Origin: Lithuania
Formed: 1992
Disbanded: 2002
Genre: Avant‑garde Black/Folk Metal
Status: Split‑up
Label: Ledo Takas Records
Themes: Death, Egyptian Mythology
Anubi stands as one of the most visionary and idiosyncratic bands to emerge from the Lithuanian underground. Formed in Kaunas in 1992, the project fused black metal, folk elements, ritual ambience, and avant‑garde experimentation into a sound that was entirely its own. Led by the enigmatic and charismatic Lord Ominous, Anubi developed a mythic identity rooted in death symbolism, Egyptian esotericism, and philosophical introspection. Their music was atmospheric, theatrical, and deeply conceptual—far removed from the raw orthodoxy of early black metal.
The early demos God’s Pantheon (1993) and Mastabos dvelksmas (1994) introduced the band’s unique blend of ritualistic black metal and ancient mysticism. Even at this early stage, Anubi displayed a strong sense of identity: layered vocals, unusual melodic structures, and a fascination with mythic death‑rites. Their contribution to the Dark Fire Dancing split (1994) further cemented their place within the emerging Baltic underground, showcasing a sound that was both primitive and strangely sophisticated.
With Mirties metafora (1995), Anubi began to fully embrace their avant‑garde tendencies. The demo blended atmospheric black metal with folk passages, ambient interludes, and experimental arrangements. The band’s use of Lithuanian language, poetic symbolism, and ritualistic chanting set them apart from their contemporaries. This period also saw the involvement of musicians who would later become central figures in the Lithuanian scene, contributing to the band’s evolving sonic palette.
Their sole full‑length album, Kai pilnaties akis užmerks mirtis (1997), is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Baltic avant‑garde metal. The album weaves together black metal aggression, folk instrumentation, choral arrangements, and atmospheric keyboards into a cohesive, dreamlike narrative. Its themes revolve around death, transformation, and the metaphysical journey of the soul, filtered through both Lithuanian and Egyptian mythological frameworks. Critics and underground listeners alike praised the album for its originality, emotional depth, and visionary scope.
The EP Sutemus skambÄ—s (1996) and later SielĹł pirklys (2026, posthumous) expanded the band’s mythos, offering additional glimpses into their evolving sound—dark, poetic, and steeped in ritual ambience.
Tragedy struck in March 2002 when Lord Ominous died in a sailing accident on Lake Michigan. His death effectively ended Anubi, as he had been the band’s creative nucleus. Members of Anubi and Nahash later formed Valefar, continuing some of the spiritual and atmospheric elements that defined Anubi’s legacy.
Today, Anubi is remembered as one of the most important and innovative Lithuanian metal acts of the 1990s. Their work remains influential for its bold experimentation, cultural depth, and the haunting, visionary presence of Lord Ominous.
Lord Ominous – Vocals (1993–2002)
Lady Sleep – Keyboards (?-2002)
Sadlave – Guitars, bass, programming (2001–2002)
Past members:
Rimas – Bass
Mr. Harm – Guitars
Thoth – Guitars, bass, programming
Renoferis – Drums (1992–?)
Skro – Guitars (1992–?)
God’s Pantheon – Demo (1993)
Mastabos dvelksmas – Demo (1994)
Dark Fire Dancing – Split (1994)
Mirties metafora – Demo (1995)
Sutemus skambės – EP (1996)
Kai pilnaties akis užmerks mirtis – Full‑length (1997)
Sielų pirklys – EP (2026)