Death metal musically but with clear Satanic overtones in the lyrics, ACHERON is perhaps one of the more genuine of the American exponents of Black Metal. Mentor and frontman Vincent Crowley is the founder of the irreligious underground movement 'Order of the evil eye' whilst renowned Church of Satan priest Reverend Peter Gilmore added keyboards and contributed lyrically. The latter is cited as a founder ACHERON member, but would withdraw from the band in 1989.

ACHERON, originally formed in Tampa, Florida during 1988, marked their arrival with an eponymous 1989 demo tape. At this juncture ACHERON comprised singer Michael Smith, guitarist Vincent Crowley, bassist David Smith and drummer Ron Hogue. These recordings would later see a 1995 release on 7" single format by Reaper Records limited suitably to 666 copies. A two track cassette demo issued in 1990, 'To Thee We Confess' / 'Ave Satanas', would see William Koblack on second guitar and James Strauss on drums.

Membership changes would see the exit of Smith in 1990, leaving Vincent Crowley to handle the lead vocal role. David Smith opted out the following year as Pete Slate enrolled on guitar. However, this latest recruits tenure proved brief and in 1992 Slate was superseded by Tony Blakk. Additional guitar work came courtesy of Vincent Breeding. Drummer Robert Orr featured in 1991 and another drummer, James Strauss, took his leave in 1992. In October 1992 Turbo Music put out the debut ACHERON album 'Rites Of The Black Mass'. Peter Gilmore provided intros to each song but these only featured on vinyl and CD variants, not the cassette editions. A 7" vinyl single, 'Alla Xul' following up in November, was released through Gutted Records.

Ex-MORBID ANGEL, INCUBUS and NOCTURNUS drummer Mike Browning has also appeared with ACHERON on their 1993 'Hail Victory' album alongside Crowley and guitarists Tony Blakk and Vincent Breeding. Only 1000 copies of this album were manufactured by Metal Merchant. An album, 'Lex Talionis', and an EP entitled 'Satanic Victory' emerged in 1994 on Lethal Records. A live demo billed as 'Messe Noir' also surfaced in 1994 via Reaper Records, these tracks having been recorded on 6th June 1989 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

ACHERON contracted with Moribund Records for the 1996 album 'Anti-God, Anti-Christ'. Crowley's band at this stage was made up of guitarist Michael Estes, keyboard player John Scott and drummer Richard Christy. NON's Boyd Rice provided the closing track, 'Total War'. For concert work the group drafted bassist Troy Heffern.

1998 releases included the picture disc single 'Necromanteion Communion' on Merciless Records, as a limited edition of 1000 pieces and for which the B side featured a cover version of BATHORY's 'Raise The Dead', and the album 'Those Who Have Risen' through Full Moon Productions'. These tracks were crafted by a membership of Crowley, guitarists Michael Estes and Ben Myer, keyboard player John Scott and drummer Tony Laureano with Peter Gilmore providing electronic intros.

In 1999 the band executed their interpretation of MERCYFUL FATE's 'Room Of The Golden Air', featured on 'The Unholy Sounds Of The Demon Bells - A Tribute To Mercyful Fate' collection issued via Poland's Still Dead Productions. Installed on drums between 1998 and 1999 would be HELL ON EARTH's Jonathan Lee.

Former ACHERON guitarist Pete Slate would found the Black Death act EQUINOX, later drafting another ACHERON veteran Tony Blakk. Guitarist Michael Estes busied himself with a side project act BURNING INSIDE assembled by renowned ICED EARTH, DEMONS & WIZARDS, DEATH and CONTROL DENIED drummer Richard Christy and BLACK WITCHERY guitarist Steve Childers.

Drummer Tony Laureano sessioned for AURORA BOREALIS and MALEVOLENT CREATION. By 2000 he was a member of Dutch act GOD DETHRONED. Another former member, keyboard player Adina Blaze, would join LILITU. Crowley created WOLFEN SOCIETY with DARK FUNERAL guitarist Lord Ahriman and Jeff Gruslin of VITAL REMAINS in 2000.

Full Moon Productions issued a CD of rare early ACHERON material during 2001 entitled 'Compendium Diablerie - The Demo Days'. That same year Vincent Crowley would notably resign from the Church of Satan organisation.Manning the ACHERON drum stool throighout 2001 would be Daniel Zinkof PITBOSS 2000.

During July of 2002 major news was delivered as it was confirmed Crowley had joined the prestigious Black Death Metal veterans INCANTATION for their North American 'Summer Of Blasphemy' tour. In a vital trade off, esteemed drummer Kyle Severn, boasting credits with INCANTATION, VITAL REMAINS, WOLFEN SOCIETY and FUNERUS, would join the ranks of ACHERON that same year.

A 2003 album, 'Tribute To The Devil's Music', comprised entirely of cover versions. ACHERON paid homage to tracks such as BLACK SABBATH's 'Black Sabbath', DEATH's 'Evil Dead', CELTIC FROST's 'Dawn Of Megiddo', IRON MAIDEN's 'Wrathchild', KREATOR's 'Flag Of Hate', MOTÖRHEAD's ''(Don't Need Religion', MERCYFUL FATE's 'Room Of Golden Air', KISS' 'War Machine', BATHORY's 'Raise The Dead', JUDAS PRIEST's 'Devil's Child' and VENOM's 'Countess Bathory'.

In February of 2004 Michael Estes parted ways with the band with the practicalities of distance from the guitarist's Orlando, Florida base and the rest of the band living in Columbus, Ohio cited as reasoning. ACHERON enlisted a temporary replacement in the form of Stacey Connolly from LIFE IS LOST. Christopher Wiford of THE CONQUERING would be installed on guitar in June.

Polish gigs for November saw ACHERON included on the billing of the 'Conquer Records Winter 2004' festivals. With Kyle Severn unable to attend due to personal issues, ACHERON re-drafted James Strauss for these shows. Also arriving in stores in 2004 was the Black Lotus Records compilation set 'Decade Infernus 1988 - 1998'.

In early 2005 ACHERON issued a statement demonstrating a shift in their ideology proclaiming "Let it been know that ACHERON is not a Church of Satan-linked band anymore. Vincent Crowley, who formerly was a Magister/Priest for their organization, resigned back in 2000. ACHERON in no way indorses any type of organized religious groups." New product would be signalled in the form of an album billed 'Sanctum Regnum: The Predator Manifesto' and a DVD release '17 Years Of Pure Hell'.

The 'Satanic Victory' opus was re-released in 2007 by Kneel Before The Master's Throne as a 12" vinyl gatefold sleeve edition with
new artwork. A highly restricted "Die hard" collectors version was pressed on coloured vinyl and included a T-shirt, patch, button and A1 poster.

South American label Dying Music announced a 2008 re-issue of 'Rites Of The Black Mass', this version clad in all new artwork and hosting extra demo tracks. That same year the band published a three song demo, 'Satanic Supremacy'.

Having signed to Displeased Records, ACHERON entered Mars Recording Compound studios with producer Bill Korecky on 13th September 2008 to start recording new album 'The Final Conflict: Last Days Of God'.The recording roster involved Crowley, guitarists Max Otworth and Ash Thomas plus Kyle Severn on drums.

ACHERON, having enrolled new guitarist Art Taylor, teamed up with Czech Republic's PANDEMIA for the 'Luciferion Europe' tour in April 2009 to coincide with the album release.

Garry Sharpe-Young