Xasthur

Operated by Scott Conner, who goes by the name Malefic, Xasthur is a one-man black metal band based in Alhambra, Calif. Malefic formed the band with a traditional lineup in 1995 but had already taken the reins as the group's sole musician before releasing a debut in 2001,Nocturnal Poisoning. With a half-dozen split releases appearing alongside six full-length records as well as collaborations with SunnO))), over the course of Xasthur's existence Malefic has shown himself a tireless and prolific figure in the California extreme metal scene despite the fact that Xasthur never have (and according to Conner, never will) play live. Xasthur's heavily ambient music adheres to the traditional moves and production techniques of black metal but remains somewhat unique as the subject matter often deals with mysticism rather than Satanism and death, and addresses despair in a more metaphysical -- rather than "romantic" or gothic -- manner.