CTHULUMINATI

New albm, “Tentacula”!

Long before the name Cthuluminati cast its shadow over the Dutch metal scene, the story began with Marquis. This solo project, initiated in 2005 by ambitious musician and visionary Devi Hisgen, gave rise to a torrent of atmospheric and experimental black metal. With a relentless creative drive, Devi quickly built a loyal following, earning critical acclaim for his work. However, side projects and live collaborations with other bands led to a temporary pause for Marquis.
Still, the desire to bring his music to the stage never faded. Determined to revive his solo work in a live setting, Devi began searching for like-minded musicians who could bring his vision to life. After a period of trial and error, the lineup took shape with Rami Wohl on guitar and Stefan Strausz on bass. Together, they started playing shows and creating new material. The input from his bandmates added a fresh dynamic to the music, gradually steering it into new, uncharted territory.
When their drummer left due to personal reasons, the band faced a pivotal moment. By then, the music had evolved into an eclectic fusion of styles that transcended the roots of Marquis. Embracing this new direction, the group decided to start anew, rebranding themselves as Cthuluminati. The name signified not only a fresh beginning but also a commitment to boundless creativity, untethered by genre or expectation.
Armed with new material but lacking a permanent drummer, the band invited Rick Lieffering, drummer of black-folk metal band Fenris, to join them in the studio. Rick recorded the entirety of Reliqideus—their ambitious debut album—and also played drums for several live shows. Around the same time, Cthuluminati released their first single, “El Lizard Birth” (2016), a track written during the Marquis era. The song served as a harbinger of their transformation: a journey from atmospheric black ’n roll to the eclectic, psychedelic, and avant-garde metal that defines Cthuluminati today.
The search for a permanent drummer, however, continued. After an extensive search, the band found their perfect match in Seth van de Loo, the former drummer of Dutch death metal band Severe Torture. Seth, seeking a new creative direction, was immediately captivated by Cthuluminati’s demos. His arrival marked a turning point, as the band entered a new phase of both musical and personal synergy. By the time Reliqideus was officially released in 2019, Seth had joined the lineup, solidifying Cthuluminati as a cohesive and formidable force. The album’s blend of diverse influences created a unique and cohesive sound, earning glowing reviews from online metal outlets and enthusiastic responses from live audiences.
Complete once more, the four-headed entity of Cthuluminati was more determined than ever. They played numerous shows, including opening slots for Carach Angren and Rotting Christ, and set their sights on recording a follow-up album. Their second album, Tentacula, is set for release in March 2025 and promises to dive even deeper into their signature mix of psychedelic, avant-garde, and progressive metal. The result is a soundscape where the boundaries between black metal, sludge, and experimental elements dissolve into a hypnotic realm.
Cthuluminati’s mission remains clear: to create music without limits—a space where the absurd meets the sublime, and innovation reigns supreme.

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