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Septicflesh

 

Biography

Septicflesh are one of the most distinctive and architecturally ambitious forces in Greek extreme metal, known for merging symphonic orchestration, death‑metal intensity, and mythological/occult themes into a monumental, cinematic sound. Emerging from Athens in 1990, they helped define the Mediterranean branch of atmospheric and symphonic death metal, evolving from underground cult status to international recognition under Nuclear Blast Records.

Origins and Early Formation (1990–1993)

Septicflesh were founded in Athens, Attica, in March 1990 by Sotiris Vayenas, Spiros “Seth Siro Anton” Antoniou, and Christos Antoniou. Their debut EP, Temple of the Lost Race (1991), introduced their early blend of death metal, atmospheric textures, and mythological themes, establishing them as a rising force in the Greek scene.

During this period, the band operated under the name Septic Flesh, a spelling they kept until their first split in 2003. The name change to Septicflesh was later confirmed by Christos Antoniou, who stated it was chosen for aesthetic reasons while retaining the same meaning.

Rise of the Symphonic Identity (1994–2003)

Their first full‑length album, Mystic Places of Dawn (1994), marked the beginning of their ascent. It was followed by ΕΣΟΠΤΡΟΝ (1995), and then the pivotal Ophidian Wheel (1997), which introduced soprano vocalist Natalie Rassoulis and pushed the band decisively toward a symphonic and ritualistic sound.

Across the late 1990s and early 2000s, albums such as:

expanded their palette with gothic, industrial, and orchestral elements, while maintaining lyrical themes rooted in fantasy, mythology, occultism, and Lovecraftian lore.

Despite growing popularity, the band disbanded in 2003 to pursue personal projects. During this hiatus, members Christos, Spiros, and Fotis performed in the symphonic/metalcore project The Devilworx.

Rebirth and Symphonic Dominance (2007–Present)

Septicflesh reunited in 2007, fully embracing a grandiose symphonic direction. Their comeback album, Communion (2008), redefined their sound with massive orchestral arrangements, a direction further refined on:

These works solidified their reputation for integrating full classical orchestras and choirs into extreme metal with architectural precision.

Their 2022 album Modern Primitive continued this evolution, merging ancient ritualistic aesthetics with modern symphonic death metal, reinforcing their status as one of the genre’s most innovative bands.

Musical and Thematic Identity

Septicflesh’s sound is defined by:

Their visual aesthetic—largely shaped by bassist/vocalist Seth Siro Anton, an internationally recognized visual artist—mirrors their music’s monumental and mythic character.

Current Status

The band remains active, based in Athens, and signed to Nuclear Blast Records. Their lineup continues to revolve around the founding trio, supported by drummer Kerim “Krimh” Lechner and guitarist Dinos “Psychon” Prassas.

Septicflesh today stand as one of Greece’s most internationally acclaimed metal acts, known for their ability to merge classical composition with extreme metal in a way few bands have matched.

 

Split-up in 2003 to alleviate personal issues, but reunited in late 2007. During those years, Christos, Spiros, and Fotis played in the metalcore/symphonic rock group The Devilworx.

The name change to "Septicflesh" was confirmed by Christos Antoniou in a Lords of Metal interview. The reason behind the decision was that it looked better, although the meaning was the same.

The band used a drum machine on their first few albums (until Revolution DNA), as confirmed by Sotiris Vayenas.

Christos Antoniou and Fotis Benardo are the owners of the DevaSoundz Studio in Athens, Greece.

