The Meads Of Asphodel

The Meads of Asphodel are an experimental black metal band with pronounced medieval and Eastern influences from Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. The band was formed in mid 1998 by Metatron and Jaldaboath (aka James Fogarty - also of The Bombs Of Enduring Freedom, Ewigkeit, Old Forest, Jaldaboath), the stated aim being to "create Heavy Guitar based original Black Metal with Medieval/ Eastern influences and a lyrical concept derived from Christ's mortality, Biblical Apocrypha, Fallen Angels and Death". Their demo releases 'The Bemoaming of Metatron' and 'Metatron and the Red Serpent' gained them a good deal of critical attention in the underground metal press, even receiving mentions from such mainstream sources as Kerrang! magazine, and they soon signed to Supernal Music after the release of their widely acclaimed final demo The Watchers of Catal Huyuk. Their albums, particularly 2001's "The Excommunication of Christ" explore conceptual themes based around a unique (though common to Black Metal) and anti-Christian interpretation of the Bible and Apocrypha. (For example, the band's lyrics reject the concept of Jesus as a supernatural being). Despite a fluctuating line-up, the band continues to release well-received albums, the latest being 2005's "Damascus Steel". The band's most consistent feature is their use of often unusual guest musicians, most notable and regular of which are ex-Hawkwind members Huw Lloyd-Langton and Alan Davey, Sigh's Mirai Kawashima and a Rabbi.