Biography
Ne Obliviscaris formed in late 2003 when violinist and clean vocalist Tim Charles joined forces with harsh vocalist Marc "Xenoyr" Campbell to create an Australian extreme progressive metal outfit. The initial lineup also featured a female soprano vocalist alongside a lead guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Former Gomorrah rhythm guitarist Matt Klavins came aboard in early 2004, followed by lead guitarist Corey King. In 2005 bassist Brendan "Cygnus" Brown, formerly of Aphotic Dawn and Primordial Space, and drummer Daniel "Mortuary" Presland replaced the original rhythm section, after which the six-piece spent nearly two years rehearsing and performing regional shows.
The collective issued its three-track, 33-minute demo The Aurora Veil in 2007, earning widespread underground praise for its distinctive yet unpredictable fusion of death and melodic metal with classical, jazz, and avant-garde improvisation. Shortly after its release King departed, leaving the band without a guitarist until French guitar slinger Benjamin Baret, who had previously performed with Brown in Primordial Space, successfully auditioned in 2008. With this sextet in place, Ne Obliviscaris began tracking their debut full-length in 2009 while staging the concert Festival de la Grenouille to fund a Distinguished Talent Visa that would enable Baret to move to Australia. Fourteen months later, with the finished album awaiting mixing, the application was rejected.
A petition and letter-writing campaign mounted to appeal the decision ultimately succeeded in 2011, clearing the way for the long-completed Portal of I to appear the following year. Global critics and listeners alike embraced the record's evolved sound and approach. The group signed with Seasons of Mist in 2013 and commenced work on its successor. Upon completing the album they launched a June 2014 crowd-funding drive that sought $40,000 yet ultimately gathered more than double that amount to underwrite a world tour supporting the release. Citadel emerged in November 2014.
Singles "Urn (Part I) -- And Within the Void We Are Breathless" and "Urn (Part II) -- As Embers Dance in Our Eyes" preceded the 2017 full-length Urn, which became the band's first ARIA-charting effort at number 35. Tracking sessions for their fourth album commenced in earnest in March 2020 amid the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite subsequent obstacles, including the 2022 departure of longtime drummer Daniel Presland, Ne Obliviscaris finished the project, resulting in the 2023 release of Exul.
The collective issued its three-track, 33-minute demo The Aurora Veil in 2007, earning widespread underground praise for its distinctive yet unpredictable fusion of death and melodic metal with classical, jazz, and avant-garde improvisation. Shortly after its release King departed, leaving the band without a guitarist until French guitar slinger Benjamin Baret, who had previously performed with Brown in Primordial Space, successfully auditioned in 2008. With this sextet in place, Ne Obliviscaris began tracking their debut full-length in 2009 while staging the concert Festival de la Grenouille to fund a Distinguished Talent Visa that would enable Baret to move to Australia. Fourteen months later, with the finished album awaiting mixing, the application was rejected.
A petition and letter-writing campaign mounted to appeal the decision ultimately succeeded in 2011, clearing the way for the long-completed Portal of I to appear the following year. Global critics and listeners alike embraced the record's evolved sound and approach. The group signed with Seasons of Mist in 2013 and commenced work on its successor. Upon completing the album they launched a June 2014 crowd-funding drive that sought $40,000 yet ultimately gathered more than double that amount to underwrite a world tour supporting the release. Citadel emerged in November 2014.
Singles "Urn (Part I) -- And Within the Void We Are Breathless" and "Urn (Part II) -- As Embers Dance in Our Eyes" preceded the 2017 full-length Urn, which became the band's first ARIA-charting effort at number 35. Tracking sessions for their fourth album commenced in earnest in March 2020 amid the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite subsequent obstacles, including the 2022 departure of longtime drummer Daniel Presland, Ne Obliviscaris finished the project, resulting in the 2023 release of Exul.
Albums
Singles
