Hecate Enthroned

Formed in 1993 between Wales and England, initially under the names Amethyst and then Daemonum, Hecate Enthroned later anchored itself around northwestern England, between Wrexham, Merseyside and Cheshire. The band developed a repertoire positioned between symphonic black metal and blackened death metal, with a pronounced use of keyboards, dark atmospheres and a writing style that gradually shifted its center of gravity from the early black metal fury toward more massive forms and death metal. After the demo An Ode for a Haunted Wood and the EP Upon Promeathean Shores (Unscriptured Waters) in 1995, Hecate Enthroned released The Slaughter of Innocence, a Requiem for the Mighty in 1997, then Dark Requiems... and Unsilent Massacre in 1998, two records that established its identity on the British extreme scene. Kings of Chaos in 1999 confirms a move toward more death metal, pursued on Redimus in 2004, with regular lineup changes along the way, notably in vocals, keyboards and drums. Remaining active on European stages, Hecate Enthroned then returned with Virulent Rapture in 2013, then Embrace of the Godless Aeon in 2019, the first album with Joe Stamps on vocals. The nucleus formed around Nigel Dennen, Dylan Hughes and Andy Milnes ensures the continuity of a sound blending velocity, dark melody and an orchestral dimension.