Biography
AZAGHAL was formed in 1995 by guitarist Narqath and drummer Kalma (later known as Vrtx and V-Khaoz). Early on the band was called Belfegor, but the name was changed to AZAGHAL (because of Belphegor from Austria) when Varjoherra joined the horde as a vocalist in 1997. First demo was recorded shortly after that in late 1997. Two more demos ("Noituuden Torni" and "Kristinusko Liekeissä") were recorded in 1998, as well as the first EP "Harmagedon" which was released by Aftermath Music.
The debut full-length album "Mustamaa" was released in summer 1999 by Melancholy Productions (later known as ISO666). The album was originally released only on limit vinyl (300 copies), but was later re-released also on CD by ISO666. Only few months later the second full-length album was recorded, titled "Helvetin Yhdeksän Piiriä". The first two albums featured mostly re-recorded demo material, thus the quick space between the recordings and releases. "Helvetin Yhdeksän Piiriä" came out on Brazilian Evil Horde Records in December 1999.
The year 2000 saw the releases of couple of split CDs, "Helwettiläinen" EP and a collection of rare & demo tracks "Deathkult MMDCLXVI". In early 2001 JL Nokturnal (who had appeared on most of the earlier releases as a session member) joined AZAGHAL as a lead guitarist/bassist and they recorded the third album "Of Beasts and Vultures" in March 2001. After some delays "Of Beasts and Vultures" was finally released over a year later in spring 2002. After this album, a founding member and drummer V-Khaoz was kicked out of the band because of increasing conflicts both on an personal and musical level.
In 2002-2003 they recorded more material for split releases and signed a deal with already familiar Aftermath Music for the release of a MCD and a new full-length album. The result was the limited "Kyy" MCD and their most raw and nihilistic album to date, "Perkeleen Luoma". These two releases were also released as 2LP by Finnish Hammer of Hate. They didn't feel the need to find a new drummer at that time, so these releases were recorded with a drum machine to give the recordings colder and more unhuman atmosphere.
After nearly 10 years of existence and a very negative approach towards gigs, they finaly decided to start playing live in 2004, so TM Blastbeast (aka Teemu Mutka, ex-Deep Red, Nerlich etc.) was brought in to handle the drums. Their first live appearance was at the Under The Black Sun Festival in Germany in summer 2004 and since then they have continued playing random gigs.
Later in 2004 they signed with Avantgarde Music, and recorded their most diverse and complex album "Codex Antitheus" and in support of it they played a few more gigs in 2005. In 2006 they recorded their second album for Avantgarde Music, "Luciferin Valo". This album saw more of an back to basics approach both in simplified song writing and rawer production. After the recordings they repleced TM Blastbeast behind the drumkit with Chernobog (also in Kingdom of Agony).
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