Origin: Serbia
Formed: 2001
Location: Belgrade (early); later Serbia/Czechia
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
Status: Split‑up
Label: Folter Records
Themes: N/A
Murder was formed in 2001 in Belgrade by Kozeljnik, Sablast, and Adimiron, soon joined by vocalist Glad. From the beginning, the band aimed for a violent, aggressive fusion of black and thrash metal—fast, sharp, and steeped in the raw extremity that defined the early 2000s Serbian underground. Their first live appearance took place in Belgrade shortly after formation, establishing them as one of the more intense and uncompromising acts of the era.
The band’s initial run (2001–2003) produced early material and live activity, but internal and logistical issues led to a hiatus. In 2007, Murder was revived as an international project, with Czech multi‑instrumentalist Honza Kapák joining the core duo of Kozeljnik and Glad. This shift dramatically expanded the band’s sonic and geographic reach, linking the Serbian and Czech black metal scenes and bringing in musicians with deep roots in both regions.
Murder’s sound in this second era remained rooted in black/thrash aggression—razor‑sharp riffing, venomous vocals, and a relentless pace—but with a more refined, professional edge thanks to Kapák’s experience in bands like Master’s Hammer, Avenger, and Dark Storm. The band’s final known release, the EP King of Tyranny (2014), captures this matured sound: harsh, militant, and tightly executed.
Throughout their existence, Murder maintained strong ties to the Serbian black metal core—The Stone, May Result, Kozeljnik, Oculus—while simultaneously integrating Czech influences through Kapák and later live members like L’Hiver. Their compilation appearance with the track “Govor jezika zla” further cemented their place in the regional underground.
The band’s status after 2014 is unclear, and no official dissolution was announced, but activity appears to have ceased. Murder remains a notable chapter in the Serbian extreme metal lineage: a bridge between scenes, a vessel for some of the region’s most prolific musicians, and a testament to the harsh, uncompromising spirit of early‑2000s black/thrash.
Kozeljnik – Guitars
Kozeljnik, Oculus, Ophidian Coil, The Stone, May Result, ex‑Stone to Flesh, ex‑Disfigured
Glad – Vocals
The Stone, May Result
Honza Kapák – Bass, Drums, Guitars
Black Rain, Bohemyst, Master’s Hammer, Oculus, The Stone, ex‑Avenger, ex‑Dark Storm, ex‑Nargaroth, ex‑Judas Iscariot (live)
L’Hiver – Bass
Höllenpoetik, Winterblut, ex‑Kolac, ex‑Nargaroth
Demonetras – Guitars
May Result, ex‑The Stone, ex‑Bane (live)
INIMICVS – Bass
Cmpt, Ophidian Coil, ex‑Kolac, ex‑The Stone, ex‑Bombarder (live), ex‑Vehementer