Dawn of Azazel was formed in 1997 by Rigel Walshe. After several years of playing and various members coming and going the first solid line up was formed consisting of Rigel Walshe on Bass/Oratory, Joseph Bonnet on Guitar, Tony Corry on Drums, and Tom James on Guitar. This line up performed Dawn of Azazels first gig on the 5th of June 1999 along with Coven, Vext, Guttered and Nothinghunger. They received an enthusiastic response, and went on to play several more gigs during that year. However shortly after their first performance Tom decided that he was no longer interested in metal and left.
During September of 1999 Tony Rigel and Joe entered Kulturkamph studios in Auckland to record their first demo "Of Bloodshed and Eternal Victory". This featured 4 tracks; Conqueror Throned, Triumph upon Equinox, Conflagration of the Mortal Soul, and March on the Blind. Although not promoted overseas, the demo received an enthusiastic local response, and established Dawn of Azazel as a band to be reckoned with in the New Zealand Metal scene. Following the recording of " Of Bloodshed…" the band finally enlisted the talents of a competent second guitar player in the form of Tony Angelov. However, shortly after Tony Angelov being welcomed into the fold Tony Corry decided to part ways with Dawn of Azazel, and the band were again understrength. Fortunately after a few weeks of seaching they came across Phil Osborne, who filled the vacant battery division, and helped Dawn of Azazel move from strength to strength. This line up had their first performance with Premature Autopsy at the December 18th Auckland show as part of their Nation wide tour.
The first half of the year 2000 was spent practising and tightening the new line up. The first performance of the year was legendary riverhead performance where the bands performance climaxed in a 300+ person riot, the ensuing chaos leaving several injured and hospitalised. The band followed up their reputation by releasing their second demo "Vita est Militia Super Terram" in August, Which received an excellent response, both local and overseas, despite the lack of promotion on the part of the band. Several further local performances followed most notably Supporting Australians Atomizer on their New Zealand tour.
2001- the early months of 2001 were filled with Dawn of Azazel's now regular headlining of local gigs. The 16th June of 2001 marked Dawn of Azazel's first performance outside the Auckland area at the indigo bar in Wellington. This was followed by a slot at the Sold out 2001 Satanfest in Christchurch, alongside Australians Misery and Kiwi bands Meatyard, Skuldom and Aphelon. In December of 2001 Dawn of Azazel became the first truly metal act to cross the Tasman and conquer the shores of Australia. The "Australian Conquest Tour" was a short, self financed excursion that brought Dawn of Azazel to Adelade and Melborne, followed by the years final performance in Auckland. This was a tremendous success, garnishing excellent praise from the Australian metal Audience, and securing a strong fanbase for their return, hopefully sometime in 2002.
In May 2005 the band parted ways with Agonia Records.
DAWN OF AZAZEL
