Official Biography, 1998:

“Reverend Vincent Crowley unleashed diabolical fury upon the world with the creation of Acheron in 1988. Acheron was evoked to embody the very essence of Satanism, crystallized in the violent sounds of Apocalyptic Black Death Metal. Crowley joined forces with Peter H. Gilmore, classically trained composer of electronic music and a Magister of the Church of Satan. The two combined resources to create a unique musical amalgam. Thus began Acheron’s descent into darkness.

Acheron released several well-selling demo, generating interest among various labels. Their first demo, Messe Noir, was later pressed as a limited edition 7 inch record (666 copies) on Reaper Records in Belgium. In 1991 the band signed to Turbo Music / JL America Rec and recorded their first full length album, Rites of the Black Mass. This became an underground classic, as it was the first metal recording to use traditional black mass texts with gothic/symphonic interludes between each song. Here was an authntic Satanic Black Mass, demonstrating that Acheron was neither a fad nor a gimmick.

The topic of Acheron’s album caught the eye of a short lived NBC talk show called Cristina. Crowley flew to Miami, Florida, to discuss his views on Satanism and Black Death Metal music. The show was full of Christian lies and propaganda, yet Crowley stood firm on his beliefs. A clip from the show featuring Reverend Crowley later appeared on the television news show Entertainment tonight, when they did a story about Cristina.

In 1992, Gutted records, soon to become Metal Merchant records, released Alla Xul, a 7 inch record the first 500 copies of which were pressed in blood-red vinyl. With the new label name came a new pressing and format for this release.

The same year, Lethal records signed the group and released Satanic Victory and Lex Talionis. There was a talk about the re-release of a new version of Rites of the Black Mass on the label, but this never ended up manifesting.

Anton Szandor LaVey, the founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan, kept his eye on Crowley’s progress, both musically and as a spokesperson for satanism. In 1994, Dr. La Vey appointed Crowley to the Priesthood of the Church Of Satan, an honor that was proudly accepted. Crowley was later promoted to the rank of Magister, thus proving to be more than a Black/death metal musician using satanic Imagery for kicks.

Lethal records version of Satanic Victory was not as the band envisioned, so Acheron brought out the album as intended on Metal Merchant records, which included two extra songs and a setting by Peter Gilmore of Dr. LaVey’s Nine Satanic Statements to serve as intro’s and the outro, as well as completely new packaging.

The band’s notoriety received attention from Christian commentator and evangelist Bob Larson, host of Talk Back and Bob Larson live. Crowley was Larson’s invited adversary for several stimulating encounters. When Larson visited a church in Largo, Florida, he dared Acheron to confront him face to face. The challenge was met in a debate before 2000 Christians who got their first introduction to Real Satanism. When Larson condemned Acheron’s music and stage shows, Crowley tore a Holy Bible asunder before the alter and contemptuously tossed the shredded scriptures into the audience of Christian fanatics. Security forces ushered the band through the side exit, avoiding the enraged mob. Larson later dedicated a broadcast of Talk Back to the encounter, admitting the bravery of the band while condemning their ideology. Larson, unable to resist temptation, later invited Acheron to Denver, Colorado, to appear in his studio to record a debate video release. The result, the Devil and death metal, was a memorable one hour knock-down drag-out clash that became a hotly-traded undergound hit.

After a two year hiatus, Crowley started Acheron’s wheels in motion again. This time with the new element of a keyboardist by the name of John Scott. The keyboards were added to help evolve the music of the band, without compromising the known Acheron style.

An unauthorized Acheron video called Lust, Sin, Chaos and Blasphemy surfaced in later 1995. It was a semi-pro video that used 14 Acheron song and a previously conducted interview with Reverend Vincent Crowley. It was an extreme production of over-the-top footage combined with Acheron’s blasphemous songs. This video is not meant for the weak at heart or the easily offended.

Acheron was featured on several compilation albums, including Turbo Music/JL America Recs’ Triumph of Death and brutal aggression, plus Nuclear Blast’s European version of Death is just the beginning 3.

