Country of origin:
Australia
Location:
Geelong, Victoria
Status:
Active
Formed in:
1995
Genre:
Symphonic/Melodic Black Metal
Themes:
Horror, Dark fantasy, Anti-Christianity, Mythology
Current label:
Unsigned/independent
Years active:
1995-present
Additional discography:
- "Total Fucking Sadness" (rehearsal demo 1997)
- "Gabrielle's Tears" (demo recorded in 1997 but not released until circa 2003 in digital format only)
Compilation appearance(s):
- "Snake Eyes in Paradise" on Underearthed 3 (2RRR, 2004)
Veil of Anguish is a symphonic/melodic black metal band from Geelong, Victoria, Australia, formed in 1995. They are known for combining atmospheric and melodic elements with raw black metal intensity, and their lyrical themes draw heavily on horror, dark fantasy, anti-Christian sentiment, and mythology.
Emerging in the Australian underground metal scene in the mid-1990s, the band originally played a more primitive style of black metal. Over time they broadened their sound, incorporating influences from thrash and death metal while adding keyboards to enhance the symphonic and atmospheric layers.
Their first demo, Howling Storms of a Full Moon (1995), was distributed worldwide on cassette and helped build early recognition. In 2003, they released the Spirits in the Flesh EP, followed by the Spiritual Entrapment single in 2004—both of which were well received within underground metal circles.
Veil of Anguish has performed sporadically since their inception, including gigs in their hometown and in nearby Melbourne. Despite long gaps between releases, they have remained active and independent, continuing to work toward a planned full-length album that had been in development but unreleased as of the mid-2000s.
The group has remained unsigned throughout their career, operating independently within the metal underground.
Musical style: Symphonic and melodic black metal with atmospheric and extreme elements, often compared to early Cradle of Filth for its gothic atmosphere paired with black metal aggression.
Discography highlights (selected):
Howling Storms of a Full Moon (demo, 1995)
Spirits in the Flesh (EP, 2003)
Spiritual Entrapment (single, 2004)
Current lineup includes Chris McEwin (vocals, bass), Chris McManus (vocals, guitars), Sam Hovey (keyboards), Justin MacDonald (drums), and Brad Ollis (vocals, guitars).
| Current | |
| Chris McEwin | Vocals, Bass |
| See also: Destruktor, Nemesium, Befallen, ex-Dawn of Retribution, Dirty Wasabi, Dominaeon, ex-Eskhaton (live) | |
| Chris McManus | Vocals, Guitars |
| See also: ex-Lamort | |
| Sam Hovey | Keyboards (1997-present) |
| Justin MacDonald | Drums (1998-present) |
| See also: ex-Eye of the Enemy, ex-Vendetta | |
| Brad Ollis | Vocals, Guitars (1999-present) |
| See also: AK-11, Malichor, Starfallen, Befallen, ex-Destruktor | |
| Past | |
| Andy "The Bastard" Shore | Bass, Vocals |
| Josh Lindsay | Keyboards (Session) |
| See also: ex-Lamort | |
| Derek Patterson | Drums (1995-1998) |
| Ben Mitchel | Keyboards (1997) |
| Ken Harvey | Keyboards (1997 |
| Howling Storms of a Full Moon | Demo | 1995 | |
| Rehearsal Demo 1996 | Demo | 1996 | |
| Spirits in the Flesh | EP | 2003 | |
| Spiritual Entrapment | Single | 2004 |