitting from Nar Mataron, and was soon signed to Black Lotus Records
, with whom they released four studio albums. Moving through numerous line-ups, the band has seen influences from other genres of music, including a traditional black metal
release and songs featuring elements of melodic black metal and industrial music
.
In 2007, the band signed with Seasons of Mist, with whom they released their most recent album. The current line-up includes founding member bassist Kaiadas, former DHG
vocalist, Vicotnic, and drummer Warhead, said to be the fastest drummer in Europe.
. Before the release of the band's first album the following year, Aither joined the band as the vocalist/drummer, and then Aither and Morpheas each left the band. Naer Mataron's first full length album, Up from the Ashes
, featured Efialtis on vocals, Kaiadas on bass and Lethe on drums. Aither subsequently rejoined the band as vocalist, appearing on the 2000 release Skotos Aenaon (which translates from Ancient Greek as "endless darkness"), and then took on drumming duties (moving Lethe to keyboards) when Morpheas returned to the band. Despite the line-up changes, Naer Mataron remained extremely active in terms of performances, and opened for several major black metal acts, including Mayhem
and Rotting Christ
.
In 2001, the band produced a 7" vinyl EP named A Holocaust in Front of God's Eyes in a one-off deal with Aphelion Productions. The release was limited to 500 copies, and the band intended it to be "old school black metal
", in contrast with their usual style. This was followed by 2003's River at Dash Scalding
, recorded at Praxis Studio, featuring faster and heavier drum work from new drummer Warhead, who replaced Lethe. Warhead has been credited as "the fastest drummer on the continent
", and has been described by the band as "an inspiration" with "inexhaustible talent". The album was given 2.5 out of 5 by Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic, who said that "Naer Mataron are bound to convert a few additional fans to their cause, but casual metal
fans are likely to emerge from this aural lambasting somewhat nonplussed." Following the release, Naer Mataron performed with bands including Rotting Christ and Gorgoroth
.
2004 saw several releases. Aghibasiin-Lessons on How To Defeat Death was a collection of demos and unreleased tracks compiled by Shadow Face Records, limited to 1000 copies, while Up from the Ashes and River at Dash Scalding both saw limited edition rereleases. 2004 also saw performances with Dissection
, and the headlining of the Winter Storm Festival in Bulgaria
. In early 2004, Nordvargr, who had previously written music for River at Dash Scalding, joined the band. The band then recorded Discipline Manifesto
, both in Athens, Greece and Oslo, Norway. Released by Black Lotus Records, the album was described as "amazing, absolutely amazing" by Vampire Magazine, with the atmosphere, vocals and music all being praised.
In May 2006, Morpheas left the band and moved to Norway, and was replaced by DHG's Vicotnik, who had previously worked with the band on Discipline Manifesto. In March 2007, it emerged that the band had signed with Season of Mist
, and Naer Mataron was quote by Blabbermouth.net
as saying-
Naer Mataron's first release with Season of Mist, Praetorians
, was released in 2008. The album was received positively, with Roel De Haan of Lords of Metal saying it "is tightly executed, has an icy production, the works", but that the album is lacking punch and truly memorable moments", giving the album a score of seventy out of one hundred. The current line-up is Kaidas on bass, Warhead on drums, Nordvargr as producer, Vicotnik as vocalist and Indra on guitars.
with strong lyrical influences from Greek mythology
, which has led to their style being referred to as "Hellenic Black Metal". The band's music uses instruments standard to black metal- with guitars, bass guitars, drums and keyboards all used. Unusually, some of the band's vocals are made up of "clean" singing
, as well as the more usual death grunts. Certain songs have also shown elements of melodic black metal, and industrial
elements reminiscent of singer Vicotnik's previous band, Dødheimsgard.
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....
band from Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
which draws on imagery from Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
. The band was formed in 1994 after splitting from Nar Mataron, and was soon signed to Black Lotus Records
Black Lotus Records
Black Lotus Records was an independent record label based in Greece that specialized in metal. After licensing an amount of new artists, Black Lotus Records surprised the scene by suddenly filing for bankruptcy and all announced titles are on hold indefinitely....
, with whom they released four studio albums. Moving through numerous line-ups, the band has seen influences from other genres of music, including a traditional 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....
release and songs featuring elements of melodic black metal and industrial music
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
.
In 2007, the band signed with Seasons of Mist, with whom they released their most recent album. The current line-up includes founding member bassist Kaiadas, former DHG
Dødheimsgard
Dødheimsgard is a Norwegian heavy metal band formed in 1994. Dødheimsgard was originally a black metal band, but 1999's 666 International saw them change into an experimental and avant-garde / industrial metal band. In 2000, they shortened their name to DHG...
vocalist, Vicotnic, and drummer Warhead, said to be the fastest drummer in Europe.
