Found in 1996, Amethyst started out as a schoolband by Norbert, Ayhan, Jeroen and Wil. People came and went for a few years until the beginning of 1999, when things started to become more serious. By that time, the line-up was pretty stable, and a number of very convincing and promising songs were composed. Combining aggression with very melodical elements, the music of Amethyst started to differ itself from other bands, both local and international.
A lot of influences were melted into one band, resulting in a number of songs that were very dynamic. In april 1999, Amethyst went to a small recording studio to record their songs in a single day, although the demo was never really distributed. By november 1999, drummer Norbert and the rest of the band decided not to continue together due to a personal reasons. Amethyst continued with Michael behind the drumkit, who used to do the keys. This wasn't a line-up to last, sadfully, because short after Michael decided to quit due to differences in musical taste. Ivo joined, and mastered the drums.
Since february 2000 Amethyst started a promotion through the internet, posting its MP3's on big music sites such as MP3.com and Vitaminic. In may 2000 the female singer Natasja joined the band, just before the recordings of the second CDemo "Dea Noctilucae" in july of that year. In 4,5 days Amethyst recorded and mixed their 40 minute CDemo, which was received very well from the start. Sadfully Ivo and Natasja left the band short after both due to a time shortage because of their education, but thankfully the band found a new drummer, Jochem.
He immediately was a great addition to the band, being faster, more technical and an overall better drummer than Amethyst ever had.
Since that time, Amethyst did not believe in female vocals and keyboards anymore, and the musical style of Amethyst shifted more towards melodic black/deathmetal in the vein of Dissection, At The Gates, etc. After the release of "Dea Noctilucae" in september 2000, Amethyst started to do quite a number of gigs, amongst others with Orphanage, Enthroned, Altar, After Forever, Ordo Draconis and Iscariot.
In july 2001 Amethyst hit the studio again, to record a promo CD called "From A Thousand Years Of Slumber.
In 1,5 days they recorded 4 songs, with great reactions so far!