Presently, Acheron has signed to Moribund records. There are several new planned releases in the works, which include a mini cd called Anti God Anti Christ, a compilation album of songs from past albums, demos, and some new tracks, entitled Compenidium Diablerie, a new improved version of Hail Victory, and possibly the re-release of Rites of the Black Mass and Lex Talionis. If all goes well, Moribund records will be the main source for Acheron’s music.

Later, Acheron will concentrate on their next full length album Those who Have Risen, which will be based on the mythos of the Temple of the Vampire. This religious body has blessed Acheron’s effort to produce a call to all those children of the night to preserve their royal bloodline.

Crowley is an initiate of the priesthood of Ur, a secretive order of the Inner Temple. This album will reveal the secrets of true vampirism.

For further information on Acheron, send a double stamped S.A.S.E or 4 IRC’s to the contact address. Journalist interested in interviewing Reverend Vincent Crowley may write directly. Promotional Materials can be obtained by the above mentioned labels.

The Satanic Millenium approaches and Acheron will unleash their diabolical creations to hasten the climax of Armageddon. The world is Acheron’s for the taking – they will seize it and drain its life blood to the very dregs. Praise the Ways of the Left hand Path. Hail Satan! God is Dead!

I contacted Vincent Crowley during 1997- early 1998 and did the following interview:

Psicoterror: What can you tell about the musical evolution of the band since a keyboardist was included? What atmosphere do you want to express with your music actually?

Acheron: We want the music to be very dark and heavy. The keyboards are a great way to invoke a unholy mood  for the listener.

Psicoterror: There are some critics toward the COS, made by the European underground scene. They claim that the COS was created just to justify an open sexual comunity (the same church) / also they claim that the COS is hedonistic and hybrid. What’s your position about this?

Acheron: The C.O.S is far beyond any of these morons ideas. It is an elitist think tank that is moving forward to creating a satanic society. These European anti-C.O.S people aren’t worth mentioning, since they are nothing to us.

Psicoterror: How important is the COS philosophy based on indulgence instead of self denial in the life of a  Satanist?

Acheron: Very important! We should not deprive “the self” from its natural needs and desires. Suppressing these things are not being true to your godhead!

Psicoterror: As far as I know, John Dee is considered the “father” of modern Satanism. Do you perform actually enochian magick? What can you tell us about this?

Acheron: I have studied Enochian Magick, but I prefer to say that I have my own kind of magick.

Psicoterror: What’s your personal position about the Christian fundamentalists?

Acheron: They should all fucking die! These are parasits that must be eliminated!

Psicoterror: What is the position of the COS regarding the Black Metal “maffia”?

Acheron: We could care less about it. If anybody wants to fuck with us, bring it on! They say that the COS is about the worship of peace and light. Well, then fuck with us and they will find out how wrong they are. Life is War, Order from Chaos!

Psicoterror: As you may know, many children involved with black metal just adopt a satanic attitude because of the music itself. What do you think about it? Do you think that this is positive for the development of Satanism? Why?

Acheron: It may help in the introducing of Satanism, but only those who are truly Satanists by birth will understand the true meaning. So the music may help, but only very little.

Psicoterror: What is your personal position about the attitude of M. Manson & the way he’s spreading satanism? Are you afraid that it could become a trend?

Acheron: Well, Marilyn Manson is a trend. He is helping to wake up many people to the reality of an anti-christian way of thinking. His work is helping to open the doors from bands like Acheron, King Diamond, The Electric Hellfire Club and other Satanic bands. He is rattling the Christian’s cage, and I respect that.

Psicoterror: What can you tell us about your live-shows?

Acheron: Satanic, Blasphemous and dark. When we do a stage show we like to combine the elements of a Satanic Ritual with the Aesthetics of the Third Reich’s SS. Very Satanic and Militant.

Psicoterror: Future plans for both the band and the church?

Acheron: World domination!

Psicoterror: Last words...

Acheron: Praise Hail the Dark One! Keep the Unholy Name of Acheron alive in the Underground! Get our new cds and see us live  when we go on tour! Ad Maiorem Satanae Gloriam!

The old contact address is not valid anymore.
 

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