Mystic Circle

Mystic Circle
Origin	Ludwigshafen, Germany
Genres	Melodic black metal black metal blackened death metal
Years active	1992–1993 1994–2007 2021–present
Labels	Fireflash Atomic Fire Dockyard 1 Massacre Last Episode
Members	Graf von Beelzebub Aaarrrgon
Past members	Thorsten Schenke Dirk Meisner Agamidion Mephisto Baalsulgorr Isternos Ezpharess Xeron Maschtl Innerbichler Raziel Abyss Blizzard Necrodemon Dementum Vike Ragnar Astaroth

Mystic Circle is a German black metal band formed in Ludwigshafen, în 1992.

History

Mystic Circle was formed in 1992 in Ludwigshafen. The band originally played death metal and recorded a never-released rehearsal demo later that year. In 1993, the band split-up, but reformed in 1994 with a new line-up. They released several EPs before their debut LP was issued in December 1996. Following their 1998 release they toured with Marduk and Old Man's Child and played several large rock festivals. After their 1999 release Infernal Satanic Verses, their original drummer, Aarrrgon, left the group, and they had to use a drum machine to complete their tour.

By 2007, Beelzebub had left the band to pursue another long-awaited project called Gloomball. It was unknown at first whether Mystic Circle would replace Beelzebub and continue or call it quits, but Beelzebub stated on his personal Myspace page that Mystic Circle was "history".

In November 2021, Mystic Circle reformed and announced the release of their eponymous eighth studio album, the band's first in 16 years, which was released on February 4, 2022. In October 2022, the band announced their ninth album, Erzdämon, would be released in March 2023. In January 2023, the band released a new single, "The Scarecrow", and revealed the new album would be released on March 17.

Band members

Current members

• Graf von Beelzebub – vocals, bass guitar (1992–1993, 1994–2007, 2021–present); guitars, keyboards (2021–present)
• Aaarrrgon – drums (1992–1993, 1994–1999, 2021–present); guitars, keyboards (2021–present)

Former members

• Thorsten Schenke – guitars (1992–1993)
• Dirk Meisner – guitars (1992–1993)
• Agamidion – guitars (1994–1997)
• Mephisto – guitars, keyboards (1994–1997)
• Baalsulgorr – keyboards (1997–2002)
• Isternos – guitars (1997–1999)
• Ezpharess – guitars, keyboards (1998–2007)
• Xeron – guitars (1999)
• Maschtl Innerbichler – drums (2000)
• Raziel – drums (2000–2001)
• Abyss – drums (2001)
• Blizzard – drums (2001)
• Necrodemon – drums (2001–2005)
• Dementum – drums (2005–2006)
• Vike Ragnar – guitars (2006–2007)
• Astaroth – drums (2006–2007)

Discography

Studio albums

• Morgenröte – Der Schrei nach Finsternis (1996)
• Drachenblut (1998)
• Infernal Satanic Verses (1999)
• The Great Beast (2001)
• Damien (2002)
• Open the Gates of Hell (2003)
• The Bloody Path of God (2006)
• Mystic Circle (2022)
• Erzdämon (2023)

EPs

• Kriegsgötter II (2000)

Demos

• Dark Passion (1994)
• Von Kriegern und Helden (1995)
• Die Götter der Urväter (1996)

Compilation albums

• Unholy Chronicles (1992–2004) (2004)

External links

• Official MySpace profile
• Album "Drachenblut", italian interview (1998)
• Mystic Circle discography at MusicBrainz
• Mystic Circle discography at Discogs