'Hortus Animae’, 'the garden of the soul', was formed in 1997 by Martyr Lucifer (Lead vocals / Bass), Thomas (drums), Shred Blast Hypnos (guitars) and Bless (Keyboards), as the original line-up, uniting with the aim of creating something that brought forward their passion for extreme metal, but contemporarily moulding it with their other musical inspirations and passions. The result started to take form almost immediately. Shortly after, as second guitarist, Iarsa joined the band having played in numerous gothic and extreme metal acts.
'Hortus Animae's sound can be often described as a melting pot, proposing a true and instinctive blend of black metal, 70's prog rock, gothic and finally arriving at new forms of extreme and modern art. Not much passed before the band recorded their first demo-tape "An Abode for Spirit and Flesh", which was very well reviewed by all major specialised magazines and smaller fanzines, and emphasised immediately not only a musical knowledge and culture unknown to many others, but also a true taste in lyrical and conceptual characteristics.
After exactly 2 years, the line-up went through several changes as 'Hortus Animae' searched for the exactly right musicians. Proceeding in their artistic flare, they proceeded to compose and record their first self-produced full length album, namely 'The Melting Idols' which circled a new essence of the band who now pushed down the accelerator and added more aggressiveness to their music, however maintaining their greatly melodical and progressive breaks. this emphasised the artistic contrast of their music even more, and gave birth to a genre very few known bands perform.
After a few supporting gigs to bands the like of 'Napalm Death', 'Konkhra', 'Lacuna Coil' and 'Ancient', the band started to feel the urge to push their career forward and began writing and orchestrating the material for their biggest opus, 'Waltzing Mephisto', the ultimate blend of all their artistic and musical branches. It was as if 'Hortus Animae' united all of their efforts and past experiences both musical, artistic and professional, and gave birth to their ultimate offspring.
For this particular recording, the band had the chance of the availability of Diego 'GroM' Meraviglia, drummer of the notorious Metal Blade Recs. act 'Ancient', and the DragonHeart Recs. act 'Doomsword', working as a respected studio session musician and adding a great further growing point to the band's sound and impact.
After a while Diego GroM Meraviglia decided that he was interested in joining the band as an official full time member and the line-up was therefore completed. Hortus Animae released their promo album 'Waltzing Mephisto' and sent it to various record labels, receiving great comments and a lot of interest from many companies. A numerous amount of offers came in and finally the band chose to sign for 'Black Lotus Records' in October 2002, preferring their offer above many others.
The ‘Waltzing Mephisto’ album was released in April 2003 and it received great responses from both press and fans worldwide, including Japan and South America .
After this release a new member, Amon 418 (from the cult death metal band Baratro), joined Hortus Animae and the band started to work on a Dead Can Dance cover version in cooperation with Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull, ex Theatre Of Tragedy and current Atrocity singer. This cover version is featured in a tribute album that also includes artists like Nightfall, Ulver, Antimatter, Green Carnation, The Gathering and Daniel Cavanagh of Anathema.
As of now the band is writing the material for their next release which will be recorded within the end of 2004. About the new work, some songs will be much intricate and complex, while others will have in simplicity their strength point. So, once again, an opus that can not be ignored!
Line-up:
Martyr Lucifer: lead vocals, bass Shred Blast Hypnos: guitars Bless: keyboards GroM: drums and percussion Amon 418: guitars
Source: http://www.hortusanimae.com/
