Asguard: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Iron Maiden
• Behemoth
• Darkthrone
• Yngwie Malmsteen

Formed:

Jan 1, 1996 in Mogilev, Belarus

Genres:

Rock Music, Metal Rock Music

Not to be confused with numerous worldwide heavy metal outfits named Asgard (there's one in Holland, one in Canada, one in Germany, and on and on), the band whose name is spelled Asguard with a "U" hails from the city of Mogilev, in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus. Initially formed as Ancient Castle, in 1996, by vocalist/bassist Alexander Afonchenko, lead guitarist Andrey Tselobenok and rhythm guitarist Alexander Krotov, the soon to be renamed Asguard complemented its lineup with drummer Sergey ‘Dead' Tselobenok before recording their first set of death metalbased demos. A deal with local metal label Fatal Ecstasy saw these released throughout Eastern Europe, and, after replacing Krotov and ‘Dead' with Oleg Maslakov and Yuriy Yurchenko, respectively, Asguard completed their debut album Summis Desiderantes Effectibus in 2000. This was followed by 2003's more black metalflavored Wikka EP, and, in 2004, another fulllength excursion under the name of Black Fire Land, after which Asguard's new record company, California's This Dark Reign, decided to rerelease Wikka with the band's early demos as bonus cuts.

- Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide