Founded in 1992, Chicago’s Avernus began with the desire to create an original sound within the death/doom metal genre. The concept of their music was to blend emotional, melodic, and at times angry and heavy tones that would best represent the true psyche of the band members. By working on every song together, they crafted a broad array of dark and emotional music.

Avernus soon found the right lineup:
Richard McCoy, Rick Yifrach, Roberto Franco, Anthony Volpe, Erik Kikke, who all understood the concept and contributed creatively to the band’s sound.

Rick McCoy added a key differentiator: a guitar synthesizer, which helped establish a unique sound. Incorporating an array of instruments and harmonies, Avernus also expanded their sound with the inclusion of female vocalist Kimberly Goss (later of Ancient, Therion, and Dimmu Borgir, and founder of Sinergy).

With this strong lineup and unique sound, Avernus recorded their highly regarded 4-song demo/EP titled “Sadness” in 1994. The band did not anticipate the significant impact it would have on the death metal scene, but it quickly garnered attention, building a worldwide following.

Their distinct sound was well received by fans, journalists, promoters, and musicians alike. Avernus was soon featured in prominent publications like Metal Maniacs and RIP Magazine, as well as in the underground press. Things were looking bright for the band, and momentum was building fast.

Following the release of “Sadness,” Avernus gained attention from numerous labels. They released the single “Godlessness” as a follow-up, which was licensed by Metal Blade and included in the coveted “Metal Massacre” series in 1995.

Avernus then signed with MIA Records and released “…Of The Fallen” in 1997. However, these were darker days for the band. While attempting to create a more accessible sound to reach a larger audience—like many doom metal bands at the time—they lost some of the heaviness that defined their earlier work. Though the songs were well-written and successful, they lacked the essence of their previous releases.

Roberto Franco exited the band, and James Michael (from Fleshgrind/Dysphoria) stepped in. After touring, the band felt something was missing and decided to go on hiatus. While there were several attempts to revitalize the band post-1998, the cohesiveness they once shared was absent.

In 2014, Avernus regrouped to revive their original sound, bringing more experience and a clearer vision for the future. Progress was slow until the COVID-19 pandemic, when guitarist James Genenz took the songs Avernus had written over the years and began refining them to their highest potential. After recording at home, James sent the recordings to the rest of the band, asking, “Are you guys ready to do this full force?” The resounding answer was YES!

Over two years, Avernus worked in four studios, collaborating with two engineers and two producers to craft their sound. The result was a ten-track full-length album titled “Grievances”. After sending private copies to trusted journalists, musicians, and influencers, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

One copy of “Grievances” reached longtime friend Marco Barbieri, owner of M-Theory Records (known for Century Media, Metal Blade, and Nuclear Blast). Marco loved the album and offered Avernus a two-record deal, which the band eagerly accepted.

After years of persistence, Avernus has achieved something substantial once again. “Grievances” is set to release on September 20th, 2024 through M-Theory Records.