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Country of origin:Italy
Location:Caltanissetta, Sicily (early); Milan, Lombardy (later)
Status:Active
Formed in:1996
Genre:Symphonic Black Metal
Themes:Occult philosophy, Suicide
Current label:Unsigned/independent
Years active:1993-1996 (as Immolator), 1996-present

Heretical is an Italian symphonic black metal band originally founded in 1993 in Caltanissetta, Sicily, under the name Immolator, before adopting the name Heretical in 1996.The early Immolator period produced several raw black metal demos steeped in occult and blasphemous themes, laying the groundwork for the band’s later evolution.

After the name change, Heretical quickly established themselves within the Italian underground. Their first release under the new moniker was Shub‑Niggurath (1997), followed by the full‑length De Occulta Philosophia (1998), which expanded their profile across Italy thanks to strong reception in the extreme metal press.Their style fused traditional black metal with symphonic and ritualistic elements, marked by harsh vocals, occult atmospheres, and a thematic focus on esoteric philosophy and spiritual darkness.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Heretical continued to refine their sound, releasing further material such as Ars Infera and maintaining a consistent presence in the underground scene. Their lyrical themes revolve around occult philosophy, inner torment, and metaphysical exploration, aligning them with the more esoteric wing of Italian black metal.

Originally rooted in Sicily, the band later relocated to Milan, Lombardy, while remaining active and independent.Despite lineup changes over the years, Heretical has preserved its identity as a long‑running, uncompromising symphonic black metal entity with deep roots in the Italian extreme metal tradition.

• Azmeroth Szandor Guitars (1996-present), Bass (2001-2014), Drums (2001)
  See also: ex-Afterglow, ex-Deathwork, ex-Thy Anthem Fades, ex-Ecatomb, ex-Immolator, ex-Krigere Wolf, ex-Schizo (live), ex-Aposthate
  Past
  Owl Bass (1996)
  See also: ex-Immolator, ex-Dark Secret
  Etar Drums (1996-1999, 2020-?)
  See also: ex-Ecatomb, ex-Immolator, ex-Thy Anthem Fades
  Lugdunum Guitars (1996-1997)
  Cimeries Vocals (1996)
  See also: Visthia, ex-Immolator, ex-Dark Secret
  Andromalius Vocals, Bass, Clarinet (1996-2000, 2007-2008)
  Armageddon Guitars (1997-1999, 2008-2009), Vocals (1997), Bass (2013-2015)
  See also: ex-Ecatomb
  Elwood Keyboards (1997-2003, 2020-?)
  C.L.R. Keyboards (1997)
  Rasez Drums (1999-2000, 2001-2007)
  See also: Three Nails, ex-Aposthate, ex-Immolator (live), ex-Dies Ire
  Lord Nefarius Vocals (2000-2004, 2008-2014)
  Nocturnal Fog Bass (2001-2002)
  See also: Exaltatio Diaboli, Mourning Soul, Orve, Pestferd, ex-Dark Secret, ex-Mørktår, ex-Netón, ex-The Third Eye of the Serpent, ex-Velchans, ex-Aposthate
  Er Bacam Keyboards (2002-2003)
  Midgard Bass (2003-2005)
  See also: ex-Afterglow, ex-Aposthate, ex-Thy Anthem Fades, ex-Ecatomb, ex-Inner Hate (live)
  Rob Abgorth Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards (2004-2006)
  (R.I.P. 2006) See also: ex-Ars Nefanda
  Orias Howard Keyboards (2007-2016), Vocals (2016-2018)
  See also: ex-Aposthate
  Arymon Drums (2008-2015)
  See also: Demon Spell, Griefbringer, ex-Brisen, ex-Haunted, ex-Schizo, ex-Serenades, ex-Sinoath, ex-Sulphur and Mercury, ex-Winged, ex-Zora
  Argus Szator Guitars (2012-2019)
  Andrea Janko Drums (2015-2017)
  See also: Kerasphorus (live), ex-Necrosphere, ex-Angel Death, ex-Impiety, ex-Starbynary, ex-Imposer, ex-Angelcorpse (live), ex-Mysterium (live), ex-Gorthaur's Wrath, ex-Cenotaph, ex-1ne Day
  Foras Ondöd Bass (2016-2019)
  See also: Bunker 66, Temptress, ex-Pulverized, ex-Resonance Room, ex-Schizo, ex-Serenades, ex-Spoilshroud, ex-Zora, ex-Hostile Reaction (live), ex-Immolator (live)
  Past (Live)
  Anthon Hamon Drums (2015-2016)
  See also: Necrospell, ex-Cold Aenima, ex-Demonia Mundi, ex-Ingrown

• Demo 1 Demo 1997
  Shub-Niggurath EP 1997
  De Occulta Philosophia Full-length 1998
  Blackicon (Daemonoath Version 1999) Single 1999
  Ars Infera Full-length 2001
  Biting Litany of Iacadiel (live) Single 2001
  Scenario of Ageronia - I . Perversion 2002 Single 2002
  De Praestigiis Daemonum EP 2004
  The Heretic (A Tribute to Possessed) Single 2005
  Schweißtuch - The Veil of Macabre Single 2007
  Dæmonarchrist - Pre​-​Production Demonstration I Anno 2008 Demo 2008
  Promo Anno 2008 Single 2008
  MMIX Rehearsal Demo Demo 2009
  Dæmonarchrist Single 2012
  Dæmonarchrist - Dæmon Est Devs Inversvs Full-length 2014 1 (98%)
  Iam Mors Regnat Split 2017
  Triptych Diaboli Split 2019
  Shub-Niggurath - Nigra Capra Silvae Cvm Mille Prolibvs Compilation 2021