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Graveworm
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Graveworm is an Italian symphonic/melodic black metal band from Brunico, South Tyrol, formed in 1992.[2] They have released ten studio albums.
Key Information
History
[edit]Before Graveworm even released a demo, they were signed by Serenades Records after a performance close to their hometown of Brunico, northern Italy. Graveworm was signed to Serenades Records in 1997, releasing their first EP, Eternal Winds, in that same year. During their first tour together with Crematory, Therion and Lake of Tears, the band promoted the album When Daylight's Gone.
In 1998, the EP Underneath the Crescent Moon was released, featuring Sarah Jezebel Deva (Cradle of Filth, Therion) in the track "Awake... Thy Angels of Sorrow". Graveworm also performed at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany with bands such as Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth and Vader.
The second album As the Angels Reach the Beauty was finished in 1999, and followed by a European tour with Agathodaimon. Scourge of Malice was released in 2001, which allowed the band their first headlining tour together with Dornenreich, Vintersorg and Darkwell. In 2002, they changed to the German Nuclear Blast label. At this point, Didi Schraffel (bass) left the band and Harry Klenk (guitars) was replaced by Eric Treffel. Treffel soon left the band in the same year and was replaced by Eric Righi on guitar.
Together with Righi, they produced Engraved in Black, which was finished in 2003, and enhanced with a feature of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion". Shortly after the release, Stefan Unterpertinger (guitar) quit and Lukas Flarer joined the band. Also, Harry Klenk, former guitarist and now bassist, re-joined the band.
In 2004, Graveworm played on the X-Mass Festival tour together with Destruction, Kataklysm, and many others. Martin Innerbichler (drums) took a break to study and was temporarily replaced by Moritz Neuner (previously the Darkwell and Shadowcast drummer).
The album (N)utopia was released in 2005.
Lukas Flarer (guitarist) later left the band for personal reasons, and was replaced by Orgler "Stirz" Thomas.
In 2006, Graveworm embarked on a North American tour with Kataklysm, Destruction, The Absence, and Vader.
On 10 April 2007, the promo of Graveworm's then-upcoming album Collateral Defect was leaked on the web. The album was launched in Europe on 25 May via Massacre Records and 5 June in North America through Nuclear Blast. It was produced by Andy Classen at Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany.
Graveworm's album Diabolical Figures was released in June 2009 and features Karsten Jäger as a guest musician.
In 2011, Graveworm released album Fragments of Death.[3]
In 2012, Thomas Orgler (guitar) and Sabine Mair (keyboard) quit and Stefan Unterpertinger (guitar) reunited with Graveworm.
On 19 June 2015, Graveworm released their 9th official studio album Ascending Hate.
On 28 April 2023, Graveworm released their 10th official studio album Killing Innocence.
The band is mentioned in Tony Vilgotsky's horror novel Shepherd of the Dead.
Members
[edit]
- Stefan Fiori – vocals (1992–present)
- Stefan Unterpertinger – lead guitar (1992–2003, 2012–present), keyboards (2012–present)
- Eric Righi – rhythm guitar (2001–present)
- Florian Reiner – bass (2011–present)
- Julian Niederkofler – drums (2024–present)
Former members
[edit]- Lukas Flarer – lead guitar (2003–2005)
- Thomas Orgler – lead guitar (2005–2012)
- Harry Klenk – rhythm guitar (1997–1999), bass (2001–2011)
- Eric Treffel – rhythm guitar (1999–2001)
- Didi Schraffel – bass (1997–2001)
- Maschtl Innerbichler – drums (1995–2004, 2005–2016)
- Moritz Neuner – drums (2004–2005)
- Sabine Mair – keyboards (1997–2012)
- Moe Harringer – drums (2016–2024)
Timeline
[edit]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- When Daylight's Gone (1997)
- As the Angels Reach the Beauty (1999)
- Scourge of Malice (2001)
- Engraved in Black (2003)
- (N)utopia (2005)
- Collateral Defect (2007)
- Diabolical Figures (2009)
- Fragments of Death (2011)
- Ascending Hate (2015)
- Killing Innocence (2023)
References
[edit]- ^ "Graveworm | Music Artist". MTV. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Graveworm – Music Biography, Credits and Discography : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
Since forming in 1992, Italy's Graveworm have unleashed a number of very sophisticated gothic-symphonic black metal albums...
