Beherit

Beherit is a Finnish black metal band from Rovaniemi. The band was formed in 1989 by Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance (Marko Laiho), Demonic Fornication (Jari Vaarala) and Sodomatic Slaughter (Jari Pirinen), to perform "the most primitive, savage, hell-obsessed black metal imaginable". According to a source, "Beherit" is a Syriac word for a devil. Through their uncommercial music, visuals, and live performances, the band attracted a cult following. Besides the "raw" sound, the band has an avant-garde side and an emphasis on atmosphere. Beherit are regarded as genre pioneers.

Beherit released one album and many demos and compilations of minimalistic black metal. They disbanded after the 1993 album Drawing Down the Moon, considered a genre classic. Frontman Laiho continued as a solo project and released two albums under the band's name, H418ov21.C in 1994 and Electric Doom Synthesis in 1996. These albums are categorized as dark ambient. Although completely electronic, the albums carried the band's black metal atmosphere. Original members Nuclear Holocausto and Sodomatic Slaughter reformed the band in 2008 with new members Ancient Corpse Desekrator and Abyss.