Astharoth

Technical thrash metal band from Bielsko-Biała, Poland; relocated in S. Francisco (California - USA) since 1990. Astharoth was formed in summer 1988 in Bielsko-Biała, featuring Jarek Tatarek on vocals/guitars, Dorota Homme on guitars, Witold Wirth on bass and Dariusz Malysiak on drums. In two months they managed to record two demos and reach the finals of band contests to play at the Metal Battle and Metalmania Festivals in 1989. They went on tour throughout their home country and started working on material for their debut record Gloomy Experiments. They were offered a record deal by Metal Master Records, which promoted the band on the western market. More festival dates followed like Ciechanowie Sthrashydle, also opening for Bulldozer in Poland, and in 1990 again again in Metalmania. The same year they moved to San Francisco, getting involved in the rich scene of the Bay Area. The rhythm section was replaced by former-Epitaph drummer Joe Zifcak and bassist Jason Silva. On their American adventure, Astharoth recorded a total of four demos: Self Hatred in 1990, Wisdom of the Blind in 1991, Limits in 1992 and Cycles of the Sphere in 1994. They opened for people like Fear Factory and Biohazard, playing in Californian festivals like One Step Beyond in Santa Clara, however attention and interest from record labels eluded them. Despite the decline of underground metal music in America and the massive success of fashionable grunge and alternative rock, the band decided to remain loyal to their roots – Astharoth disbanded in 1994 for obvious reasons with no rumors of a reunion to this day.