Iniquity (band)
Danish death metal band with three full-length albums.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Iniquity was a Danish death metal group formed in 1989 in Copenhagen. Over their career, they released three full-length studio albums and several demos and EPs, evolving from a traditional death-thrash style to a more doom-influenced sound with lyrics inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. The band disbanded in 2004 but held reunion shows in 2013 and 2014.
- formed
- 1989
- origin
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- genre
- Death metal
- years_active
- 1989–2004, 2012–2013, 2014
- labels
- Emanzipation Productions, Diehard Music Worldwide, Mighty Music
- last_album
- Grime (2001)
Lore & Background
Iniquity was formed in 1989 by Peter Houd, Brian Petrowsky, and Morten Hansen. After early demos and compilation appearances, the band temporarily split, then reformed with Jacob Olsen on drums. The band shifted from traditional death-thrash to a gloomier, doom-inspired style, adding keyboardist Carsten Nielsen. Morten Hansen left and was replaced by Claus Zeeberg. After further lineup changes, including the addition of guitarist Mads Haarløv, the band recorded their debut album Serenadium, released in 1996 through Emanzipation Productions (a sub-division of Diehard Music Worldwide).
A complete lineup change in 1997 led to the EP The Hidden Lore (1998), which received high praise in German metal magazines. Their second album Five Across the Eyes was released in 1999, followed by Grime in 2001. A best-of compilation, Iniquity Bloody Iniquity, appeared in 2003 before the band disbanded in 2004. Members later formed or joined bands such as Strangler, Downlord, Corpus Mortale, and Daemon.
The band reunited in 2012 with the The Hidden Lore lineup, playing shows in 2013. After some cancellations, they reformed again in 2014 to fulfill those performances.
Reader's Guide
Iniquity's significance lies in their stylistic evolution within the Danish death metal scene, moving from a traditional death-thrash approach to a more atmospheric, doom-tinged sound. Their adoption of H.P. Lovecraft-inspired lyrics and use of keyboards set them apart from many contemporaries. The band's three full-length albums—Serenadium, Five Across the Eyes, and Grime—document this progression. Their EP The Hidden Lore earned notable critical acclaim in Germany. Though they never achieved widespread commercial success, Iniquity influenced later Danish extreme metal acts and maintained a dedicated underground following. Their legacy is preserved through their discography and the continued activity of former members in other projects.
Did You Know?
- Iniquity appeared on the 1992 compilation 'Fuck You We're from Denmark' with the song 'Torn'.
- The band's EP 'The Hidden Lore' received a 7/7 rating in Germany's Hammer magazine.
- After disbanding, members formed the bands Strangler, Downlord, and Corpus Mortale.
- Iniquity reunited in 2012 with the 'The Hidden Lore' lineup and played shows in 2013 and 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Iniquity?
Iniquity is a Danish death metal band that got started in Copenhagen back in 1989. Over their active years they put out three full-length studio albums along with a handful of demos and EPs.
What style of metal does Iniquity play?
They began in a fairly traditional death-thrash vein but gradually leaned into a slower, doom-inflected sound as their career progressed. Lyrically, the group drew heavily on the cosmic-horror imagery of H.P. Lovecraft.
What albums did Iniquity release?
The band's final full-length record was Grime, which came out in 2001, capping off a discography of three studio albums. They also recorded several demos and EPs, distributing their work through labels such as Emanzipation Productions, Diehard Music Worldwide, and Mighty Music.
When did Iniquity break up and did they ever reunite?
The group called it quits in 2004 after roughly fifteen years of recording and touring. They later regrouped for reunion shows in 2013 and again in 2014.
Why is Iniquity notable in the Danish metal scene?
As one of the longer-running death metal acts to come out of Copenhagen, they carved out a distinctive niche by blending aggressive thrash roots with Lovecraftian doom. Their roughly fifteen-year active span (1989–2004) makes them a reference point for fans of early Scandinavian death metal.
More in Danish heavy metal musical groups 1-22
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