Borne out of Narqath (a.k.a. Tomi Kalliola) and Kalma's (Ville Pallonen) 1995 act BELFEGOR, Hyvinkää Black Metal act AZAGHAL has witnessed turbulent times since their inception. Somewhat confusingly Kalma has, at various stages, gone under the titles of VRTX and V-Khaoz. BELFEGOR issued the demo 'The Ancient Gods Of Evil' before drummer Varjoherra joined the fold as the band renamed itself NARGOVENTOR in 1997. During the interim Narqath had demoed with WOLFHEART, VALOR, SVARTALFHEIM and WITH HATE I BURN.

The band members switched roles under a further new banner of AZAGHAL as Varjoherra took over vocals, Narqath bass and Kalma drums. Formative sessions included the 1998 'Kristinusko Liekeissä' demo tape, featuring a cover rendition of VENOM's 'Countess Bathory' with Jani Loikas handling bass guitar, issued as a collaboration between StÃ¥hlhammer Productions and Chanteloup Creations, limited to 200 copies. Follow up cassettes included the 'Noituuden Torni', recorded at Nocturnal Winds Studios in March 1998 via StÃ¥lhammar Productions, and 1999 'Azaghal' demos.

The group's commercial debut came in 1999 with the 'Harmagedon' EP published by Aftermath Music. First pressings, restricted to 500 copies, would be manufactured in black vinyl with a subsequent re-press, also of 500, in "splatter red". A split album with MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET was recorded for 2000 release and a further split affair with Spanish act BEHEADED LAMB also emerged on Millenium Metal Music.

Narqath, besides VALOR, also operates HIN ONDE issuing the album 'Songs Of Battle'. Besides VALAR the industrious Narqath has also issued the 'Unchained Heathen Wrath' demo credited to WYRD and operates OATH OF CIRION, issuing the 'King Of The Dragonthrone' session, in league with members of DRUADAN FOREST.

AZAGHAL announced the addition of guitarist 'J.L. Nokturnal', actually Jani Loikas of NOCTURNAL WINDS, LET ME DREAM, HIN ONDE, YEARNING, MEDIEVAL ART and KATAPLEXIA repute, in early 2001 and a new album, 'Of Beasts And Vultures', for release in 2002 as well as a three way split album 'Black Metal War' on Mass Grave Records in union with VULTUR and American's MISANTHROPY. Following completion of this latest album drummer Vrtx departed as Teemu Mutka of DEEPRED stepped in as swift replacement.

A split album shared with fellow Black Metal Finns MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET arrived through the Italian Nocturnal Music label in 2002. Drummer v-KhaoZ was let go in August of 2003 as the band opted to persevere with 'Mr. Unhuman Warmachine' for new recordings. Signing to Aftermath Music the band cut the 'Perkeleen Luoma' album for April 2004 issue. It would be preceded by the EP 'Kyy'. A further split outing, a 7" EP 'None Shall Escape', was shared with SAEL. Solistitium Records also re-released the 'Deathkult MMDCLXVI' collection, adding a further seven tracks. Also put out would be a CD version of the 'Kristinusko Liekeissä' demo via Sacrifire Productions, this re-release adding extra tracks in covers of 'Kulde / Skogens Hatefulle Skapning' originally by ILDJARN and MAYHEM's 'Ghoul'. Another 2004 release, 'Four Hammers Of Hate', would be a split vinyl album with BLACK DEATH RITUAL, limited to 800 copies through Hammer Of Hate Records.