- ^ "GRAVEWORM Preparing To Enter Studio". BlabberMouth. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012.
External links
[edit]- Official website

- Graveworm at AllMusic
- Graveworm discography at Discogs
- Graveworm discography at MusicBrainz
- Graveworm at Encyclopaedia Metallum
- Graveworm at Nuclear Blast
Graveworm
View on GrokipediaHistory
Formation and early years (1992–1996)
Graveworm was founded in 1992 in Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy, by vocalist Stefan Fiori and guitarist Stefan Unterpertinger, who shared a passion for extreme metal as local enthusiasts in the region. The initial lineup was completed by bassist Thomas Orgler and drummer Martin Innerbichler, forming the core group that shaped the band's foundational sound rooted in raw black metal without symphonic incorporations at the time.[6][10] During their early years, the band focused on intensive rehearsals and performing at underground venues near their hometown, honing a primitive, aggressive style influenced by the burgeoning European black metal movement. These local gigs allowed them to build a grassroots following among the metal community in South Tyrol, despite the niche appeal of the genre in the area. A pivotal performance close to Brunico caught the attention of industry representatives, setting the stage for their professional breakthrough, though no official releases occurred until later.[11][12] Key early members like Orgler and Innerbichler played crucial roles in establishing the band's rhythmic foundation and live energy, contributing to jam sessions that evolved from covers of punk acts like The Exploited to original black metal compositions. While specific lineup fluctuations in this period are not extensively documented, the quartet remained stable through 1996, emphasizing unreleased demo material recorded around 1993 that captured their nascent, unpolished aesthetic.[10]Debut releases and rising profile (1997–2002)
In 1997, Graveworm secured their first record deal with Serenades Records after delivering an impressive live performance near their hometown of Brunico, Italy, transitioning the band from underground demos to professional releases.[13] Their debut EP, Eternal Winds, emerged in September as a 7" vinyl single, comprising the tracks "Eternal Winds" (5:12) and "Tears from My Eyes" (4:12), which showcased raw black metal aggression with nascent keyboard atmospheres.[14] This was swiftly followed by their inaugural full-length album, When Daylight's Gone, released on October 6 via Serenades Records; the record was recorded and mixed at Soundbunker Studio in March and April 1997, then mastered at Newport Digital Mastering in Berlin.[15] Key tracks like "Awake," "Far Away," and "When the Sky Turns Black" highlighted the band's evolving sound, blending ferocious riffs with subtle symphonic undertones courtesy of new keyboardist Sabine Mair, who joined that year to layer in atmospheric depth.[7] Initial reception across European metal circles was encouraging, propelling the album's promotion through a debut tour alongside Crematory, Therion, and Lake of Tears, which helped establish their presence beyond Italy.[13] The band's momentum carried into 1998 with a pivotal appearance at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, where they shared the stage with prominent acts including Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, and Vader, marking a significant step in their rising visibility on the continental festival circuit. Building on this exposure, Graveworm released their second album, As the Angels Reach the Beauty, in 1999 through Serenades Records, introducing clearer melodic structures and pioneering orchestral integrations such as violin, cello, bagpipes, and a string quartet that enriched the symphonic black metal framework.[16][17] Tracks like "A Dreaming Beauty" and "Nocturnal Hymns" exemplified this shift, earning strong fan acclaim for the album's emotional resonance and gothic elegance, often hailed as a high point in their early catalog.[17] That year, they undertook their first extensive European tours, supporting groups like Mystic Circle, Stormlord, Suidakra, Agathodaimon, and Siebenburgen, which further solidified their semi-professional standing and drew growing audiences in Germany and beyond.[13] By 2001, with the lineup maintaining stability—anchored by vocalist Stefan Fiori, guitarists Stefan Unterpertinger and Eric Righi, bassist Didi Schraffel, drummer Martin Innerbichler, and Mair on keyboards—Graveworm issued Scourge of Malice via Serenades Records, emphasizing heightened brutality while retaining symphonic flourishes.[18][5] This release facilitated their inaugural headlining tour across Europe, joined by Vintersorg, Dornenreich, and Darkwell, which underscored their burgeoning reputation and closed this formative era on an upward trajectory.[13]Nuclear Blast era and tours (2003–2009)
