The
project EPHEL DUATH was created in February 1998
with the precise intent of experimenting in the sphere of
extreme music. At the root of the group's name lies the
concept of a dark and fleeting sound: EPHEL DUATH is in
fact the mountain range that defends the kingdom of evil
in Tolkien's masterpiece. Initially the band started out
as a Duo, with Giuliano Mogicato (voice, guitar, sinth and
programming) and Davide Tiso (guitar), the only founding
member still in the line-up, both were eighteen at the time.
In October of the same year the demo tape 'Opera' is released;
6 tracks of extreme metal with symphonic traits which brought
the name of EPHEL DUATH to be compared with the style of
Limbonic Art and Emperor. At the end of 1999 the first discographic
contract was signed with Code666, at the time an emerging
Italian label known for its courageous decisions and opposition
to the general trend.
In
May 2000 the debut album 'Phormula' is released, produced
at the time by Riccardo Pasini, who then becomes a sort
of added band member. The 8 new tracks of this record make
it a highly ambitious and rich piece of work, distinguished
by a genuine research for originality in the choice of stylistics,
to emphasize one of the goals that still motivate the band
today: not to belong to any specific type of music or movement.
The critics reward their courage but the public's opinion,
and the need to classify, intrinsic with extreme metal,
place EPHEL DUATH together with 'Black metal Underground'
a label that the band will try very hard to eradicate during
the coming years. After the recording of Phormula, Giuliano
Mogicato leaves EPHEL DUATH due to personal and musical
incomprehension. Then follows the most difficult period
for the band, they remain inactive for approximately one
year and with only one actual member left.
In
the summer of 2001, Lee Barrett, founder of the label Candlelight,
launching label of Emperor and Opeth, shows an interest
in EPHEL DUATH after having heard a few mp3 on the web.
Then, a few weeks later, the English company Earache offers
them a long-term contract through their new trademark Elitist
of which the A and R is no other than Lee Barrett. In 2002
Earache/Elitist decided to add a few bonus tracks to 'Phormula';
change the title to 'Rephormula' and reprinted, this gave
Davide Tiso the chance to assemble a new line-up and start
from zero on a new album. At a first glance the new formation
may seem bizarre. The forty seven year old Davide Piovesan,
with a Jazz-Blues background, is the percussionist; at the
bass a very versatile Fabio Fecchio with experience in jazz,
pop, funky. Davide Tolomei who has a delicate and deeply
anguished timbre is the melodic voice. Determining factor
is the decision to assemble musicians with no extreme music
experience, therefore with an unconditioned approach. Last
but not least the frontman, Luciano Lorusso George, with
a Hardcore-Noise background, the only member, together with
Davide Tiso, with a solid experience in extreme music. In
the meantime it takes approximately one year to arrange
the pieces composed by Davide Tiso.
In
the summer of 2003 they start work in the studio with their
friend and producer Riccardo Pasini. After 3 months hard
work the band is rewarded with the album: 'Painter's Palette'
which is fundamental to their flying (re)start. Nine brand
new tracks which all reveal and emphasize the bands intention
of launching their own personalized sound. The outcome is
really quite fresh and impossible to classify. A marked
imprint of jazz is associated with a solid origin of extreme
music which translates into a sophisticated sound. The crossover
effect was avoided so that the distinct idea of a rich combination
would prevail. Even though this album was conceptually inspired
to underline the connection between sound and colour, the
Painter's Palette artwork is produced in stark black and
white, to represent Ephel Duath's desire to create colour
with sounds, in fact each track stands for a different chromatic
shade and it is the listeners mind that becomes the canvas.
The
band is awarded hundreds of positive reviews. Worthy of
note, is the vote of 5 'K's' of the British magazine Kerrang,
they wrote about the Painter's Palette saying: 'This is
what albums of the year are made of'. After the debut as
supporting band to Lacuna Coil, preparations continue for
the first live performances, a handful of dates in Italy,
including a festival with the Entombed and EPHEL DUATH's
debut in Great Britain together with Mistress. Davide Tolomei,
the melodic voice, leaves the group for personal reasons
just before EPHEL DUATH are to face their most important
live performance: the Norwegian Quart Festival. They leave
for Norway all the same, rearranging after only a few rehearsals
the entire set list. The stage is shared with personalities
such as Red Harvest and Cult of Luna. Then, during the summer
of 2003 two other important festivals follow: Brutal Assault
in the Czech Republic together with Necrophagist and November,
the Headway in Holland together with Sieges Even and Biomechanical.
And finally the debut in Germany, Trier, as headliner.
The
composition of the new album begins in Autumn. The bands
absence from the stage is interrupted by the Great Britain
mini tour, together with Locust and Beecher, and then another
festival in Norway, the Moxsty, together with Extol and
Mind Grinder, also a few dates in italy as supporting band
to Katatonia, Dillinger Escape Plan, Chimaira and Nasum.
Just before they start recording the new album, in December
2004, they receive an invitation to join the British Tour
with Dillinger Escape Plan and Poison the Well, 16 intense
dates, with the accompaniment of Federico Nalesso on the
trombone. In February 2005 they start recording the new
album 'Pain Necessary to Know' the most ambitious record
ever produced by the band. Riccardo Pasini as always at
the console. Immediately after recording the drums, Davide
Piovesan leaves Ephel Duath pleading economic, humanistic
and artistic problems.
After
months of hard work, in the summer of 2005, the album is
completed. Again nine tracks, and again extreme music with
a touch of jazz, however with a much more updated sound.
The concept of a song is put aside and the repetition of
the riff is nearly extinct. The songs resemble a long musical
suite in which the instruments and also the voice support
each other while constructing a soaring but solid architectural
sound. A fluctuating monolith. The artwork was entrusted
to the Norwegian duo Tryne Og Kim, who cooperate with Jester
Records, Ulver and Arcturus. The minimalism of the images
perfectly connect the title, lyrics and music. The cover
presents images of dirty water and medusa tentacles, the
creature that is symbolically associated with the title
of the album. 'You cannot claim to know a medusa if you
have never experienced its painful touch. You don't know
what's best for you if you have never experienced pain.
Pain is necessary to know'.
In
October 2005 the percussionist Andrea Rabuini joins the
EPHEL DUATH for the promotion of their album 'Pain Necessary
to Know'
Check
out the band's homepage for more detailed information and
to listen to some samples.
Band homepage
