Dictator

Dictator is a Cypriot funeral doom metal group that has been active since 2005. It is also described as a black metal band and a one-man project in its earlier form, with music that moves between black metal, funeral doom metal and dark ambient.

Early dark ambient work

The project begins as a dark ambient and noise outlet in mid-2005, after the founder ends the earlier incarnation and starts a new phase focused on bleak, chaotic and psychologically dark themes. Its first release is the free-download EP Fog of Death, issued after work at Necrosadistic Studios. This release presents an abrasive ambient-noise style.

Shift into funeral doom and black metal

Dictator then moves away from ambient noise into a harsher blend of funeral doom and black metal. The music is described as a distorted interpretation of funeral doom metal mixed with old-school black metal, with influences from early-to-mid-1990s funeral doom and black metal. The project also develops a strong conceptual and aesthetic focus on decadence, grief, hate and despair.

Debut EP and format details

The first doom-metal release is the debut EP The Pain Sessions, written and recorded over three months at Necrosadistic Studios. It contains two tracks and appears in very limited hand-numbered, hand-signed editions. It is first issued in 33 copies, then reissued on special-edition tape in eight copies and later on CD in another 33 copies, each version with new artwork and limited packaging.

Other acts using the name

The name Dictator is also used by several other groups, including a Norwegian band founded by members of Coprophagia, a Chilean thrash metal trio with a progressive influence, and a four-piece atmospheric rock band from West Lothian, Scotland. Another separate Dictator project plays guitar and flute-based melancholic, instrumental music with a western and country character.