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Background information
Origin	Italy
Genre(s)	Doom metal Black metal
Years active	1988 - present
Label(s)	Avantgardemusic
Website	Official Site
Members
M the bard Ossian Vlad Faun Dalamar

Opera IX was created in 1988 by Ossian. In 1990 they made the first demo tape "Gothik". After many line-up changes, the band reached a certain stability with Cadaveria's vocals, Ossian at guitar, Vlad at bass and Flegias at drums. The band's early "occult metal" was switched to a more atmospheric mix of Doom, Death, and Black metal. The second demo, which contained 4 'cult' songs, made the band known in the entire underground scene; Opera IX then received a contract for a 7" EP, which came out in 1993. The first 500 copies were sold out in only 2 months. In the meantime the band realized their first video "The Triumph Of The Death" contained 2 videos; the great success obtained pushed the band to include it on the merchandise, even if it was conceived only for promotion.

At the end of 1993, Silent Bard, a musician of classical backgrounds, joins the line-up. With his keyboards the band explores the new atmospheres, more ethereal and grim, belonging to "The Call of the Wood" - a full album out in 1995 under Miscarriage Records, containing 5 long songs: about 60 minutes of dark emotions to reach the most occult dimensions of human and superhuman existence, under the sign of pure obscurity and the first pagan footsteps. After the coming out with the cd, Opera IX changes the keyboard with a new member Triskent, who celebrates the traditions of the old pagan religion throughout the keyboards and guitar synth.

For the same label the Opera participates in "A Call To Irons" an Iron Maiden tribute album. The cover chosen by the band is " Rime Of The Ancient Mariner". Among the other bands Vital Remains and Absu. In April 1998 the second full-length album Sacro Culto is released by the Belgian label Shiver Records. The songs (six in total, for a duration of 70 minutes) are more epic and Black Metal compared to the earlier production, and the sound is a bit less contemplative. The keyboards are now played by Lunaris, replacing the previous keyboard player that was fired from the band because of 'ideologic misunderstandings'. The production comes out definitely better than that of "The Call of the Wood" both for sound quality and artwork. The cd is indeed presented in digipak format and a video is made for "Fronds of the Ancient Walnut". Finally in the year 2000 Opera IX sign to Avantgarde Music, a label that totally embraces the expectations of the band; then in January Opera IX records, at the Underground studios in Sweden, the third chapter of their history: "The Black Opera, Symphoniae Mysteriorum In Laude Tenebrarum," an emotional concept album of pure atmospheric and epic black metal with the best production thus far. The Black Opera had approximately 18,000 copies sold. In September 2001 Avantgardemusic reprints The Call of the Wood, finally remastered, with new cover artwork and two bonus tracks: "Rimes About Dying Stones" and "Born In The Grave".

Due to problems of musical and spiritual nature, Flegias and Cadaveria leave the band to form a more personal musical project; Opera IX rediscover, in Taranis' drums and Madras' vocals, the enthusiasm of old times and the philosophic-esoteric togetherness, a very important factor for the soul of the band. A new chapter unfolds in the story of Opera IX with the fourth album, entitled Maleventum, a concept about witchcraft and paganism, plunged in a much more aggressive and epic sound than the earlier works. The recording of Maleventum takes place in January 2002 at the Damage inc studios in Ventimiglia.

September 21, Madras and Taranis leave the band for several problems. In this time the Band was completing the agreement of the new album "Anphisbena".

The project Opera IX not only is a musical concept but a marriage of art and religion where a style of life prevails on the daily life of modern man. The Opera IX walks along the occult roads of the old pagan knowledge throughout meditation and rites. They explore the dark meanders surrounding the men, travelling through old legends, forgotten traditions and superstitions.... The real essence of Opera IX is hidden in their lirics and in the music they compose, nothing else is worth saying. About their believes, Opera IX honour the Celtic Gods and the powers of Nature, but, above all, they strongly believe in the power of their minds and spirits, in the energy inside everyone.

In December of 2003, Opera IX completes their new line up with "M The Bard" on vocals and "Dalamar" on drums.

Contents 1 Discography 2 Current members 2.1 Former members 3 External links

• Gothic (Demo, 1990)
• Demo 92 (Demo, 1992)
• The Triumph of Death (7" EP, 1993)
• The Call of the Wood (CD, 1995)
• Sacro Culto (CD, 1998)
• The Black Opera - Simphoniae Misteriorum in Laude Tenebrarum (CD, 2000)
• Maleventum (CD, 2002)
• Anphisbena - (CD, 2004)

• M The Bard - Vocals
• Ossian - Guitars
• Vlad - Bass
• Lunaris - Keyboards
• Dalamar - Drums

• Cadaveria - Vocals
• Madras - Vocals
• Marcelo Santos (Flegias) - Drums
• Taranis - Drums
• Silent Bard - Keyboards

• Official website