Morgion  (USA) 

       2004 - Cloaked by Ages, Crowned in Earth  (30%)
       2001 - Solinari  (48%)

Orange County, California's MORGION formed in 1990 seeking to create music stemming from influences such as ENTOMBED, AUTOPSY, MORBID ANGEL and PARADISE LOST. Formed by Jeremy Peto (vocals/bass), Rhett Davis (drums) and Dwayne Boardman (guitars), the band was driven to compose memorably heavy music with highly original lyrical themes that would distinguish them from their contemporaries.

After a year of focused rehearsal, MORGION entered Jim Dotson Studios to record their debut 5-song demo, Rabid Decay. They circulated over a thousand copies to zines and various contacts before gaining moderate distribution both in the U.S. and overseas. The demo was fervently accepted by underground tape traders, and still continues to sell. MORGION furthered their growing momentum by playing both headlining and support gigs throughout 1992.

MORGION recorded two tracks for their first (and only) 7" release, Travesty, which was released on the independent label Catatonic in 1993. The tracks Wither the Storm and Nomads Of the Dawn clearly showed that the band had progressed in songwriting and musicianship, receiving favorable reviews from both 'zines and fans internationally. They continued to perform throughout the rest of the year, in support of acts such as FEAR FACTORY, MINDROT, DISMEMBER, AUTOPSY, ENTOMBED and GRAVE.

The flow of new blood created new music and new ideas. With the addition of Bobby Thomas (guitar) and Ed Parker (keyboards) in 1994, MORGION began a new chapter, building on existing fundamentals by incorporating intricate melodies and atmospherics. After months of seclusion, MORGION recorded nearly an hour of material at Jim Barnes' Audio Productions, the bulk of which became their Relapse debut, Among Majestic Ruin. With its intense, heaving doom and atmospheric grandeur, Among Majestic Ruin was a surprise to many and proved to be a highly successful debut, setting them apart as one of the premier acts in not only Southern California, but in North America as well. Two CELTIC FROST covers, Innocence and Wrath and The Usurper, were also laid to tape for the In Memory of Celtic Frost tribute album which was released worldwide in early 1996. MORGION would deliver immense live performances over the next year and a half, punctuated by an amazing set at the1997 Milwaukee Metalfest. Both Thomas and Parker would eventually leave the band, to be replaced by the multi-talented instrumentalist Gary Griffith.

1999 is upon us, and MORGION have delivered a record that is poised to carry epic doom metal into the upcoming millennium and beyond... Solinari takes the most diverse aspects of both power and beauty and merges the two extremes, carving a passageway to musical escapism. Unbelievably heavy and warm guitar tones envelope the listener, while both spoken and forcefully growled lyrics convey timeless tales of wisdom and knowledge...discoveries are constantly being made. The royal production services of Schneebi (ST. VITUS, OBSESSED) perfectly compliment MORGION's thick, yet melodic song structuring, enthroning the band as the sovereign rulers of epic, monolithic metal. From the opening track The Serpentine Scrolls-Descent To Arawn through the memorable closer ...The Last Sunrise, Solinari demands the listener's attention. Hypnotizing and enlightening, commanding and possessing, Solinari is a testimony and hymnal to enlightenment and woe. Prepare for the journey...

Jeremy Peto - voice and words,
Dwayne Boardman - guitars,
Rhett Davis - battery and scriptures,
Gary Griffith - guitars, acoustics and synths

Source: http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10065