Drautran

Drautran came together as a German black metal band in Kiel during 1996, founded by Winter, Arn, Blutaar, Doomguard, and Oluf. Without a drummer for most of those early years, the group only became able to pursue its Norse-inspired metal once Orloc came aboard in 1998. The first demo took shape the next year and appeared in 2000 under the title Unter dem Banner der Nordwinde. Multiple personnel shifts followed over the ensuing period while the musicians refined their approach through local performances. Once the lineup stabilized somewhat in 2002, work began on material intended for a debut album. Another departure occurred before the band finally entered the studio in 2005. After further postponement, 2007 proved pivotal when Lupus Lounge Records signed Drautran and issued the long-awaited first full-length, Throne of the Depths, that October. The label also arranged a reissue of the original demo EP and committed to a five-album contract. Despite this progress, the group again lost its drummer by year’s end. With no replacement available, Drautran suspended all live appearances starting in 2008.