Baphomet

Germany's Baphomet drew their moniker from a well-known Venom track and first assembled in 1986, yet a protracted development phase kept their death-and-thrash blend from catching the mid-eighties crest of Teutonic thrash. With Thomas Hertler handling vocals, Gernot Kerrer on guitar, Hansi Bieber on bass and Manuel Reichert behind the drums, the group finally issued their long-delayed debut No Answers in 1991; the more assured follow-up Latest Jesus appeared the next year, but a German support run with Cannibal Corpse proved to be the extent of their activity. By the arrival of the 1994 farewell Trust, Hertler had already departed, prompting the remaining members to abandon the Baphomet name and continue as Banished.