History
Naer Mataron was formed in 1994 from Nar Mataron. Nar Mataron had formed earlier that year, and after the release of two demos, Tales of the Twelve Gods and The Awakening of Ancient Greece, the band split in two. The vocalist, Lord Alatoth, carried on with Nar Mataron, while guitarist/bassist Morpheas, with fellow Naer Mataron member Kaiadas, formed Naer Mataron, leading to accusations from Lord Alatoth that Naer Mataron had stolen his songs and band name. Naer Mataron refers to this early period in its history by saying there were "line up changes and personal conflicts" before its first release. Morpheas took on vocal duties, and the band's first promo, "The Great God Pan", was released in 1997, leading to a deal with Black Lotus RecordsBlack Lotus Records
Black Lotus Records was an independent record label based in Greece that specialized in metal. After licensing an amount of new artists, Black Lotus Records surprised the scene by suddenly filing for bankruptcy and all announced titles are on hold indefinitely....
. Before the release of the band's first album the following year, Aither joined the band as the vocalist/drummer, and then Aither and Morpheas each left the band. Naer Mataron's first full length album, Up from the Ashes
Up from the Ashes (Naer Mataron album)
Up from the Ashes is the first full-length studio album by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released in 1998 on Black Lotus Records.-Track listing:#The Chosen Son - 2:36#Faethon - 6:19#Zephyrous - 5:35# - 4:08...
, featured Efialtis on vocals, Kaiadas on bass and Lethe on drums. Aither subsequently rejoined the band as vocalist, appearing on the 2000 release Skotos Aenaon (which translates from Ancient Greek as "endless darkness"), and then took on drumming duties (moving Lethe to keyboards) when Morpheas returned to the band. Despite the line-up changes, Naer Mataron remained extremely active in terms of performances, and opened for several major black metal acts, including 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...
and Rotting Christ
Rotting Christ
Rotting Christ is a Greek black metal band formed in 1987. They are noted for being one of the first black metal bands within this region, as well as a premier act within the European underground metal scene.- Line-up :...
.
In 2001, the band produced a 7" vinyl EP named A Holocaust in Front of God's Eyes in a one-off deal with Aphelion Productions. The release was limited to 500 copies, and the band intended it to be "old school 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....
", in contrast with their usual style. This was followed by 2003's River at Dash Scalding
River at Dash Scalding
River at Dash Scalding is the third full length studio album, fourth album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released on Black Lotus Records in 2003.-Track listing:#As The Clouds Of War Gather - 1:19...
, recorded at Praxis Studio, featuring faster and heavier drum work from new drummer Warhead, who replaced Lethe. Warhead has been credited as "the fastest drummer on the continent
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...
", and has been described by the band as "an inspiration" with "inexhaustible talent". The album was given 2.5 out of 5 by Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic, who said that "Naer Mataron are bound to convert a few additional fans to their cause, but casual metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
fans are likely to emerge from this aural lambasting somewhat nonplussed." Following the release, Naer Mataron performed with bands including Rotting Christ and Gorgoroth
Gorgoroth
Gorgoroth is a Norwegian black metal band based in Bergen. Formed in 1992 by Infernus , the band is named after the dead plateau of evil and darkness in the land of Mordor from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. The group is currently signed to Regain Records and have released...
.
2004 saw several releases. Aghibasiin-Lessons on How To Defeat Death was a collection of demos and unreleased tracks compiled by Shadow Face Records, limited to 1000 copies, while Up from the Ashes and River at Dash Scalding both saw limited edition rereleases. 2004 also saw performances with Dissection
Dissection (band)
Dissection was a black metal band from Strömstad, Sweden. The band was formed in 1989, by Jon Nödtveidt. The band released its first EP in 1991. They disbanded in 2006, after Nödtveidt's suicide.- Band overview :...
, and the headlining of the Winter Storm Festival in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. In early 2004, Nordvargr, who had previously written music for River at Dash Scalding, joined the band. The band then recorded Discipline Manifesto
Discipline Manifesto
Discipline Manifesto is the fourth full length studio album, and seventh album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released in 2005 on Black Lotus Records.-Track listing:#Extreme Unction - 9:43#Blessing Of Sin - 7:51...
, both in Athens, Greece and Oslo, Norway. Released by Black Lotus Records, the album was described as "amazing, absolutely amazing" by Vampire Magazine, with the atmosphere, vocals and music all being praised.
