Alastis

Alastis took their name from hell’s executioner and introduced Switzerland to horror-themed dark metal. The band formed in 1989 with War D. on guitar, Zumof handling vocals, Acronoise on drums, and Masmise on bass, though Masmise departed soon afterward after accepting an offer to join Samael in 1990. Once Zumof left, War D. assumed both guitar and vocal duties, resulting in the release of the debut album This Just Law on Head Not Found Records. Ongoing personnel changes continued until Alastis signed with Adipocere Records, which issued the second album ...And Death Smiled in 1995. Century Media Records expressed interest the following year, opening full North American distribution channels. The Other Side appeared in 1997 and established the band’s presence in the goth and black metal underground. In 1998 a settled lineup of War D. on guitar, synthesizer, and vocals, Acronoise on drums, Nick on second guitar, and Raff on bass supported the release of the fourth album Revenge later that same year.