Allfather

Allfather is a Canadian black metal band from Victoria, British Columbia, formed in 1996 and active until 2006. The group begins as a three-piece with Justin Hagberg on guitar, Craig Stewart on drums and Paul Jacobsen on vocals. Its early work includes an unreleased demo, Render to the Unlight (1996), followed by the independently released Wrath of the Bloodthirsty (1998), a six-song recording.

Line-up changes and early releases

After the first phase, Jacobsen moves from vocals to drums. Cam Pipes then joins on bass, and Chad Klassen takes over vocals. With this line-up, the band continues to play shows and records a five-song promotional MCD in 1999, again released independently. That material centres on themes of ascension and war.

Split release and label activity

Later, bass player Adam Angus joins the group. A recording made in 2001 appears on the split CD Lead us to War and Final Glory (2002), released with Realms of Darkness Productions and Dark Horizon Records. After that release, Allfather leaves those labels and seeks new support.

Weapon of Ascension

Invictus Productions then takes interest in the band, and Allfather records Weapon of Ascension, its first full-length album. By that point the line-up also includes a second guitarist, Jasper van der Veen, formerly of Fluisterwoud. The band says this addition expands its songwriting and touring options.

Style and identity

Allfather is identified as a Canadian black metal group and also described in its early releases as blackened death metal. Its named material includes a strong focus on brutality, philosophy, ascension and war.