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As Sahar (band)
As Sahar was formerly known as Ethos, started out a thrash metal band way back in 1987 during the Golden era of German Thrash eg; Sodom, Poison, Destruction and some additional bands like Mercyful Fate, Venom, Hallows Eve, Postmortem & Bathory. Those were the among bands early influences and inspirations by As Sahar, but to find their own identity it had been mixed into a melodical and atmospherical tune of Black Metal throughout the journey.

History
The band was founded by Malik Hanael on bass and Sam Uriel on drums. Malik's younger brother One Barchiel joined to be guitar/vocal for the band as the efforts to find a suitable vocalist failed.Some compulsory factors hindered the band's recordings and therefore it takes till 1993 for the band first recording of a 2 track promo-tape in July that year. The promo-tape gained good reviews from fanzines worldwide, which motivated the band to move further. Two months later As Sahar released the "Primitively Eastern Winds" demo, it's a demo in the vein of Nordic Black Metal concentrated on melodic riffs with depression aura. The demo sold-well almost 700 copies worldwide (more now considering the re-released versions from Nebuila Production).

While As Sahar's type of Black Metal was highly acclaimed by listeners regionally & worldwide,fans starved for more releases from the band. After Primitively Eastern Winds the trinity of Malik, Sam & One went into "Meditation" searching for their own identity. They wanted As Sahar to be something different, as a creator of a new Black Metal phenomenon. The result was seen in their new EP title "Santau" released in 1995. "Santau" was rich in Nusantara Archipelago Mystical values. Musically As Sahar trademark had a cocktail of traditional Malay melodies and lyrically the band sang of sorcery, black magic & the supernaturals within the Malay Archipelago region which the band saw these as a nationalistic sentiment. "Santau" which was then licensed for release in the Malaysian market by Nebuila Production (bearing a new title Meditasi Embun Pagi). As Sahar became a creator, a pioneer of what is best termed as Malay oriented Black Metal, even new bands emerged within the region idolizing As Sahar, using the same musical ideologies. Sam Uriel left the band shortly after the released of "Santau" due to personal commitments. It didn't take long to find Sam Uriel's replacement - Iblyss a known figure from two local greats band in Singapore Abhorer & Impiety. His first tasks were to record 2 tracks for Storm of Nebuila Compilation (released by Nebuila Production) in 1996. The new line-up took part in many gigs around Semenanjung Tanah with a firm fan base both in Singapore and Malaysia. Nebuila Productions released "Phenomistik" debut album in 1996. The phenomenon arising from the "Santau" EP widened. As Sahar continued thier dominion locally with "Beyond Firmament" a split album with Hayagriva, a band from Ipoh in 1998. The split album was a special project by both and release by Memories Records. "Beyond Firmament" confirmed the band's status as an emblem for Metal with Malay Magickal essences.

Iblyss was replaced by Fauzzt, who was drummer from band called Hail and as well a session for Kibosh Sybil Kismet, "Baku Karama" was released in 1999 by Nebuila Productions and lead a big shocker for As Sahar fanatical followers. It wasn't Black Metal album, it was a roots of Rocks in the era 80's highly influenced by D'Febians,Helter Skelter, S.Y.J Sofea etc... and sent fans drifting away with confusion.

By 2001, Malik Hanael was no longer in the band apart from concentrating on his own band Requiem. Alone One Barchiel continued the reign of As Sahar experimenting and producing "Intifada" album in 2001 with the help of few sessionist like Jadam from Necrotic Chaos/Gorb/ Profane Creation and also Dark E from Sil-Khannaz/Vociferation Eternity. The album had at least 70% of what As Sahar used to be and those fans who deserted had returned, making it into Top 20 of Malaysian top-selling albums. Nebuila Productions re-release As Sahar's 1993 "Primitively Eastern Winds" demo under a new title "Casus Luciferi" and live EP in the same year entitled "Bomohymns Okultika" a recording it from Noctournal War gig at Penang in 1998.

Malik Hanael returned in 2002 and recruited Najasakthee of Hayagriva in the drums composing "Al-Rischa" released by Nebuila Production in November that year and bring back the memories of "Phenomistik" days. The new release goes about estronomy & the mysteries of it's colossal connections. The return of the old Black Metal As Sahar was more then welcoming for their fans. Najasakthee had delivered well in the recordings and exit himself from the band after "Al Rischa".

2003 One & Malik got Nebuila Production to release their rare & unreleased materials "Devillation Master's" demo. A demo which had an aggressive combination of Thrash and Death metal influence,originally recorded in 1994 with the first line up. "Devillation Masters" was a bonus for As Sahar's fanatics as the band decided to take a 2 years silent, meanwhile Malik got himself involved in other bands such as Istidraj & Sadiztik Impaler. End of 2004 As Sahar were ready to record their new materials with Sam Uriel re-joining the two brothers for the recordings of "Jaann". "Jaann" bear all these essences of qualities and idolized band like Bazzah, Nebiras & Rator through this new albums and was released by Nebuila Productions in July 2005.