Biography
Sweden saw the emergence of Diabolical, a traditional death metal outfit, in 1996, when the group first assembled under the name Misanthropic Orchestra. Vidar W. handled lead guitar as the sole member who would remain through every subsequent lineup shift, while Agilma supplied vocals, Phamarus played bass, and Keuron sat behind the drums. The musicians committed their initial track to tape in late 1997 for inclusion on Voices of Death, a Vod Records anthology. April 1998 brought L. Soderberg in to replace Keuron on drums; at that same moment the band adopted its permanent title, Diabolical. By August of that year Soderberg had added bass duties to his drumming role. October 1998 yielded a split release with Blazing Skies and, weeks later, the contribution “No Remorse” to the Metal Militia, Vol. 3 compilation, an album that would not appear until nearly three years afterward.
Lineup flux continued between 1996 and 1999 until June 1999, when H. Carlsson arrived to cover both lead and rhythm guitar positions. Two months later M. Odling took over lead vocals. This quartet—Vidar W., Soderberg, Carlsson, and Odling—solidified into a stable unit, allowing Agilma to depart and concentrate on his primary project, Haimad. Canadian Death Network issued the band’s debut CD, Deserts of Desolation, in May 2000. Scarlet Records, the Italian label responsible for Terror 2000 and Necrodeath, then signed Diabolical for its first proper album, Synergy, which appeared in April 2001 under the production of P.O. Saether, known for his work with Ebony Tears, Carnal Forge, and Terror 2000. Saether also helmed the follow-up, A Thousand Deaths, tracked in September 2001; the record captured the group’s growing experience in a faster, tighter, and more aggressive form.
June 2001 saw Jonas Berndt, the creative force behind Mork Gryning, join on bass. Although the members had long avoided live shows, they accepted an initial concert offer that proved decisive, transforming Diabolical into a consistent stage act. Their first major tour, undertaken in November 2001, placed them alongside Hatesphere, Grave, Portal, and Withered Beauty across dates in Sweden and Denmark. By February 2002 Berndt had returned to full-time duties with Mork Gryning, prompting Soderberg to resume his dual bass-and-drums responsibilities.
Lineup flux continued between 1996 and 1999 until June 1999, when H. Carlsson arrived to cover both lead and rhythm guitar positions. Two months later M. Odling took over lead vocals. This quartet—Vidar W., Soderberg, Carlsson, and Odling—solidified into a stable unit, allowing Agilma to depart and concentrate on his primary project, Haimad. Canadian Death Network issued the band’s debut CD, Deserts of Desolation, in May 2000. Scarlet Records, the Italian label responsible for Terror 2000 and Necrodeath, then signed Diabolical for its first proper album, Synergy, which appeared in April 2001 under the production of P.O. Saether, known for his work with Ebony Tears, Carnal Forge, and Terror 2000. Saether also helmed the follow-up, A Thousand Deaths, tracked in September 2001; the record captured the group’s growing experience in a faster, tighter, and more aggressive form.
June 2001 saw Jonas Berndt, the creative force behind Mork Gryning, join on bass. Although the members had long avoided live shows, they accepted an initial concert offer that proved decisive, transforming Diabolical into a consistent stage act. Their first major tour, undertaken in November 2001, placed them alongside Hatesphere, Grave, Portal, and Withered Beauty across dates in Sweden and Denmark. By February 2002 Berndt had returned to full-time duties with Mork Gryning, prompting Soderberg to resume his dual bass-and-drums responsibilities.
Albums
Singles