In 2002, Graveworm signed a deal with the prominent German metal label Nuclear Blast Records, marking a significant step in their career that provided greater resources for production and promotion.[13][19] This partnership facilitated the release of their fourth studio album, Engraved in Black, on June 23, 2003. The album was recorded at Stage One Studio in Germany and co-produced by the band, featuring artwork by renowned fantasy artist Luis Royo. It achieved notable commercial success, remaining in the German charts for several weeks and enabling expanded opportunities such as appearances at major festivals including Wacken Open Air, Summer Breeze, and With Full Force, alongside a European headline tour. Following the album's release, founding guitarist Stefan Unterpertinger departed the band.[20][21][13] The Nuclear Blast era continued with the release of (N)utopia in 2005, produced by Andy Classen at Stage One Studio, which explored dystopian themes through its title—a play on "utopia" suggesting a nightmarish inversion—and lyrics addressing societal decay and inner turmoil. This album refined the band's symphonic black metal sound with more melodic elements, followed by Collateral Defect in 2007, also produced by Classen at the same studio. The latter delved deeper into dystopian motifs, with tracks like "Suicide Code" and "The Day I Die" evoking themes of existential despair, hate, and anti-religious sentiment. During this period, drummer Martin Innerbichler took a temporary break in 2004–2005 and was replaced by Moritz Neuner, before returning.[22][23][24] Graveworm's touring activity intensified during these years, reflecting their growing international profile. In 2004, they supported Kataklysm on a European tour, followed by a 2005 co-headlining run across Europe with Ensiferum and Communic. The band ventured to North America in 2006, joining Kataklysm, Destruction, Vader, and The Absence for an extensive trek that marked one of their earliest major crossings of the Atlantic. Additional European headline efforts in 2007 included a tour with Disbelief, In Slumber, and Deadborn, alongside festival slots such as Rock the Lake in Austria. These outings expanded their fanbase, though the demands of frequent long-distance travel and festival logistics tested the band's endurance and cohesion.[25][26][27] By 2009, following the conclusion of their Nuclear Blast contract after Collateral Defect, Graveworm transitioned to Massacre Records for their seventh album, Diabolical Figures, released on June 26 and again produced by Andy Classen at Stage One. This shift came amid ongoing lineup stability as the band navigated the transition from major-label support to independent operations while maintaining their core symphonic intensity. The album's release capped a prolific phase of stylistic refinement and heightened visibility, solidifying Graveworm's position within the European metal scene.[28][19][10]Later career and recent developments (2010–present)
Following the release of their 2009 album Diabolical Figures, Graveworm entered a transitional phase marked by independent releases and lineup adjustments. In 2011, the band issued Fragments of Death through Nuclear Blast Records, a 12-track effort recorded at Dreamsound Studios in Munich, Germany, which maintained their signature blend of gothic and death metal elements. This album represented a continuation of their established sound amid shifting label dynamics. Shortly thereafter, in January 2012, founding guitarist Stefan Unterpertinger rejoined the group after a decade-long absence, replacing Thomas Orgler on guitar and contributing keyboards alongside his guitar duties, bolstering the band's core stability.