Graveland

National Socialist black metal from Poland.

Graveland was formed as a solo project, inspired by Bathory, in 1992 Darken. He recorded and released the demos "Necromanteion" and "Drunemeton" in 1992 and the main themes were darkness, Celtic beliefs, mythology and the hatred against Christianity. Capricornus (drums) joined the band in 1993 and the same year the demo "In the Glare of Burning Churches" was recorded. The demo was inspired by the acts that had been commited in Norway.

In 1994 Karcharoth (bass) joined band and shortly after the demo "The Celtic Winter" was released. This was also the demo that got the band signed to the label No Colours. Same year they released their debut album "Carpathian Wolves". The following year "Thousand Swords" was released and around the same time Capricornus and Karcharoth start recordings for their own band called Infernum. But because of National Socialistic ideas the police started to investigate the band. Karcharoth has a nervous breakdown and accuses Darken and Capricornus of various things. He changes his political ideas and in 1997 he is thrown in a mental hospital.

During the tide of problems the demos "In the Glare of Burning Churches" and "The Celtic Winter" were rereleased as albums and in 1997 the third album was finally released and it was entitled "Following the Voice of Blood". It was followed by "Immortal Pride" in 1998 and a split, "Raiders of Revenge", done with Honor in 2000. Same year the sixth album "Creed Of Iron" was released. 2000 was also the year that Capricornus left the band. In 2001/2002 another two EP's, "Raise Your Sword!" and "Blood of Heroes", and albums, "Prawo Stali" and "Memory and Destiny", followed. In 2003 "The Fire of Awakening" was released.