How it began...
The Band was founded in september '95, after Matthias (drums) and Sathonys (guitars) put adverts in various music magazines to find suitable musicians to join them. Shortly after, they got hold of Marko (bass) and Vlad (vocals and keyboards). Two months later, a second guitarrist (Hyperion) was added to this line-up, and in this constellation, the band recorded its first demo CARPE NOCTEM in april '96, which received great reviews in german major press like Rock Hard or Metal Hammer, but also in the worldwide underground. Even with this first appearance, Century Media were impressed by the talent of Agathodaimon and had an eye on the following activities of the band.
Many gigs with bands such as Desaster, Impending Doom, Ancient Ceremony and others took place, and even a little tour as support for Ablaze My Sorrow and Beseech was absolved, and after Century Media were aware of their livequalities, Agathodaimon was offered financial help to record their second demo, which the band at this moment couldn't afford to record. This second demo was called NEAR DARK and was recorded in march '97. Again, Century Media were impressed, but as the negotiations took a long time, the band offered this demo for sale, making it one of the most successful demos ever, selling more than 2500 copies so far. Meanwhile, other labels showed their interest due to enthusiastic reviews, and so the band also considered the offers of companies such as Listenable, Head Not Found, Last Episode, Merciless and others, but in the end, they decided to sign to Nuclear Blast as they simply made the best offer, concerning promotion, support and marketing.
Shortly before the recordings of their debut album BLACKEN THE ANGEL, bad luck stroke upon Agathodaimon, as Vlad, who was visiting his native country Romania, wasn't allowed to return to Germany by the authorities. Several tries failed, but the immigration board denied all requests, as he left Romania during Ceaucescu's reign and meanwhile it's a safe country, so there would be no need to enter germany again. Well, there were some problems beside this which makes his return quite hard, but these we'd like not to discuss in public. Just be aware that we tried many things to get him back, but everything failed, so we had to finish BLACKEN THE ANGEL in the last second with the help of a few guest musicians. Akaias took the part of the vocals, who's mainly involved in his band ASARU; and on keys, Vampallens (Marcel) of Nocte Obducta was so kind to grant his talents to the band. Vlad only could participate with an ambient song called 'Contemplation Song', which he sent by air mail on DAT...
After the release, the band played on various festivals and had tours with bands such as Benediction, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Children Of Bodom, Raise Hell... and could be seen on many gigs as headliner or support to bands like Dimmu Borgir or Lacrimosa.
As Vampallens wanted to again focus on his mainband Nocte Obducta, the band soon found a replacement in Christine S.
Then in late '99, the band finished the work on their second album HIGHER ART OF REBELLION which was recorded in Romania this time, at Magic Sound Studio in Bukarest.
Why? As mentioned earlier, it was not easy to work with Vlad being in Romania, so we were forced to travel to Romania this time, which finally enabled us to work together again. Of course, Akaias is also heard on this album, as well as Byron, who had some guest vocals on the 'Ribbons/Requiem' '99 version which was only published on 'Death Is Just The Beginning 5' so far.
Many gigs followed, some festival appearances (Wacken 2000, Windo Rock, Wave Gotik Treffen etc.) as well as a headliner tour with Siebenbürgen and Graveworm as support.
After a short break, the band began to work on their next album, which was released in November 2001, simply entitled "Chapter III". It features all songs the band did write during the period since Vlad's departure to Romania. The reviews have been fantastic on this album, and a european tour currently is in the making.
(left to right: Akaias, Marko T., Vera(model), Luscious(model), Sathonys, Christine S. (keys), Matthias R., Hyperion