[29][30][31] The band supported Fragments of Death with European headline tours in 2012, including stops across Germany, the Czech Republic, and other countries, alongside festival appearances such as Ragnarök Festival. These outings helped sustain their live presence during a period of label uncertainty after parting ways with Nuclear Blast. By 2015, Graveworm signed with AFM Records, marking a shift to a more specialized metal imprint that aligned with their underground ethos. Their eighth studio album, Ascending Hate, emerged on June 19 via AFM, following a four-year recording hiatus that allowed for refined production at Dreamsound Studios; critics noted its return to more melodic structures reminiscent of the band's early work, with tracks emphasizing crunchy riffs and atmospheric depth over prior experimental leanings. The album's reception highlighted its solid crossover appeal for fans of symphonic black metal, though some found its pacing uneven across its 54-minute runtime.[32][33][34] The mid-2010s saw continued European touring, including runs supporting Ascending Hate that reinforced Graveworm's resilience in the live circuit despite smaller-scale operations compared to their Nuclear Blast era. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted momentum, halting tours and providing unexpected time for songwriting revisions on material that initially felt mismatched; the band described this period as a "jackpot" for creative reevaluation, though it delayed full album production until post-restrictions. In 2022, AFM released the single "Dead Words" as a harbinger, signaling renewed activity after seven years without a full-length. This culminated in Killing Innocence, their ninth studio album, on April 28, 2023, via AFM—a 10-track, 49-minute release featuring lush production, crunchy riffs, and occasional black metal ferocity, praised for its dynamic intensity and appeal to longtime fans while attracting newcomers through its gothic-death fusion. Reviews commended the album's refreshing evolution, with ambient intros and big sound establishing key context for the band's enduring impact.[35][36][37] Post-pandemic recovery included selective live engagements, such as a performance at Metal Gates Festival in Bucharest on September 28, 2024, where the band delivered sets blending classics like "Legions Unleashed" with newer material, drawing strong crowd response at the indoor event. The band completed a tour in China in April 2025, including a show at B10 Live in Shenzhen on April 22. Additional 2025 performances included the Funk Town Festival in Brunico on September 5, In Flammen Open Air in Torgau on July 10, and Gothoom Open Air in Žemberovce on August 28. In November 2024, drummer Moe Harringer departed due to shifting personal priorities, a change announced via social media that reflected the band's adaptive history. He was swiftly replaced by Julian Niederkofler in December 2024, who had previously filled in during tours and was selected as the top choice for seamless integration. These developments underscore Graveworm's persistence, navigating independent challenges while maintaining a core lineup and active output into the mid-2020s.[38][39][40][41][42][43]Musical style and influences
Genre characteristics and symphonic elements
Graveworm's core sound is rooted in melodic black metal, blending sub-elements of symphonic black metal with infusions from death and gothic metal genres.[1] This style emphasizes aggressive rhythms through blast beats and tremolo-picked guitar riffs, creating a foundation of high-speed intensity typical of black metal while prioritizing melodic structures over raw extremity.[44] The band's dual guitar setup delivers harmonic leads and interlocking riffs, supported by bass lines that closely follow the guitar patterns to maintain cohesion, while drums alternate between relentless blasts and dynamic tempo shifts to balance ferocity with musical flow.[45] Symphonic elements form a distinctive layer in Graveworm's music, achieved primarily through orchestral keyboards and synths that evoke strings, organs, and atmospheric textures, often enhanced with reverb for a gothic, immersive production.[46] Choirs and occasional string-like arrangements add dramatic orchestration, contributing to a melancholic and romanticized mood that elevates the extreme metal base.[45] Former keyboardist Sabine Mair's contributions included clean female vocals and choir parts, providing melodic contrast to the harsh, raspy male growls and shrieks during choruses and atmospheric passages.[47] These characteristics draw frequent comparisons to symphonic black metal pioneers like Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth, sharing their use of gothic drama and orchestral flair within melodic frameworks, though Graveworm maintains a more consistently somber tone.[48] The integration of death metal aggression via growled vocals and heavy riffing further distinguishes their sound, fostering an atmosphere of emotional depth without veering into overt theatricality.[45]Evolution and lyrical themes
