Bacchia Neraida

Definitely one of the oddest inclusions in this archive, BACCHIA NERAIDA played a highly idiosynchratic form ambient Black Metal/Dungeon Synth, thematically centered around the mythology and religious practices of ancient Greece. The band was created as a one-man project by Cernunnos, who would later become better known as the founder of WOLFNACHT (by then under the pseudonym Athalwolf). A prolific musician, Cernunnos/Athalwolf also created music similar to BACCHIA NERAIDA in ELFEN and CERNUNNOS.

Except for the Black Metal rasps and occasional blastbeat, BACCHIA NERAIDA largely eschewed standard Black Metal instrumentation in favor of various “ethnic” instruments, keyboards and chants. Still, there’s no denying that this is music created within a Black Metal framework - sort of like a Hellenic pagan/medievalist version of MORTIIS but even stranger and more obscure in its presentation. Granted, the band’s final demo tape “Eternal Kingdom Hades” is closer to conventional Black Metal, but still retains a certain degree of oddness when it comes to atmosphere and songwriting.

Definitely an acquired taste overall, but potentially rewarding for those with patience and the “proper” inclinations to appreciate it. As for an introduction, start with “Ερμις” (1997) as it’s arguably the most approachable and “to-the-point” release.

Compilation appearances: