In the early nineties, Barditus and Zwelg where playing in obscure bands like Panopticon and Acromegal. From the latter, a project with deceased drummer Goort, LUGUBRUM emerged, after its vision had appeared before Barditus during a delirium. In ’92, 2 Songs were created, but soon activities were derived to drinking in the woods. Zwelg left the band in '93 in an act of unsound mind.
Shortly after, Barditus teamed up with Midgaard, the circle was closed and the demon was fed. The LUGUBRUM temple was built and severe worship followed, resulting in the legendary "Black Prophecies" demo in '93 and the '94 promo, both distributed on a small scale. This early material showed influences of Dark Throne, Burzum, Bathory,…LUGUBRUM led a solitary existence immersed in the blackness of LUGUBRUM studios and adjoining wood and ice cellar, not bothering with scene /social activity. The pace was set and '95 saw the release of their first full-length album ‘Winterstones’, on their own clandestine label Skramasax. The reactions were very positive and things looked promising.
In early '97 ‘Gedachte & Geheugen’ was released. The first part consisting of fast and raw ‘war metal’, the second of dark synthesizer music. Midgaard and Barditus were very pleased with the result, but the bigger part of the outside world considered it as being ‘too extreme’ compared to their succesful debut. The reactions came as a disappointment, and due to various setbacks, LUGUBRUM was put dormant for a year. Midgaard started working on other things like the Kwerkus project and rumours went round that they had split up.
In early '98 an excruciating but familiar stench filled the scene as LUGUBRUM was brought back to life. Zwelg, who was playing in a raw BM band called FINSTERNIS with Svein, rejoined LUGUBRUM as their bass player. ‘De Zuivering’, recorded and mixed in one single night of alcohol and chaos and released as a split with Sudarium (B) on Skramasax and Lowlife records, carried by now typical LUGUBRUM riffing with thrash elements and introduced the term ‘Boersk Blek Metle’, which soon caught on as definition of their own perverted style.On October 17th of that year, the unbelievable took place: LUGUBRUM played their first and infamous live concert during the Lugburz fest at St-Niklaas. For this occasion Svein was recruted on drums, a collaboration which proved succesfull as Svein became a permanent member. LUGUBRUM played late in the evening and had consequently drunk way too much, resulting in a somewhat blurry performance and Barditus tumbling into the drumkit. A second live show was given on December 26th at the Frontline in Ghent, which proved LUGUBRUM can remain sober enough to play their songs correctly.
After these experiences the band started composing as a 4 piece band, resulting in their best known album ‘De Totem’, released in ’99 on the Dutch Berzerker Label. The metal world was shocked by the use of cow/pig samples, banjo tunes and unusual imagery, but screamed for more. On the 18th of august 2000, a third performance was given, this time at the Feel Estate art festival in the Backstage, Ghent. The band was locked up in a damp cellar for 8 hours with their instruments and fridge full of beer.The spectacle could be followed on screen on the first floor. Fellow artist Prez vomited on the climactic rendition of ‘Voos’. The day proved to be a manifestation of true LUGUBRUM atmosphere. Barditus however, was having a rough time controling his alcohol abuse and disliked new LUGUBRUM material, resulting in his departure after squealing on not more than 2 of 16 (!) tracks on the next masterpiece ‘Bruyne Troon’, released early 2001 on Skramasax. Most of the vocals were done by MidgaarS. The album, entirely dedicated to LUGUBRUM’s pet swine Kwabje (rip), was the perfect follow up to ‘De Totem’ and after a year of hesitation the public got hooked on this piece of ‘brown gold’. Snakeskinned pimping and graveyard sunbathing became a trend .
By this time Barditus was rehabilitated and ready to return to LUGUBRUM, carrying a crate of beer and even a bunch of guitar riffs! Devotedly, the 4 piece worked on the next highlight, ‘Al Ghemist’, a dark and sober opus, released even the same year on lp by Painiac records (B) and in 2002 on cd by Full Moon Productions (US) as a split with FINSTERNIS. Although (or perhaps on account of) lacking more Boersk extravaganzas ‘AG’ was hailed in the Underground for its atmosphere and artwork.
At this time, ten years after the first LUGUBRUM notes were played, instead of whimping out and having birthday cake, LUGUBRUM have recorded their 7th work ‘De Vette Cuecken’, due for release early 2003, which will introduce a new bass player, Kundalingus, who’ll replace the once again departed Zwelg. (Kundalingus had played with MidgaarS before in Kwerkus.) Members have also founded and are involved in the ‘Brotherhood of the Essence’, a select group of seekers of knowledge. Still in 2002 there’ll be a much anticipated re-release of the ‘De Totem’ album on Blood Fire Death Records (US) featuring new material. LUGUBRUM’s manure stench will not lessen for some time to come, as experimenting with new riffs and a 2nd guitarist is taking place for an 8th assault and possibly a live performance!