Graveworm's musical evolution began in the early 1990s with raw death metal influences drawn from bands like Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death, as the band initially formed as a cover outfit before transitioning to original material.[49] Their 1997 debut album When Daylight's Gone marked a shift to melodic black metal infused with gothic and symphonic elements, featuring doomy riffs, melodic synths, and forceful vocals that established a mid-paced, atmospheric sound.[50] By their 1999 release As the Angels Reach the Beauty, the band embraced greater symphonic complexity, incorporating authentic string quartets, cellos, violins, and bagpipes to create mournful, epic interludes alongside raspy black metal vocals and gothic melodies.[51] This period solidified their signature blend, influenced by acts like Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth, with the Italian origins contributing a distinctive melodic flair to the typically harsh black metal framework.[6][52] In the mid-2000s, during their Nuclear Blast era, Graveworm reached a peak in symphonic orchestration, as seen in albums like Bloodsoul (2005) and Diabolical Figures (2009), where serene gothic atmospheres intertwined with aggressive riffs and dramatic keyboard layers for a melodramatic, immersive experience.[53] However, by the early 2010s, the band began refining their approach toward a heavier, more direct style, reducing reliance on keyboards—partly due to lineup changes—and emphasizing guitar-driven aggression in releases like (N)Utopia (2011), which represented a major pivot from symphonic serenity to intensified black/death metal dynamics.[53] This trend continued into the 2010s with Ascending Hate (2015), incorporating stronger death metal elements for a stripped-back, powerful sound influenced by Hypocrisy and Edge of Sanity, while maintaining dark atmospheres.[44][52] Their 2023 album Killing Innocence further evolved this, blending blackened riffs with contemporary production for a raw yet refined aggression, reflecting years of song refinement amid personal and global challenges.[54][55] Lyrically, Graveworm has consistently explored themes of darkness, death, and existential despair, often framed through anti-religious imagery and gothic romanticism that contrasts choruses of melancholic beauty with verses of infernal torment. Early works delved into dualities of good versus evil, heaven, and angels, as in When Daylight's Gone, portraying death as a transitional puzzle.[52] By their fourth album Engraved in Black (2003), themes shifted toward hellish domains, demons, and the triumph of evil, aligning with a more headbanging, live-oriented intensity.[52] Personal loss motifs emerged prominently, such as the instrumental Threnody on Scourge of Malice (2000), dedicated to a deceased friend killed in a traffic accident.[52] Later lyrics increasingly addressed real-world horrors, including wars, natural disasters, and humanity's self-destruction, as in Killing Innocence, where tracks like "In Honour of the Fallen" honor victims of historical conflicts and critique planetary harm through a parental lens of concern.[54] This progression underscores a conceptual move from fantastical moral battles to grounded anti-Christian despair and societal critique, enhancing the band's atmospheric depth.[56]Band members
Current members
The current lineup of Graveworm, as of 2025, consists of five core members who contribute to the band's symphonic black metal sound through their respective roles in composition, performance, and arrangements.[1] Stefan Fiori serves as the lead vocalist, a position he has held since the band's formation in 1992. Fiori is recognized for his versatile vocal delivery, incorporating both harsh growls and clean shrieks to convey the band's dark, atmospheric themes. He has been a primary songwriter alongside other members, shaping much of Graveworm's lyrical and melodic direction over three decades.[57][50][58] Stefan Unterpertinger handles lead guitar and keyboards, roles he originated in 1992 before a departure from 2003 to 2012, after which he rejoined and continues to perform. As a founding member, Unterpertinger is the primary songwriter, crafting melodic riffs and overseeing orchestral arrangements that integrate keyboards and symphonic elements into the band's heavy sound.