Krabathor

Krabathor emerged in 1984 as one of the earliest heavy metal outfits in what was then Czechoslovakia, later the Czech Republic. Drawing influence from German thrash acts such as Kreator and Destruction—the rare few who ventured regularly across the Iron Curtain—guitarist-vocalist Christopher, bassist-vocalist Bruno, and Havran produced several little-known demos before compulsory military service interrupted their progress in 1988. Once discharged, Christopher and Bruno revived the group in 1991 alongside fresh drummer Kopec, issuing their initial English-language recording, the demo “Feelings of Dethronisation,” which marked a decisive turn from thrash toward death metal. A contract with Czech imprint Monitor yielded the albums Only Our Death Is Welcome in 1992 and Cool Mortification in 1993; seeking wider reach, the band then signed with Germany’s Morbid Records, where drummer Skull came aboard. Throughout the 1990s Krabathor steadily expanded its audience via Lies (1995), the EP Mortal Memories (1997), Orthodox (1998), and Unfortunately Dead (2000), on which longtime bassist Bruno gave way to ex-Master member Paul Speckmann.