Country of origin: Lithuania
Location: Vilnius (early); Bolton, Greater Manchester, England (later)
Status: Active
Formed in: 2007
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Silver Key Records
Years active: 2007–2015, 2023–present
Sanctophoby is a long‑running Lithuanian black metal project founded in Vilnius in 2007 and later relocated to the United Kingdom. Known for its raw, abrasive sound and ritual‑focused aesthetic, the band operated steadily through the late 2000s and early 2010s, releasing a series of demos, splits, and underground recordings that circulated widely in the Baltic and Eastern European black metal scenes.
The project’s early years (2007–2011) were marked by a rapid succession of releases, including the split Demonic Blessings (2008), the demo Sub Umbra Alarum Tuarum Sathanas (2009), and several collaborative splits with other raw black metal acts. These recordings established Sanctophoby’s identity: lo‑fi production, harsh vocals, and a focus on ritualistic atmosphere. A rehearsal titled Rape the Mother of God (2009) also circulated informally during this period.
From 2010 to 2014, Sanctophoby remained prolific, releasing multiple splits, demos, and the compilation Cum Malum Vincere Bono (2014), which gathered key material from the project’s first era. Their final release before hiatus was Abyssic Black Metal Ritual (2014), followed by the compilation Ragana (2015), which marked the end of the band’s initial active period.
After an eight‑year silence, Sanctophoby returned in 2023, now based in Bolton, England, with founder Andrius once again handling all instruments and vocals. The project continues to operate independently within the underground, maintaining its raw, solitary approach.
Sanctophoby also contributed a cover of “Von” to the digital compilation Legion of Von: Tributes to the Music of Von (2013), aligning them with a lineage of early raw black metal worship.
Saulius – Ambience
Haeiresis, Sisyphean, ex‑Inquisitor, ex‑Nyksta (live), ex‑Jane Doe Drowned, Terralienus, Velemara, ex‑An Axis of Perdition
Vovan – Drums
ex‑Division, ex‑Sisyphean, ex‑Regressive
Justas – Bass (2009–2010), Guitars (2009–2010)
ex‑Mincer Serenades, ex‑Moonrise, ex‑Stranguliatorius