The beginning of a complex history of Pandemonium dates back to the end of 1989, when Paul and Peter aka Żuber (R.I.P), fascinated by “Necronomicon” and inspired by accomplishments of Hellhammer, Bathory, Venom and Samael, bring into being a first band in Poland which created such dark, majestic and severe Black Metal. Their first official publication, demo titled “Devilri”, which at present is almost cult, was sold in thousands of copies which made Pandemonium, next to Kat, Vader and Imperator, one of the most popular band of Polish underground in the 90’s. The debut album “The Ancient Catatonia” only established the position of the band, strengthened its status and at the same time contributed to the band’s growth in importance. At that moment it seemed that the Seventh Gate had just opened and Days of Glory are to come…
Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, startling time of Darkness began. Being at variance, the two musicians were unable to carry the burden of growing popularity and the youthful emotions weren’t the best Counselor at that moment. The misunderstandings between the two founders of the group led to the band’s break-up and unnecessary legal disputes which, as a result, made the usage of the name “Pandemonium” impossible for some time. Despite that situation and disregarding the failures Paul tried to carry on his crusade under the banner of a new act Domain. However, even though he recorded three very good albums with various musicians, it was difficult to equal the success of the first publications. It’s no use looking for reasons of that situation… Nevertheless those records are treated as an integral output of Pandemonium because the world hates void and it can be equally satisfied with a Substitute. It was a strange epoch characterized by the group’s reshuffle, ineffective contracts, suspensions of activity but it was also a time of the greatest test of character, reflection and a creative experiment with the Dark Side of the Sound.
Yet, the Fate turned out to be kind. New ideas and new people appeared, but what is more important, it became possible to return under the stage name Pandemonium. Paul could take only one decision – Reactivation of the group. Within the next four years the band gave occasional concerts, worked on new material and recorded two venturous albums, both of which were creative, even though completely different stylistically. In spite of the Matter’s resistance, Pandemonium began to gradually come out of the shadows. The band, self-confident of their value and maturity, began to follow an individual path and started to work on a new, almost ritual album “Misanthropy”. The next phase of their procession is marked by a pact signed with the old friends from Pagan Records and Godz Ov War Productions – with their participation the group wants to bring back the Splendor of Past Days.
It is important to make a note of few significant facts. Pandemonium is the first metal band with this name which have been active on a music stage for over 20 years, which makes them a substantial part of the history of metal music. Among their achievements there are many publications, which have been re-edited several times, they gave hundreds of concerts with such recognised groups as Slayer, Celtic Frost, Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, Vader, Samael, Unleashed, Asphyx, Desultory. Among the members of Pandemonium used to be the musicians of several important Polish bands, such as Imperator, Hate, Hazael, Tenebris, Riverside.