Cthuluminati to release "Tentacula"

Long before the name Cthuluminati cast its shadow over the Dutch metal scene, the story began with Marquis. This solo project, initiated in 2005 by ambitious musician and visionary Devi Hisgen, gave rise to a torrent of atmospheric and experimental black metal. With a relentless creative drive, Devi quickly built a loyal following, earning critical acclaim for his work. However, side projects and live collaborations with other bands led to a temporary pause for Marquis.

Still, the desire to bring his music to the stage never faded. Determined to revive his solo work in a live setting, Devi began searching for like-minded musicians who could bring his vision to life. After a period of trial and error, the lineup took shape with Rami Wohl on guitar and Stefan Strausz on bass. Together, they started playing shows and creating new material. The input from his bandmates added a fresh dynamic to the music, gradually steering it into new, uncharted territory.

When their drummer left due to personal reasons, the band faced a pivotal moment. By then, the music had evolved into an eclectic fusion of styles that transcended the roots of Marquis. Embracing this new direction, the group decided to start anew, rebranding themselves as Cthuluminati. The name signified not only a fresh beginning but also a commitment to boundless creativity, untethered by genre or expectation.

Armed with new material but lacking a permanent drummer, the band invited Rick Lieffering, drummer of black-folk metal band Fenris, to join them in the studio. Rick recorded the entirety of Reliqideus—their ambitious debut album—and also played drums for several live shows. Around the same time, Cthuluminati released their first single, "El Lizard Birth" (2016), a track written during the Marquis era. The song served as a harbinger of their transformation: a journey from atmospheric black ’n roll to the eclectic, psychedelic, and avant-garde metal that defines Cthuluminati today.