Compilation appearances:
- "Morpheus the Dreamlord" on Metal Explosion Vol . 1 (hand-numbered cassette, 1994)
- "(Morpheus) the Dream Lord" on Thy Will Be Done (Until Dawn, cassette, 1994)
- "Return to Carthage" on Death ... Is Just The Beginning III (Nuclear Blast Records, 1994)
- "Return to Carthage" on Infinite Visions of Hell (Ground Zero Entertainment, 1994)
- "Burning Phoenix" on Nuclear Blast Soundcheck - Series - Volume 4 (Nuclear Blast Records, 1995)
- "Crescent Moon" on Falling Moons 1st Cycle (Blême Euryale Records, cassette, 1995)
- "Esoptron" on Das Heilige Blut (Dunklen Kunst, cassette, 1995)
- "Woman of the Rings" on Hammer Holocaust II (Metal Hammer, 1996)
- "Geometry in Static" on Metal Explosion Vol. 3 (Adipocere Records, 1996)
- "Woman of the Rings" on Hammer Holocaust Vol II - Summer '96 (Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal, CD, 1996)
- "On the Topmost Step of the Earth" on Mystic Art Vol. 2 (Mystic Art, 1997)
- "The Crypt" on Hard Rock Le CD De L'Extreme N°3 (Hard Rock, 1997)
- "The Ophidian Wheel" on Under The Moon (Doom-Gothic Compilation '97) tape (Moon Records, 1997)
- "Phallic Litanies" on Necropolis Distribution Sampler, Volume 1 (Necropolis Records, 1997)
- "Phallic Litanies" on Necropolis Records - Distribution Sampler (Necropolis Records, 1997)
- "Shamanic Rite" on Hard Rock N°2 (Hard Rock, 1997)
- ''The Last Time" on As We Die For... Paradise Lost (Tribute to Paradise Lost) (Holy Records, 1998)
- "Marble Smiling Face" on Hard N' Heavy Vol. 5 (Hard N' Heavy, 1998)
- "Marble Smiling Face" (rough mix) on Warzone III (Metal Invader, CD, 1998)
- "Little Music Box" on Warzone XII (Metal Invader, 1998)
- "The Eldest Cosmonaut" on Pit Sampler #1 (Necropolis Records, 1998)
- "Return to Carthage" on In the Cave of Pan (Black Trip Tapes, cassette, 1998)
- "Marble Smiling Face" on Dark Rhapsodies (Metal Hammer, 1998)
- "Mystic Places of Dawn" on Revolution Of The Dead Souls ‎(1998)
- "Revolution" on Metal Explosion N°14 (Metallian Editions, 1999)
- "Scienze" on Psychosonic! Vol.7 (Psycho!, 1999)
- "Science" on Hard Rock #32 (Hard Rock, 1999)
- "At 666 Days" (with Misanthrope) on Hard Rock Extrême N°7 (Hard Rock, 1999)
- "Tartarus" on Goths' Paradise II - The Black Book Compilation (Orkus, 1999)
- "Little Music Box" on Enred Compilation Vol: 1 (2000)
- "Virtues of the Beast" on Metallian Sampler N°27 (Metallian Editions, 2002)
- "Virtues of the Beast" on Hell Awaits CD Sampler N° 15 (Hell Awaits, 2003)
- "The watchers" on Le Sampler-Rom RockHard N°19 (Rock Hard, 2003)
- "Virtues of the Beast" on Spark Poster Gallery Volume 4 (One & One Company Spol. s r.o, 2003)
- "Magic Loves Infinity" on Psychosonic! Volume 42 (Psycho!, 2003)
- "Virtues of the Beast" on Mystic Art Vol. 22 (Mystic Art, 2003)
- "Virtues of the Beast" on A Sangre Y Fuego #02 (GOI Music, 2003)
- "Magic Loves Infinity" on Hard Rock #69 (Hard Rock, 2003)
- "Science" on Holy-er Than Thou 12 (Holy Records, 2008)
- "Mystic Places of Dawn" on Holy-er Than Thou 12 (Holy Records, 2008)
- "Annubis" on Zero Tolerance [ZTAUDIO019A / ZTAUDIO019B] (Zero Tolerance Magazine, 2CD, 2008)
- "Anubis" on Le Sampler RockHard #75 (Rock Hard, 2008)
- "Communion" on Hellfest Open Air 2008 DVD (Metallian Editions, 2008)
- "Lovecraft's Death" on Brutal Assault Open Air Vol. 13 (Shindy Productions, 2008)
- "Annubis" on Soundcheck #99 (Close-Up Magazine, 2008)
- "Anubis" on Rock Tribune Free CD Sampler 72 (Maart 2008) (Rock Tribune Magazine, 2008)
- "Lovecraft's Death" on Hard Rock Sampler 11 (Hard Rock, 2008)
- "Titan" on Le Sampler RockHard 144 (Rock Hard, 2014)
- "Order of Dracul" for Hardrock Mag #47 (Hard Rock, 2014)
- "Dante's Inferno" on Zero Tolerance Audio 80 (Zero Tolerance Magazine, 2017)
- "Persepolis" on War Is Upon Us (Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal, 2018)
- "Return to Carthage" on Death ... Is Just The Begining III, Vol. 2 Tape
- "Erebus" (demo version) on Hellenic Metal
- "Marble Smiling Face" (advance release rough mix) on Metal Invader's Warzone

Members

Discography