Apophis is, according to Egyptian mythology, a serpent god of a vast size. But in this case, Apophis is a german metal band formed in 1989. They started as a thrash metal band by the name Raise Hell (influenced by bands like Slayer and Destruction), but soon changed their name to Apophis and their music became much more death metal-ish, and maturing over the years to the form Apophis plays today. Apophis has released two full-length albums and two MCD's since 1993. Their second full-length, titled "Heliopolis" is revered as a classic by many.
The band plays brutal, but complex and slightly melodic death metal, with roots in the old school but overall musical dimensions expanding to something far other than but simple, primitive metal. Apophis has been noted for their guitar solos, which tend to stray far away from typical death metal guitar soloing. Not surpisingly, their lyrics, song titles and album titles tend to associate with Egyptian themes and gods.
Apophis has had members coming and going in vast numbers during the years, but the founding member and main songwriter Erik has kept the band alive.
