In the shadows of Athens, Greece, in 1988, a band was born to bring chaos and darkness to the extreme, underground metal scene. With Spyros (“Captain Death,” ex-Vomit and Sound Pollution) on drums, Jim (“Mutilator,” also in Rotting Christ) on bass, John (also in Danger Cross) on guitars, and Stefan (“Necroabyssious,” ex-Sickness Mind) on vocals, Varathron emerged as Greece’s most enigmatic and extreme metal force.

Their journey began on a stormy October night in 1989 with the recording of their first demo, Procreation of Unaltered Evil. Despite its raw production, it oozed a sinister energy. Even Dead from Mayhem remarked on its “blasphemic feeling” that could “kill your brain.” The spell had been cast, and Varathron’s legacy had begun.

By December 1989, the band recorded The Great Seal of Graal, marking Captain Death’s last contribution before Themis (also of Rotting Christ) took over drumming duties. Stavros (from Horrified) also joined on guitars, completing a revamped lineup. In 1990, the quintet released their iconic second demo, Genesis of Apocryphal Desire, hailed as one of the era’s best extreme metal demos from Greece. Black Vomit Records soon followed with their debut 7-inch record, One Step Beyond Dreams, which sold out within weeks.

That same year, Varathron played Greece’s first black/death metal show at Athens’ Rock Palais Club alongside Rotting Christ and Death Courier. Mayhem was scheduled to join but were halted at the Yugoslavian border. This debut performance was both a triumph and a rarity, as the band would remain absent from the live stage for years.

1992 marked a turning point with the release of their split album with Necromantia, Black Arts Lead to Everlasting Sins. Released under Black Power Records, it became a cult classic, solidifying Varathron’s status in the underground.

The following year, in 1993, the band signed with Dutch label Cyber Music and recorded their first full-length album, His Majesty at the Swamp. Produced by Magus (Necromantia) at Storm Studios, the album became a defining work in the “Hellenic Black Metal” scene. However, lineup changes loomed as Mutilator left for personal reasons and Necroslaughter -their new guitarist- relocated to Australia.

After a brief hiatus, Stefan and Pyrphoros (guitars and bass) reformed Varathron after leaving Kawir in 1994, adding Adrastos on keyboards. Signing with Unisound Records, they released Walpurgisnacht. Though initially under-promoted, the album has since been hailed as a masterpiece by fans.

In 1997, Cursed Productions released Genesis of Apocryphal Desire, a compilation of demos and unreleased tracks, rekindling interest in Varathron’s legacy. Two years later, in 1999, Bill (Crazy Wizard) replaced Adrastos on keyboards and they released a mini-album titled The Lament of Gods under Pagan Records, showcasing their most atmospheric work to date.

By 2003, Stefan relocated to Ioannina and rebuilt Varathron from the ground up, enlisting Achilleas (guitars/bass) and Haris (drums). Their third full-length, Crowsreign, released in 2004 via Black Lotus Records, marked a new era and the last release featuring Crazy Wizard on keyboards. Varathron returned to the stage after 15 years in 2005, performing alongside Rotting Christ and Primordial in Athens.

After years of composing and lineup adjustments with Tolis on bass and Sotiris accompanying Achilleas on guitars, they released Stygian Forces of Scorn in 2009 and a 7 inch split with Desolation titled Darkness Has Landed, cementing their reputation with a mix of aggression and mysticism.

The 2010s brought further evolution and a final, stronger than ever, steady line up. Stratos joins the band by replacing Tolis, and the band releases a 3way split with Thornspawn and Black Altar in 2012. A couple of years later the band also releases a split with Den Saakaldte titled Old Demons Rise.

In 2014, they signed with Agonia Records, releasing Untrodden Corridors of Hades and embracing their role as a live band. Tours across Europe, Asia, and the Americas followed, bringing their occult hymns to an international audience.

The release of Patriarchs of Evil in 2018 elevated Varathron to new heights, with its blend of ferocity and melody captivating fans worldwide it has become already their modern classic. The band also published two official videos for the first time ever to promote the album.

Their journey came full circle in 2019 with the release of a split 7-inch with Rotting Christ, Duality of the Unholy Existence, a symbolic union of Greece’s black metal pioneers. During the pandemic in 2020, they dropped their first live album, Glorification Under the Latin Moon, recorded in São Paulo during their 2019 Latin America tour. A few months before the release of their 6^th full length album, Iron Bonehead Productions will also publish a split with Ungod featuring a rare Varathron track from the 90s rerecorded.

In 2023, Varathron released The Crimson Temple through Agonia Records once again, introducing new elements to their sound and an epic production. With fan-favorite tracks like Crypts in the Mist which also featured an official music video, the band continues to prove their relevance in the ever-evolving world of black metal. In 2024, Varathron performed various headline shows and tours to promote their latest work.