AZBUK (aka Asbuk)




BAND NAME: Azbuk
GENRE: Unblack Metal with Death Metal Influences
STATUS: Split up
LOCATION: Brazil (São Paulo, São Paulo)

Apparently went by "Asbuk" at some point.

Formed in June, 1997.
The band was active and split up at various points:
1997-1999, 2000-2001, 2002-2005, 2007-2012, 2013-(????), 2018-2020

On 30 May, 2020, it was announced that the band was definitively split up. Meremoth decided to finish up the EP that was already in the works (the "Meremoth" EP), but after that, ceased activity completely.

Metal Archives says, "Azbuk adopted a non-religious position in their lyrics circa 2004, and in 2007 returned to Christian themes." I can't find any evidence to support this..?

According to the band, "azbuk" comes from a Hebrew word for "pardon", but I can't find this word right now.

"Azbuk" is also the name of a person mentioned in Nehemiah. Azbuk was the father of someone named Nehemiah, but not the one the text is named after. That one's father was named Hakaliah.

Lineup:
Douglas "Meremoth" Farias - Vocals (lead), Guitars, Keyboards (early), Everything (later)

Past members:
Fábio Carvalho - Vocals, Bass
Diego "Nocturnal Forest Lord" Putrid - Guitars
Adriano - Bass
Rogério - Bass
Darcon - Bass
Marcos - Bass
Leandro "Baruck / Baruch" Simonato - Bass
Jeremy "Shadrach" Alves - Bass
Michelin - Bass
Harcoz - Bass
Adriano "Azgad" Camini - Bass
Rubinho "Azgade" Oliveira - Drums (early), Keyboards (later)
Alexandre Matan / Matã" Marcondes - Drums

Links:
SoundCloud ("ExtremeMetal")
SoundCloud ("Official")
Old website link I can't get to work
^ This link just seems to redirect to Myspace or Geocities?...

Discography:


Divine Force (demo, June, 1997, Independent)
Format: Cassette

I've seen a couple places say this was released in 1998? According to the band, this was released in 1997. I'm not sure why there are two cover variants.

NOTE: Some places add track 8, "The Loyal Witness" (1:57) before the bonus track. Not sure about this right now.

1) Intro 1:00, instrumental
2) Divine Force 1:40
3) Abyss Eternal 2:22
4) Supplication 2:44
5) Demoniac Ilusion 1:27
6) The Wisdom 2:44
7) Majesty 2:29 
8) Spiritual Battle (Death Poems cover), track length unknown, bonus track

(artwork
not
available)

Nosferatu Darkness Earl (demo, May, 2001, Independent)
Format: CD

I'm not sure if this was ever actually released as a standalone demo? ... Or if it was only released alongside "Divine Force" in the compilation below?

1) Intro 5:32
2) Nosferatus Darkness Earl 4:15
3) Reflexes of a Damned Mirror 4:06
4) Fallen Angel 3:42
5) Constitution 1:00


Nosferatu Darkness Earl / Divine Force (compilation)

Left: 2001, Independent, CD-R
Right: possibly 2002, ???????????

According to the file name, the one on the right was released in 2002. I have no idea if that's accurate or not. I'm also not sure why the left artwork has both colored and black/white variants.

I have two different tracklists for this release. Perhaps one goes to the left version, and one to the right? I'm really not sure though.

I received files of this from somebody, but it seems many of the tracks are incomplete and labeled incorrectly... If that weren't enough, it seems these versions differ from the ones on this compilation based on the track lengths... As it is, I really don't know the track lengths for these.

MAIN TRACKLIST (see here and here)
1) Intro (from Nosferatus ...)
2) Nosferatus Darkness Earl
3) Reflexes of a Damned Mirror
4) Fallen Angel
5) Constitution
6) Intro
(from Divine Force)
7) Divine Force
8) Abyss Eternal
9) Supplication
10) Demoniac Illusion
11) The Wisdom
12) Majesty
13) The Loyal Witness

POSSIBLE ALTERNATE TRACKLIST?
1) Intro (from Divine Force)
2) Abyss Eternal
3) Supplication
4) Demoniac Illusion
5) The Wisdom
6) Majesty
7) The Loyal Witness
8) Spiritual Battle
(Death Poems cover)
9) Intro
(from Nosferatus ...)
10) Nosferatus Darkness Earl
11) Reflexes of a Damned Mirror
12) Fallen Angel
13) Constitution


Ancient Secrets of the Bible (demo)

June, 2004, Independent, CD-R
year unknown, Independent, 4Shared, link expired

I have no idea why there are two artwork variants again. Perhaps one was used for the CD, and the other for the digital version?

