Origin: Germany
Formed: N/A
Genre: Atmospheric Death Metal
Status: Split‑up
Label: Ars Metalli
Themes: Not officially listed
Under Black Clouds was an atmospheric death metal band from Frankfurt an der Oder, emerging from a sequence of earlier incarnations that shaped its identity. The group first existed under the name Comfortable Gathering before internal changes led to the dismissal of their guitarist and a subsequent renaming to Inner Conflict in 1991. This phase marked the band’s transition toward a darker, heavier sound, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Under Black Clouds. Between late 1993 and early 1994, the band adopted its final name, reflecting a shift toward more atmospheric, melancholic, and doom‑laden death metal.
Their music combined the weight and aggression of early‑to‑mid‑90s German death metal with a somber, atmospheric edge. Under Black Clouds operated during a fertile period for the underground scene, and their sound aligned with the era’s raw production aesthetics, expressive growls, and brooding melodic passages. Despite remaining relatively obscure, they earned a cult following among collectors of 90s German metal due to their distinctive mood and the rarity of their releases.
The band released two full‑length albums: Dawn (1995), which showcased their transition from straightforward death metal into more atmospheric territory, and As Darkness Falls (1996), a darker and more refined work that emphasized mood, slow‑burning tension, and expressive vocal interplay. Both albums were issued through Ars Metalli, a label known for supporting underground German acts of the time. Their track “The Double Headstone” also appeared on the compilation Schrecken der Unterwelt Vol. I (1996), further cementing their presence within the regional scene.
Under Black Clouds disbanded sometime after 1997, with several members continuing in other underground projects. Though their discography is small, the band remains a noteworthy example of early German atmospheric death metal—raw, transitional, and evocative of a specific moment in the evolution of the genre.
Members passati e attuali
Last Known Lineup
Andreas Greupner – Vocals
Christoph Dobberstein – Vocals, Bass (see also: Bottled, Rost & Borke, ex‑Inner Conflict, ex‑Tiefenrausch)
Past
Rene Puhlmann – Drums (?-1996) (see also: ex‑Inner Conflict)
André Andrejew – Guitars (?-1996) (see also: ex‑Inner Conflict)
Simon Schmitt – Keyboards (?-1996)
Jörg Nicolaus – Vocals (?-1994) (see also: ex‑Inner Conflict)
Discography
Dawn – Full‑length (1995)
As Darkness Falls – Full‑length (1996)