Bellum is a one‑man symphonic death/black metal project from Arequipa, Peru, active since 2009 and led exclusively by the multi‑instrumentalist Benedikktion (Gustavo Banda). The project blends symphonic black metal, death metal, and dark ambient, drawing on themes inspired by Lovecraft, Nietzsche, Crowley, evolution, and the survival of the strongest. Bellum’s music is characterized by dense atmospheres, occult overtones, and a solitary creative vision that runs through every release.
Bellum was founded in 2009 as Benedikktion’s personal outlet after years of involvement in Peruvian underground acts such as Fosa ComĂşn, Non Serviam, Algor Mortis, and later In Articulo Mortis and MegaTherion. His long history in extreme metal shaped Bellum’s sound: raw yet symphonic, aggressive yet atmospheric.
The project’s identity is built around:
All music and lyrics across Bellum’s discography are written and performed solely by Benedikktion, reinforcing the project’s introspective and uncompromising nature.
Bellum’s debut album, self‑released in a limited run of 33 copies, established the project’s core sound: symphonic death/black metal with occult and cosmic themes. Tracks like Antichrist, Dreaming at Darkness, and Cosmic Alchemy showcase long, atmospheric compositions with ritualistic pacing.
A continuation of the project’s early style, expanding on the themes of conflict, metaphysics, and inner transformation.
Released by Odium Proclamationis Records, this compilation reissued the material from The Dawn and Casus Belli, making the early works more widely available in a limited edition of 300 copies.
Across these releases, Bellum maintains a consistent aesthetic: long-form compositions, symphonic keyboards, and a philosophical darkness rooted in individualism and esoteric thought.
According to Metal Archives, Benedikktion (Gustavo Banda) performs all instruments on every Bellum release, including guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and keyboards. His broader career includes roles in numerous Peruvian extreme metal bands, contributing bass, guitars, and full instrumentation across decades of underground activity.
This background gives Bellum a technical foundation and a sense of continuity with Peru’s long-running extreme metal tradition.
Bellum’s lyrics and atmosphere revolve around:
These themes align Bellum with the darker, more esoteric wing of South American black metal, where metaphysics and occult philosophy often merge with extreme soundscapes.
Bellum occupies a niche but respected place in Peru’s underground:
Its limited releases, especially the 33‑copy debut, have become underground curiosities, valued by collectors of Peruvian extreme metal.
| Benedikktion | All instruments (2009-present) |
| See also: In Articulo Mortis, MegaTherion, ex-Algor Mortis, ex-Fosa Común, ex-Non Serviam | |
| The Dawn | Full-length | 2010 | Â |
| Casus Belli | EP | 2011 | Â |
| Casus Belli... The Dawn | Compilation | 2015 |