The band ATARGATIS was founded
in the end of 1997. The term ATARGATIS is a derivate from Greek
mythology and represents the name of a Syrian love, fertility and
moon goddess.
After the first concerts in 1999
the debut EP "Alba Gebraich" was soon released. The
musical style of the band ranged from melancholic gothic and driven,
grooving doom parts to aggressive thrash and death metal. This
gloomy sound was completed by melodic keyboard passages, so that the
whole song structures would spread an "endtime atmosphere"
("Mittelbayerische Zeitung" newspaper, 03/23/1999).
The songs enclosed an emotional
cosmos which was placed between
- dream and reality,
- rage and mourning,
- courage and despair.
A lovely female voice
alternating with a dark atmospheric male voice, which already nearly
represented the all-determinating battle between good end evil,
completed the varying sound of ATARGATIS. The lyrics treated
subjects from fantasy and horror literature.
Due to massive band member
replacements however the band faced the challenge of a new beginning
at the end of the year 2001. The changes also affect the style of
the band, which now lets the female vocals come to the fore, while
the keyboard creates a very mystical atmosphere.
By the time much live experience
could be made. That way, the stage was shared with big scene acts
such as Agathodaimon, EverEve, Disbelief, Die Apokalyptischen
Reiter, Westwerk, Cryptic Wintermoon, Darkwell, Ashes You Leave,
Evenfall or Deep Inside Myself, and festivals were played with Doro,
Tankard, Holy Moses, Night In Gales, Powergod, Iron Savior, Châlice,
Grave, Defleshed, Haggard, Metalium, Hypnos, Gurd, Lacrimas
Profundere or Profanity.
You
can visit ATARGATIS' site here:
http://www.atargatis.net
