Hortus Animae

Italy’s Hortus Animae (which means “garden from the spirit”) were formed in 1997 by Martyr Lucifer (vocals/bass), Shred Blast Hypnos (acoustic guitar), Bless (keyboards), and Thomas (drums). Getting an extremely theatrical feeling of burlesque to their gothic/dark metallic sonic amalgam, they documented their first demonstration, the spectacularly called an Abode for Soul Made Flesh, by using short-term second guitarist Larsa, after that adopted it with 1999’s The Melting Idols debut. Regional support gigs with Lacuna Coil and Napalm Loss of life, amongst others, ensued, as do various lineup adjustments before the introduction of fresh drummer Grom (ex-Ancient) for the documenting of their ambitiously symphonic second work Waltzing Mephisto, released in 2003.