Abigor

BIOGRAPHY

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Abigor (1993-2003, 2006-present): a Black Metal band from Vienna, Austria.

ustrian band Abigor was formed in 1993 by Peter Kubik (a.k.a. P.K.) and Thomas Tannenberger (a.k.a. T.T). After the release of several demos, original vocalist Tharen (Real Name: Alexander Opitz) left and was replaced by Silenius (Real Name: Michael Gregor), who recorded vocals for all releases until Structures of Immortality EP during which he opted to leave the band.

For a short period during the winter between 1993 & 1994, Abigor was part of the Austrian Black Metal Syndicate, a movement founded by Pazuzu, along with Cromm, Golden Dawn, Knechte des Schreckens, Pervertum, Summoning, Trifixion, and Vuzem. Abigor reportedly left the syndicate soon followed by Summoning. You might recognize the name Austrian Black Metal Syndicate from a compilation recording but this recording had nothing to do with the 'club' itself.

But there is also a business side to this story: T.T. was also actively involved in 'Napalm Records', an up-and-coming label that rose to success along side Abigor. Helping with concept, promotion and designs, he also conceived the compilation With Us or Against Us in 1995 to establish the label's focus on black metal, which bands like Nåstrond, Ildjarn, Setherial, Unpure quickly were signed and benefitted. After his engagement decreased in 1997, 'Napalm Records' changed direction to gothic metal along with more commercially viable styles. Furthermore, according to interviews with the group, the band never played live, as "they are convinced this form of black metal is not meant for a 'metal gig' presentation."

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After several demos, the Promotape (Demos 93-94) compilation arrived in 1994. A few more demos emerged before proper releases in the form of Verwüstung / Invoke the Dark Age (1994), Orkblut - The Retaliation (1995), Nachthymnen (From the Twilight Kingdom) (1995), Opus IV (1996), Apokalypse EP (1997), Supreme Immortal Art (1998) and Structures of Immortality EP (1998), culminating with the release of the compilation Origo Regium 1993-1994 (1998).

The group's distinctive sound made heavy use of multiple layered guitar. Although bass guitars were featured on their recordings until Opus IV, they were mixed to almost inaudible levels, hence the widespread misconception that the band had no bass. Some of their later releases returned to this style.

For Channeling the Quintessence Of Satan (1999), Thurisaz (vocals), who had been in the thrash metal band Lost Victim together with T.T. in the 1980s, joined the band but later that year he left the band citing personal matters as well as being fed up with what once was the "scene". After his departure, Abigor released a compilation and one more album in the form of In Memory... compilation (2000) and Satanized (A Journey Through Cosmic Infinity) (2001) before breaking up in 2003.

The compilations, Verwüstung / Invoke the Dark Age - Opus IV (2004) and Nachthymnen (From the Twilight Kingdom) / Orkblut - The Retaliation (2004) followed before the release of the EP, hockwave 666 EP (2004) released posthumously.

In April 2006, P.K. and T.T. decided to join forces again, and after A.R. (Real Name: Arthur Rosar; vocals/lyrics) joined the ranks, the release of Fractal Possession (2007) followed. Then with the compilation Apokalypse & Origo Regium 1993-1994 (2008) under their belt, Rune (Real Name: Alexander Opitz) assisted with vocals on disc 2 of the 2 disc set Time Is the Sulphur in the Veins of the Saint - An Excursion on Satan's Fragmenting Principle (2010), as well as the follow-up Quintessence (2012). The group returned to the original two man set for Leytmotif Luzifer (The 7 Temptations of Man) (2014).

After the box set, 1994-1998: The Complete Hörnix Recordings (2015), Kingdom of Darkness EP (2016), Höllenzwang (Chronicles of Perdition) (2018), Black Icarus / Metamorphosis EP (2018), Four Keys to a Foul Reich (Songs of Pestilence, Darkness and Death) compilation (2019) and Totschläger (A Saintslayer's Songbook) (2020) followed; the last one featuring Silenius (Real Name: Michael Gregor) on vocals. Taphonomia Aeternitatis - Gesänge im Leichenlicht der Welt (2023) would follow.