Chaosbaphomet

Created and maintained by core duo scene veterans Iapetos (vocals – UNHOLY ARCHANGEL, founder of Unholy Distro) and Ravenlord Wampyri Draconium (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards – EMPIRE OF THE MOON, TATIR, founder of Acherontas Promotions), CHAOSBAPHOMET was founded in 2003 (according to an interview with Metal Hammer Greece, Metal-Archives states 2001 as the year of foundation). As one would suspect given the credentials, CHAOSBAPHOMET’s music can only be described as Black Metal, although approached from a different angle than either EMPIRE OF THE MOON or UNHOLY ARCHANGEL.

The recorded history of CHAOSBAPHOMET begins with 2004’s three-track (intro + two compositions) demo tape “Temple of the Serpent Baphomet” – the first release on Acherontas Promotions. With Iapetos and Ravenlord Wampyri Draconium joined by Terry “Warhead” Elefheriou (WARGRINDER, CELESTIAL SCREAM, NAER MATARON, etc.) on session drums, “Temple…” offers rapid semi-melodic Black Metal, stylistically located in the intersection between Hellenic and Scandinavian BM. Despite being somewhat more conventional-sounding than the band’s later output (including sinister tremolo riffing and chord progressions habitually associated with Norse BM), there are poignant hints of the band’s developing signature style, especially during the closing track “Sons of the Black Skies (Defenders of Eternal Darkness)”.

Hardly eager to rush out their work prematurely, CHAOSBAPHOMET spent the next ten years or so honing their art through a series of split releases/EPs – all of which glimpsed at the band’s potential. However, it was with the debut LP “Promethean Black Flame” (2016) that CHAOSBAPHOMET made their strongest and most distinguished statement to date. As before, Iapetos and Ravenlord Wampyri Draconium remained at the center, now backed by session-man Nick “Yngve” Samios (drums – GUNGNIR, ACHERONTAS, FLAMES, etc.) along with prominent guest vocalists Acherontas V.P. (ACHERONTAS, SHIBALBA, WAMPYRINACHT, etc.), John “Gothmog” Hiotelllis (THOU ART LORD, MORTIFY, TERRA TENEBRAE, etc.) and Ouroboros (EMPIRE OF THE MOON).

Conceptually dedicated to the Titanic pantheon of ancient Greek mythology, “Promethean Black Flame” operates through an intriguing amalgamation of styles and traditions, channeled into hard-hitting yet memorable compositions. As mentioned above, CHAOSBAPHOMET differ in significant ways from both the tumultuous War Metal of Iapetos’ UNHOLY ARCHANGEL as well as the more mystical/ambient Black Metal advocated by Ravenlord Wampyri Draconium’s EMPIRE OF THE MOON. Neither does “Promethean Black Flame” come across as a mix of the afore-mentioned bands, but rather as a distinct entity of its own. The closest point of reference would probably be the later works of fellow Greek legends NECROMANTIA (they even included a cover of latter’s “Spiritforms of the Psychomancer” as album closer), combining the grand gestures and memetic songwriting techniques of Heavy Metal with the raw force and sinister atmospherics of Black Metal. To this quintessential formula is added a host of additional elements to further distinguish the band’s style. One of the chief characteristics would be the employment of palm-muted riffs in liaison with Nick Yngve’s insistent drumming, which grace the music with a harsh almost militaristic quality. Further detective work also reveals influences from Death Metal, but also traditional Greek music along the lines of DAEMONIA NYMPHE, which fits quite naturally with the album’s overarching concept.

Although no further releases have appeared from CHAOSBAPHOMET, neither has there been any official signs of the band’s demise.

Compilation appearances:
* Hellenic Black Metal Inferno Vol. 2 [CD, Comp: Zyklon B Productions, 2007]