In May 2006, Morpheas left the band and moved to Norway, and was replaced by DHG's Vicotnik, who had previously worked with the band on Discipline Manifesto. In March 2007, it emerged that the band had signed with Season of Mist
Season of Mist
Season of Mist is a record label and record distributor with subsidiaries in France and the United States. The record label was founded in 1996 by Michael S. Berberian in Marseille, France. From the start releasing black metal, pagan metal and death metal records, the label moved on to releasing...
, and Naer Mataron was quote by Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
as saying-
The last period was really victorious for NAER MATARON. We composed the harshest and most extreme music we ever had for our new album. So the next big step was taken, as we are now proud to announce our signing to Season of Mist. We are more strong and enthusiastic than ever before and feel that we are also supported henceforth in the same spirit. To this point, we wish to extend our salute to the hordes that supported our black metal war machine throughout the last 13 years and especially thank Michael and Season of Mist for giving us the chance to deliver what will be the most extreme and uncompromising work of NAER MATARON to date.
Naer Mataron's first release with Season of Mist, Praetorians
Praetorians (album)
Praetorians is the fifth full length studio album, and eighth album overall, released by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released on the Season of Mist label in 2008, the first album by Naer Mataron on this label.-Track listing:...
, was released in 2008. The album was received positively, with Roel De Haan of Lords of Metal saying it "is tightly executed, has an icy production, the works", but that the album is lacking punch and truly memorable moments", giving the album a score of seventy out of one hundred. The current line-up is Kaidas on bass, Warhead on drums, Nordvargr as producer, Vicotnik as vocalist and Indra on guitars.
Musical style
Naer Mataron play extreme black metalBlack 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....
with strong lyrical influences from Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, which has led to their style being referred to as "Hellenic Black Metal". The band's music uses instruments standard to black metal- with guitars, bass guitars, drums and keyboards all used. Unusually, some of the band's vocals are made up of "clean" singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, as well as the more usual death grunts. Certain songs have also shown elements of melodic black metal, and industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
elements reminiscent of singer Vicotnik's previous band, Dødheimsgard.
Band members
- Vicotnik - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Warhead - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Kaiadas - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Indra - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Nordvargr - productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Discography
- 1997 – Tales of the Twelve Gods (demo, as Nar Mataron)
- 1997 – The Awakening of Ancient Greece (demo, as Nar Mataron)
- 1997 – "The Great God Pan" (promo)
- 1998 – Up from the AshesUp from the Ashes (Naer Mataron album)Up from the Ashes is the first full-length studio album by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released in 1998 on Black Lotus Records.-Track listing:#The Chosen Son - 2:36#Faethon - 6:19#Zephyrous - 5:35# - 4:08...
(studio album, Black Lotus Records) - 2000 – A Holocaust in Front of God's EyesA Holocaust in Front of God's EyesA Holocaust in Front of God's Eyes is the first EP, and second album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released on Aphelion Productions in 2001.-External links:**...
(EP, Aphelion Productions) - 2001 – Skotos AenonSkotos AenonSkotos Aenaon is the second full length studio album of the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released on Black Lotus Records in 2001.-Track listing:#.....
(studio album, Black Lotus Records) - 2003 – River at Dash ScaldingRiver at Dash ScaldingRiver at Dash Scalding is the third full length studio album, fourth album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released on Black Lotus Records in 2003.-Track listing:#As The Clouds Of War Gather - 1:19...
(studio album, Black Lotus Records) - 2004 – Aghibasiin-Lessons on How To Defeat DeathAghibasiin-Lessons on How To Defeat DeathAghibasiin-Lessons on How To Defeat Death is the first compilation album, and fifth album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was originally released on Shadowface Releases in 2004 and limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies, but was later re-released on Anti-Xtian Terror Records and...
(compilation album, Shadow Face Records) - 2004 – Awaken in OblivionAwaken in OblivionAwaken in Oblivion is the second compilation album, and sixth album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released in 2004 on Black Lotus Records...
(compilation album, Black Lotus Records) - 2005 – Discipline ManifestoDiscipline ManifestoDiscipline Manifesto is the fourth full length studio album, and seventh album overall, by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released in 2005 on Black Lotus Records.-Track listing:#Extreme Unction - 9:43#Blessing Of Sin - 7:51...
(studio album, Black Lotus Records) - 2008 – PraetoriansPraetorians (album)Praetorians is the fifth full length studio album, and eighth album overall, released by the black metal band Naer Mataron. It was released on the Season of Mist label in 2008, the first album by Naer Mataron on this label.-Track listing:...
(studio album, Seasons of Mist)
External links
- Official site
- Naer Mataron at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....