Hades Almighty

Hades Almighty is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1992 and originally named Hades. The band was forced to change their name to Hades Almighty in 1998, following complaints from an American band with a prior claim to the name. Hades Almighty has released four studio albums since their formation.

History
Hades was formed in Bergen, Norway in 1992 by ex-Immortal guitarist Jørn Inge Tunsberg and ex-Dark drummer Remi Andersen. They were later joined by vocalist and bassist Jan Otto "Janto" Garmannslund and second guitarist Wilhelm Nagel. Hades' first demo, Alone Walkyng, was recorded in June 1993 at Grieghallen and produced by Pytten. In 1993, Tunsberg was convicted, along with fellow black metal musician Varg Vikernes (of Burzum), for the burning of a Norwegian church in Åsane, which led to a prison sentence. Following the release of Alone Walkyng, the band signed with Full Moon Productions and recorded their first album, ...Again Shall Be, in 1994 at Grieghallen. Guitarist Nagel left the band the same year and was replaced by Stig Hagenes.

Hades released their second album, Dawn of the Dying Sun, in 1997, recorded at Grieghallen. The band supported the release of the album with extensive touring throughout Europe and America. In 1998, the band was forced to change their name from Hades to Hades Almighty due to complaints from an American band with a prior claim to the name. Following the name-change, the band began working on their next album, as well as playing at the Wacken Open Air festival.

In 1999, the band released Millenium Nocturne, recorded in Prolog Studios in Dortmund. Hades toured Europe in support of the album with Immortal and Benediction, and a separate set of gigs in the Benelux region with Mayhem and Primordial. Hades' fourth album, Pulse of Decay, was released in 2001. The band signed a management contract with Khaoz Productions in 2003, and a record deal with Dark Essence Records in 2004. The label re-released Pulse of Decay in 2004 with several bonus tracks produced by Pytten (including a cover of Manowar's "Each Dawn I Die") and music video for the track "Submission Equals Suicide".

In 2014, frontman Janto left Hades after 22 years for personal reasons and was replaced by Ask Ty Arctander (of Kampfar). The new line-up released the EP Pyre Era, Black! in 2015. In 2018, Therese Tofting (of Fairy) joined the band as bassist.

Current line-up

 * Ask Ty Arctander - lead vocals (2014–present)
 * Jørn Inge Tunsberg - lead guitar, keyboards (1992–present)
 * Therese Tofting - bass guitar, backing vocals (2018–present)
 * Remi Andersen - drums (1992–present)

Past members

 * Jan Otto "Janto" Garmannslund - lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards (1992–2014)
 * Wilhelm Nagel - guitar (1993–1994)
 * Stig Hagenes - guitar (1994–1999)

As Hades
Studio albums Demos
 * ...Again Shall Be (1994)
 * Dawn of the Dying Sun (1997)


 * Alone Walkyng (1993)

As Hades Almighty
Studio albums EPs
 * Millennium Nocturne (1999)
 * The Pulse of Decay (2001)


 * Pyre Era, Black! (EP, 2015)