DARKESTRAH formed in mid 1999 by Asbath.
The first demo, entitled ''Pagan Black Act'' was recorded
in December 1999. In December 2000 the second demo ''Through
the Ashes of the Shamanic Flames'' was recorded and released
through german label Curse of KvN Sadistic in 2003.
In February 2003 the debut album ''Sary
Oy'' was recorded, which gained a wide response worldwide
through NCR in 2004.
Great melodic parts were paired with traditional
instruments like Kyl-kyjak, Komuz or Sygyt. Female Black
Metal vocals and throat singing that created the athmosphere
of the spiritual shamanic people. Sary Oy lyrically brings
the ancient kyrgyz tales about three sisters of nature in
three songs. This record marked Darkestrah's as one of the
most interesting bands within the Shamanic Pagan Black Metal
genre.
In September 2004 limited MLP ''The Way
to Paganism'' was recorded and released on NCR in 2005.
In August 2005, ''Embrace of Memory'' the
second album was recorded in Blue House Studio, and the
final work, ''Embrace of Memory'', was released in October
2005.
In January 2007 Darkestrah realeased new
album "Epos". This time the band changed studio,
and now this is the "Kick the Flame Studio'' (studio
of the member from the band Disillusion). This album included
one magic long Black Metal composition at the medium tempo
with some acoustic tunes and the atmospheric feel. This
''Epos'' is completely dedicated to our beloved lake Issyk-Kul',
which is located in Central Asia. There are more than ten
legends, histories, myths, fairy tales about this lake.
Every aspect of Epos signifies a spiritual, almost pre-historic
journey. The album is thick with Pagan themes, but it is
not done in a way which seems almost cliche in Black Metal
these days. Darkestrah’s approach to pagan expression this
time has been one of using subtlety to convey power of expression.
In March 2007 Darkestrah have ended relationship
with NCR.
In April 2007 the band signed to US label
Paragon Records.
March 2008, DARKESTRAH is back! Await a
cruel return...with ''The Great Silk Road''
Current Line-Up:
Kriegtalith - Vocals
Asbath - Drums
Anti - Guitars
Visc - Bass
Resurgemus - Synths
Sharthar - Cello, Keyboards (only studio)
Past members:
Oldhan - Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Tartar - Guitars
Anastasia - Keyboards
Shagan - Guitar