Chryst
Austrian avant-garde metal project evolving through three name changes.
Chryst is an Austrian avant-garde and extreme metal project that began in 1990. It started as a band called Korova, later became Korovakill, and finally settled on the name Chryst. The name Korova is the Russian word for "cow" and also references the Korova Milk Bar from Anthony Burgess's novel *A Clockwork Orange*.
The project was founded in Innsbruck by Christof Niederwieser, who later sang on the first two Angizia albums, along with Michael Kröll, Moritz Neuner (known for work with Dornenreich, Abigor, Graveworm, Leaves' Eyes, and Angizia), and Georg Razesberger. Their debut album, *A Kiss in the Charnel Fields*, came out in 1995. After Kröll and Razesberger left in 1997, they were replaced by Florian Oberlechner, Herwing Huber, Susanne Eckbauer, and Martina Astner, while Neuner stayed. This lineup released *Dead Like an Angel* in 1998, the last record under the name Korova. Two years later, the band changed its name to Korovakill.
As Korovakill, Niederwieser and Neuner worked with keyboardist Renaud Tschirner of Elend. This trio released one album, *Waterhells*, in 2001. The webzine AGM later ranked it the seventh best experimental metal album of the 2000s.
On September 21, 2011, Niederwieser released a solo album, *PhantasmaChronica*, under the name Chryst. On the project's website, he described the name change as a deconstruction of the Occident, calling Chryst the birth of a new world and an inverse universe meant to change the listener's world forever. He stated that the transformation from Korovakill to Chryst was not just a name change but a new era of musical revolution.
The only constant member across all incarnations has been Christof Niederwieser, who handles vocals, guitar, and keyboards. Past members include Moritz Neuner (drums, 1990–2011), Renaud Tschirner (keyboards, 2000–2011), Michael Kröll (bass, 1990–1997), Georg Razesberger (guitars, 1990–1997), Florian Oberlechner (bass and accordion, 1997–2000), Herwing Huber (guitars, 1997–2000), Susanne Eckbauer (theremin and glass organ, 1997–2000), and Martina Astner (vocals, 1997–2001). The discography consists of *A Kiss in the Charnel Fields* (1995, as Korova), *Dead Like an Angel* (1998, as Korova), *Waterhells* (2001, as Korovakill), and *PhantasmaChronica* (2011, as Chryst).
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Avant-garde metal, extreme metal, black metal
- Alias
- Korova (1990–2000) / Korovakill (2000–2011)
- Origin
- Innsbruck, Austria
- Years Active
- 1990–present
- Label
- Napalm Records, Red Stream, Omniversal Records
- Associated Acts
- Angizia, Graveworm, Abigor, Leaves' Eyes, Elend, Dornenreich
- Current Members
- Christof Niederwieser
- Past Members
- Michael Kröll / Georg Razesberger / Florian Oberlechner / Herwing Huber / Susanne Eckbauer / Martina Astner
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
On 21 September 2011, Christof released a solo album, PhantasmaChronica, under the moniker Chryst. On Chryst's official website he said of the band's name change: 'Chryst is a deconstruction of the Occident. He's the birth of a new world, an inverse universe, created to change your world forever. The revelation is near. Chryst will open the doors of your perception and unearth the hidden treasures of your imagination. The transformation of Korovakill into Chryst is not just a change of name. It's a completely new era of musical revolution!'
Reader's Guide
Chryst represents the final evolution of a musical project that began in 1990 as Korova, a name derived from the Russian word for 'cow' and an allusion to the Korova Milk Bar in Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. The project's significance lies in its stylistic shifts across three names and its association with notable Austrian extreme metal musicians, including Moritz Neuner, who played with Dornenreich, Abigor, Graveworm, Leaves' Eyes, and Angizia. The album Waterhells, released under the name Korovakill, received recognition as the 7th best experimental metal album of the 2000s by the webzine AGM. Christof Niederwieser's decision to continue as a one-man band under the name Chryst marked a new era, with the 2011 album PhantasmaChronica being the first release under that moniker. The project's legacy is tied to its avant-garde approach and the persistent creative vision of its founder.
Did You Know?
- The band's former name Korova is Russian for 'cow' and also alludes to the Korova Milk Bar in Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange.
- Christof Niederwieser provided vocals for Angizia's first two studio albums.
- Moritz Neuner played drums for Dornenreich, Abigor, Graveworm, Leaves' Eyes, and Angizia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chryst?
Chryst is an Austrian avant-garde and extreme metal project that traces its roots back to 1990 in Innsbruck. The group cycled through two earlier names—Korova and Korovakill—before adopting Chryst as its lasting identity.
Why did the band go through multiple name changes?
The project first appeared as Korova, a word meaning "cow" in Russian that also evokes the Korova Milk Bar in Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange. After a brief stint as Korovakill, the members settled on Chryst as their permanent moniker.
Who founded Chryst and who else was in the original lineup?
Christof Niederwieser, Michael Kröll, Moritz Neuner, and Georg Razesberger put the project together in Innsbruck. Neuner later gained wider recognition through his work with Dornenreich, Abigor, Graveworm, and Leaves' Eyes, while Niederwieser went on to sing on the first two Angizia albums.
How does Chryst connect to the band Angizia?
Chryst's founder Christof Niederwieser later provided vocals for Angizia's first two records, and original Chryst member Moritz Neuner also contributed to that project. This shared personnel makes the two Austrian acts closely intertwined in the country's extreme-metal scene.
What is Chryst's debut album?
The group's first full-length release is titled A Kiss. It stands as the earliest recorded output of what would become one of Austria's more distinctive avant-garde metal outfits.
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