[6][19][58][56] Eric Righi plays rhythm guitar, having joined in 2001 and remaining a consistent presence in the lineup. Righi contributes to the band's dual-guitar attack, focusing on harmony parts and lead solos that add technical depth and melodic interplay to tracks.[57][59] Florian Reiner provides bass guitar since 2011, anchoring the rhythmic foundation of Graveworm's compositions and delivering energetic performances during live shows. His steady low-end support complements the band's intricate guitar and keyboard layers.[60][61] Julian Niederkofler joined as the permanent drummer in December 2024, following prior experience as a fill-in player for the band. Niederkofler is noted for his precise execution of blast beats and dynamic drumming style, enhancing the intensity of Graveworm's extreme metal rhythms.[1][19][41]Former members
Sabine Mair joined Graveworm in 1997 as the band's keyboardist and provided backing vocals until her departure in 2012 due to personal reasons.[62][29] Her contributions significantly shaped the band's symphonic elements, incorporating atmospheric keyboards and female vocal layers that defined early releases like When Daylight's Gone (1997) and As the Angels Reach the Beauty (1999).[15] She also co-wrote several tracks on Killing Innocence (2001), enhancing the gothic black metal aesthetic.[63] Didi Schraffel served as bassist from the band's formation in 1992 until 1997, contributing to early demo recordings and the debut EP Eternal Winds (1997).[1] His work underpinned the raw, death metal-influenced sound of Graveworm's pre-label era. Lukas Flarer handled guitar duties from 2003 to 2005, delivering aggressive riffs that propelled the melodic black metal direction on albums like (N)Utopia (2005).[1][64] His playing added dynamic leads and harmonic depth to tracks, helping during the band's Nuclear Blast era. Thomas Orgler served as lead guitarist from 2005 to 2012, infusing melodic elements into albums including Collateral (2007).[1][65] His riffing and solos supported the band's touring phase, adding technical flair to symphonic black metal tracks. He departed for personal reasons. Martin Innerbichler (also known as Maschtl Innerbichler) played drums from 1995 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2016, shaping the band's initial aggressive and raw percussion framework in the mid-1990s.[1] As a founding-era member, he drove the rhythmic intensity on early outputs including When Daylight's Gone (1997) and As the Angels Reach the Beauty (1999), later supporting the heavier production on albums like Scourge of Malice (2003).[15] Moe Harringer performed on drums from 2016 to 2024, managing intricate blast beats and patterns that bolstered the band's modern death-black hybrid sound on releases such as Ascension (2018) and Monsters Within (2020).[66] He departed in November 2024, citing a shift in personal priorities after contributing to live performances and studio efforts during Graveworm's AFM Records phase.[40] Harry Klenk played rhythm guitar from 1997 to 1999 and bass from 2001 to 2011, providing foundational rhythm support across multiple albums and tours. Eric Treffel contributed guitars from 1999 to 2001, adding to the band's evolving sound during the late 1990s transition. Moritz Neuner served as live drummer from 2004 to 2005 during Innerbichler's break.Timeline of lineup changes
The lineup of Graveworm has seen several changes since its inception, primarily involving guitarists, bassists, and drummers, with vocalist Stefan Fiori remaining constant.| Year | Event | Affected Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Formation of the band with Stefan Fiori, Stefan Unterpertinger, Didi Schraffel, and early drummers. | Vocals, guitars, bass, drums |
| 1997 | Sabine Mair joins the band; Harry Klenk joins on guitar. | Keyboards, guitars |
| 1999 | Didi Schraffel leaves; Eric Treffel joins on guitar; Harry Klenk shifts to bass in 2001. | Bass, guitars |
| 2001 | Eric Righi joins the band. | Guitars |
| 2003 | Stefan Unterpertinger leaves. | Guitars |
| 2005 | Lukas Flarer leaves; Thomas Orgler joins on guitar. | Guitars |
| 2011 | Florian Reiner joins the band on bass; Sabine Mair and Thomas Orgler depart in 2012. | Bass, keyboards, guitars |
| 2016 | Martin Innerbichler leaves; Moe Harringer joins on drums. | Drums |
| 2024 | Moe Harringer departs in November; Julian Niederkofler joins in December; Stefan Unterpertinger rejoins earlier in 2012. | Drums |