1) Ancient Secrets of the Bible 4:17
2) Return 4:13
3) Symphony of Death 1:41
4) The Kingdom 4:12
5) Glory to the Lamb 4:39
6) Evolution of Decadence 3:40
 


Rex Regum Regredi (single, 2008, Independent)
Format: Digital / PureVolume / 4Shared
both links expired
 
1) Rex Regum Regredi
3:48, lyrics unknown


Brazilian Black Metal - A Light in the Darkness (compilation, 2008, label unknown)
Format unknown

May have been released at [this link] digitally. (See here.) But I'm not certain if that's official or not.

"Ignis Project" is mentioned on that page, and a logo for it is in the top-left corner of this artwork. Is that the label, or...?

1) Azbuk - Ancient Secrets of the Bible 4:17



Compilation for Eternity (compilation)

Left:
November, 2008, Sullen Records (RIP-OFF LABEL), CD, limited 250 copies
21 April, 2020, Independent, Bandcamp
Right:
1 September, 2019, Blackened Label Records, CD
10 May, 2021, Blackened Label Records, Bandcamp
(not sure about the artwork)
year unknown, Independent, 4Shared, link expired

Apparently these tracks were reworked in some way. According to this, for example, Azgade added keyboards to some of the songs.

2008 / 2020 VERSIONS TRACKLIST
1) Ancient Secrets of the Bible 4:18
2) The Kingdom
4:16
3) Nosferatus Darkness Earl
5:33
4) Reflexes of a Damned Mirror
4:09
5) Fallen Angel
4:09
6) Constitution
3:45
7) Supplication
3:15
8) Majesty
2:44
9) The Loyal Witness
2:17
10) Abyss Eternal
2:31
11) Return
4:14
12) Symphony of Death
1:41

2019 VERSION TRACKLIST
1) Majesty 2:44
2) The Kingdom
4:16
3) Nosferatus Darkness Earl
5:33
4) Reflexes of a Damned Mirror
4:09
5) Fallen Angel
4:09
6) Supplication
3:15
7) Constitution
3:45
8) The Loyal Witness
2:17
9) Abyss Eternal
2:31
10) Ancient Secrets of the Bible
4:18
11) Return
4:14


Angel of Death (NOT SURE IF RELEASED)

Planned to contain 3 songs. Wondering if it's, perhaps, an early version of "The Spiritual Battle"?


Meremoth (EP, 22 July, 2020, Independent)
Format: Digital / Bandcamp
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)

1) Savior God
3:08, lyrics:
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust. I trust in you;
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love
for they are from of old.
Savior God!


2) Sinful Nation
3:17, lyrics:
Ah, sinful nation,
People loaded of iniquity,
Descent of malefactors,
Children that practice the corruption!
They left the Lord,
They despised the Holy,
They returned back.
Why would still be punished,
What do persist in the rebelliousness?
The whole head is sick
And the whole weak heart.
No there is in him healthy
Bruises and alive wounds;
They were not squeezed
Nor softened with oil.
Your country is devastated;
Your cities burning fire;
Your earth the strangers devour
Your presence it is devastated,
As for a pillage of foreigners.
The whole head is sick
And the whole weak heart
Jesus Christ save
God is reigning



The Spiritual Battle (EP, UNRELEASED)

Planned to contain 3 songs and a Horde cover.
Never released before the band split up.









__________________________________
IncompletePage, CouldUseBetterImages, UncertainInfo
This page is a mess. For some reason, there is just so much conflicting information about this band, and it's impossible to put most of these pieces together. If you have anything, let me know. Thanks!

Miscellaneous stuff:

*Note: This section will hopefully be added onto soon!*
Left/middle: Alternate / unused artwork
Right: Stylized / 3D logo
 
Some sort of poster, described as an "introduction page" on [eBay]:

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I just wanted to say im so happy that God found you!

Father of all, please watch over this person. Please build him up in Your Spirit! Keep him focused on Jesus and provide protection and love to him! Through Jesus's name! ❤️

Nocturnal Iridescence said...

I'm happy about it too, every single day. No matter what struggles I face in life, some quite difficult, the knowledge I am saved from the demons and am shown true light, wisdom, and grace through God - the ultimate perfect divinity - is an immeasurable comfort. I could write for hours. Christ's comparison to houses built on rock and sand are perfect. My prayer is always that those who see my testimony and the work done through me will also see the dangers of building their lives on transient, demonic sand, and find the same wisdom and comfort in the Rock. Thank you immensely for the prayers. Although saved, the good in me comes only from Christ; I'm a flawed and dim mirror, and can probably never have enough prayer.