Alastis

The band formed in 1987 under the name Fourth Reich and played death metal. The initial line-up was War D. on guitar, Zumof on vocals, Acronoise on drums and Masmiseim (born Christophe Mermod, Acronoise's brother) on bass. In 1989, Fourth Reich changed its name to Alastis, a derivation of Alastor, the executioner of hell, and turned towards black metal; two years later, Masmiseim left to join Samael, and Zumof left shortly afterwards. Samael's current singer/guitarist, Vorph, sang on one track of the Black Wedding demo, and the band released its first album, The Just Law, on Head Not Found. After several further line-up changes, they signed with Adipocere Records, which released their second album, ...And Death Smiled, in 1995.