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Zemial is an avantgarde metal band from Anthens, Greece.

History
Zemial came to life in 1989 under the command of Dimitrios Dorian who takes the stage name of Archon Vorskaath in Athens - Hellas. After a number of demos, Zemial's official debut "Sleeping Under Tartarus" was released worldwide via Gothic Records in 1992 to great acclaim, placing them amongst the pioneering black metal bands of Hellas at the time. In 1994 Vorskaath moved to Australia during which time Zemial's output became limited as he begun working with other projects like Agatus, Alpha Centauri and The Watcher.

During this period of exploration, Vorskaath took a serious interest in drumming and composition and played in diverse musical styles such as free jazz, progressive rock and classical music. He played with various contemporary music Percussion Ensembles starting with the quartet Stix'n Tones in 1999 and became percussionist/timpanist for the Elder Wind Orchestra between 2003 and 2006. The exposure to different compositional and performance considerations had a definite effect on Zemial both in terms of live presentation and composition as would be seen and heard later on.

During the late 1990's Zemial's status climbed further on the strength of their unique (albeit rare) catalogue. However, with black metal losing its strength of spirit, Vorskaath withdrew from the black metal scene and focused on the pursuit of other musical styles, improvisation and composition.

Following incessant propositions, Zemial accepted an offer to return to Europe for a tour in 2001. Live elements previously unknown to black metal such as improvisation, drum solos, bass and guitar solos left the mark of a group that is focused on progress and musicianship above all else. Their electrifying live appearances remain one of their trademarks.

In 2003 with the mini-album "Face of the Conqueror", Vorskaath revisited the thrash era yet with all of the elements that characterize the sound of Zemial. The band toured Europe again in mid 2003 and 2006 playing to audiences from Scandinavia across to the Mediterranean.

In 2006, after 11 years away, Vorskaath moved back to Europe pursuing his career as session drummer/percussionist. This in turn gave him the opportunity to use Zemial as a vehicle for experimentation and to cover more ground in Europe in terms of live appearances.

As a mark of respect to the memory of Thomas Forsberg - the greatest inspiration of Zemial in the early years - Vorskaath wrote a cycle of compositions that were independently released on the 1st of May 2006 titled: "In Monumentum".

Despite being available exclusively through underground mail-order distributors, "In Monumentum" received great support making it the band's highest selling release to date and voted best album of 2006 on many a forum.

They toured again in 2007, recorded the "I Am the Dark" single in 2008 and begun work on a new album.

In 2009 Zemial are celebrating their 20th Anniversary with another European tour and the preparation of their long-awaited album, "NYKTA" to be released via Hells Headbangers Records in 2013.

NYKTA - Zemial's most ambitious, experimental and technical work to date was released on the 31st of October 2013 and places Zemial in the Avant-garde of Extreme Metal. Vorksaath recruited new touring members and toured both Europe and the United States.

Texts and Ideology
Vorskaaths texts are based on their own views on philosophy and religion and are inspired by the Sumerian, Babylonian and Greek myths and writings and generally ancient mythologies, history, occultism and observations of nature. The band plays the music avant-garde metal, with elements of thrash metal, black metal and progressive rock.

Discography

 * 1992: Sleeping Under Tartarus (EP; Torched Records, later re-released by Gothic Records)
 * 1996: For the Glory of UR (EP; Hypervorea, Sub-Terra Records)
 * 1997: Necrolatry (Demo)
 * 1999: For the Glory of UR (Re-release with Additional Tracks; Iron Pegasus Records)
 * 2003: Δαίμων (split EP with Kawir; Apocalyptor Records)
 * 2003: Face of the Conqueror (EP; Iron Pegasus Records, later re-released by ΝΥΞ with Necrolatry demo)
 * 2006: In Monumentum (ΝΥΞ)
 * 2009: I am the Dark (EP; ΝΥΞ)
 * 2011: Dusk (EP; Hells Headbangers Records)
 * 2013: Nykta (Hells Headbangers Records)

Line Up
Archon Vorskaath - Vocals, Drums & Percussion, Guitars, Bass, Analog Synthesizers & Lyrics

ADDITIONAL MUSICAL CONTRIBUTORS:

Chaosmos: Guitars, Vocals (2013 -

AR: Bass, Vocals (2014 -

Eskarth The Dark One - Guitars, Bass, Vocals (1996-2013)

Scorpios - Bass (2008-2011)

George Antipatis - Guitars (2011-2014)

Necromaniac - Bass (1992-1993)

Therthonax - Bass  (1991)

Draconis - Bass (1991)

Necrosauron - Drums (1992-1996)

Magus Wampyr Daoloth - Keyboards (1996)

Melanie Krötz - Vocals (2009)

J - Vocals (2009)

Brian Barrit - Vocals (2013)

Web Links

 * Facebook