The history of DAWN OF WINTER started back in the summer of 1990 when doomheads Gerrit Philipp Mutz and Oliver Schramm started a pure doom band called CEMETERY. They were influenced by the likes of SAINT VITUS, CANDLEMASS, PENTAGRAM, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, TROUBLE and old-BLACK SABBATH.
Doom was certainly not the flavour of the month (nor the decade) but they didn't give a shit. They wanted to play the music they loved so much.
Their first rough demo recording "Perfect Solitude" was released in January 1991. The band changed their name into DAWN OF WINTER shortly after this release due to many other bands around sharing the CEMETERY or similar sounding CEMETARY monicker.
DAWN OF WINTER`s first professional studio recorded demo "Path of the Worm" was released in late 1991. The tape received great response in the underground media. Then in Spring 1992 Joachim Schmalzried (bass) joined the band followed by Jörg M. Knittel (guitar) in early 1993. They entered the studio anew to record their 5 track "Celebrate The Agony" CD. After the recordings Oliver Schramm left the band ( still no idea why...) and was replaced by Dennis Schediwy. With the new line-up they did their first live gigs with bands like MIRROR OF DECEPTION, NAEVUS, REVELATION, SOLITUDE AETURNUS, PSYCHOTIC WALTZ etc.
In December 1994 an LP called "Doomcult Performance" was recorded but not released officially until 2003, because the band was not too satisfied with the production. 5 songs of the recording were released as a promo tape in the Summer of 1995 (which became known as the "Black Revelations" Promo).
In early 1996 DAWN OF WINTER released the "In Servitude To Destiny" Demo which included the following songs:
"Sad Ocean", "Funeral", "Where Low The Ravens Fly" and "Dawn Of Winter". All as well to be featured on the coming full-lenght in slightly different versions.
The first real longplay CD/PIC-LP "In The Valley Of Tears" was then released in April 1998 on IRON GLORY Records. In 2001 the vinyl only MLP "Slow Is The Suffering" followed.
In the meantime the band participated in several tribute albums to some of their heroes and recorded cover versions of songs by ANGEL WITCH, DEMON and CIRITH UNGOL. After some selected live appearances (e.g. DOOM SHALL RISE in 2003 and 2006) the band decided to record another album in 2008.
This effort was released by Massacre Records under the title "The Peaceful Dead". More live shows (e.g. Hammer of Doom 2009 or Up The Hammers/Greece 2011) followed.
In 2012 now their latest recording, a limited vinyl only output again called "The Skull Of The Sorcerer", is released to celebrate their 22nd year of slow existence.
To also celebrate this event the band will perform live in Malta for the first time in November 2012. DOOM ON, BRETHREN!
Line-Up:
Gerrit P. Mutz - Vocals
Jörg M. Knittel - Guitar
Joachim Schmalzried - Bass
Dennis Schediwy - Drums
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