Origin: Lithuania
Formed: 1993
Status: Active
Genre: Melodic Black Metal (early), Thrash/Black Metal (later)
Label: Ledo Takas Records
Themes: Anti‑Christianity, Evil, Blasphemy
Dissimulation is one of Lithuania’s longest‑running and most influential extreme metal bands, formed in 1993 in Anykščiai by Venomous (bass, vocals), Nekrofagas (guitars), Stabmeldys (drums), and Ĺ˝ilvinas (guitars, keyboards). Emerging during the formative years of the Baltic black metal movement, the band initially embraced a melodic black metal style before gradually evolving toward a harsher, thrash‑infused black metal sound that would become their trademark.
Their early years were marked by underground activity, culminating in the 1997 demo Juodo mÄ—nulio pasveikinta, a release that earned strong praise within the Baltic scene. This demo secured the band invitations to prominent regional concerts such as Death Comes, Black Metal, and Baltic Thunder, helping establish Dissimulation as a rising force in Lithuanian extreme metal. Prior to that, the band had already circulated a raw rehearsal tape in 1995, which captured their earliest melodic black metal direction.
The EP Miglose... (2000) marked a transitional period, showcasing a darker, more aggressive sound. Their debut full‑length Maras (2002), recorded at Phoenix Studio in Riga, Latvia, solidified their reputation. The album’s blend of sharp riffing, Baltic black metal atmosphere, and thrash‑driven energy earned them international underground attention and led to performances across Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.
Their second album Prakeikimas (2005), also recorded at Phoenix Studio, continued to refine their hybrid style. Rumors surrounding the album’s release circulated after several cancelled shows, adding to the band’s mystique. Prakeikimas was followed by Atiduokit mirusius (2008), their third full‑length, which maintained the same studio partnership and delivered a more mature, tightly executed sound. After 2008, the band became less publicly active, performing selectively and releasing information sporadically, contributing to their cult aura.
In 2012, the EP Iškelk ir išniekink appeared, followed by the split 77 in 2015 and the archival compilation Juodo mÄ—nulio archyvai in 2016, which preserved early recordings and rare material. Their most recent full‑length, Drakonas mirÄ—, tegyvuoja drakonas (2019), marked a powerful return, showcasing sharpened musicianship and a renewed commitment to their thrash‑black hybrid identity. The album reaffirmed their status as one of Lithuania’s cornerstone extreme metal acts.
Dissimulation’s legacy is further supported by numerous compilation appearances throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, reflecting their longstanding presence in the Baltic underground. Despite lineup changes—most notably the departure of founding vocalist/bassist Venomous in 2018—the band continues to operate, driven by the enduring partnership of drummer Stabmeldys and guitarist Nekrofagas.
Current
Past
Demos
EPs
Full‑lengths
Split
Compilation