BANDINFO

From left to right: Nils (drums) / Martin (guitar) / Phil (vocals & guitar) / Olly (bass)

BIOGRAPHY Ophis [greek: snake] converge monolithic, depressive and nihilistic Doom Metal with pieces of raw, aggressive old school Death Metal as an outlet for its members’ very own negative emotions. Rooted in the musical vein of the early 90s, Ophis’ music yet maintains an undeniable actuality and an authentic atmosphere of despair and rage, far beyond any mainstream or commercial approach. The band was originally formed as a four-piece in late 2001 but remained unheard due to an early split. In 2002, founder Philipp resurrected Ophis fom the dead and recorded the Demo-CD “Empty, Silent And Cold”, performing all instruments, vocals and production on his own. The CD gained huge success in the international underground Metal press and sold out quickly. Ophis re-emerged as a full band again in late 2003, releasing the MiniCD “Nostrae Mortis Signaculum” one year later on Cxxt Bxxcher Records, which positioned the band among the mainstay of the German Doom Metal scene and offered the chance to write a song for the soundtrack of the download-videogame “Hellraider II”. In early 2007 Ophis signed to Imperium Productions and released the highly acclaimed debut full-length “Stream Of Misery” in October that year. The album recieved enthusiastic reviews and high-scores in Magazines all over the world. "Withered Shades", the second full length album, is their debut for Russian first-class Doom Metal label Solitude Productions to which they signed in 2009. The album was released in July 2010. Being even gloomier and harsher than the first album, Ophis continue their struggle through the maelstrom. To this date, Ophis have played shows and festivals in several European countries, performing and touring with high-profile acts such as Skepticism, Evoken, Swallow The Sun, Mourning Beloveth, Mournful Congregation, Esoteric, Pantheist, Primordial and many others. The serpent is crawling among you.... INFO-TEXT by Imperium Productions for the "Stream Of Misery"-Release, 2007 Vast endlessness awaits in the dark maelstrom of woe you are doomed to plunge into when inserting “Stream Of Misery”, the first full-length album by German death/doom hopefuls OPHIS, into your disc player. An aural, almost one hour long down-tempo assault graced with the intensity of unstoppable increasing fright consumes the listener and by combining influences of early MY DYING BRIDE, old KATATONIA, the deadly shredding of ASPHYX, and the forlorn desolation of more recent acts like EVOKEN, OPHIS certainly present a stunningly fresh and almost peerless effort. With lyrics originating from the wellspring of depression (“Dead Inside”), the obscure depths of Sumerian mythology (“Pazuzu”), and suicidal thoughts (“Thy Flesh Consumed”), OPHIS prove they have travelled deeper and deeper into the darkness to painfully bear a death/doom masterpiece that stands out of a mass awash in gothic glam and rocking stoner vibes and convinces with inspired song-writing, merciless heaviness, haunting melodies as well as cavernous growls and screams torn straight from the soul. Formed in 2000 by Rain Of Ashes drummer Philipp Kruppa (guitars/vocals) OPHIS released a debut demo two years later, followed by the “Nostrae Mortis Signaculum” MCD (2004), which received massive underground acclaim and ultimately lead to signing to Imperium Productions for the band’s debut album. “Stream Of Misery” showcases OPHIS’ rapid development to one of the most promising acts in a genre that is hard to master, but the quartet from Hamburg surely does for they have been truly touched by the hand of doom! So, let yourself fall into the never ending “Stream Of Misery” and do not be reluctant, you shall enjoy your suffering!