Jorg August – Vocals, guitars
Camilo Barbosa – Lead guitars
Andres Gonzalez – Bass
David Lopez – Drums

ESHTADUR is a melodic death/black metal band from Pereira, Colombia, formed in 2005. Over the course of more than two decades, the band has developed from its early melodic black metal foundations into a darker and increasingly sophisticated form of melodic death metal, combining aggressive riffing, atmospheric arrangements and a strong sense of melody with themes centred around darkness, rebellion, human decay and despair.

The origins of ESHTADUR can be traced to late 2005, when the band began developing its sound under the leadership of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jorg August (Jorge López). Their earliest recording, the Timo Be Timo demo, appeared in 2006 and was followed by Rebellion of Angels in 2007. These formative recordings displayed a strong melodic black metal character, drawing inspiration from the darker and more symphonic side of extreme metal.

Following several changes in personnel, Jorg August gradually became the central creative force behind ESHTADUR, handling vocals, keyboards and various instrumental duties while continuing to shape the band's musical direction. During this period the group began moving away from its predominantly black metal origins and towards a heavier combination of melodic death metal and blackened extreme metal.

In 2011 ESHTADUR released Dominated by Dummies, an important step forward that introduced a more aggressive and refined approach. The album was promoted extensively through live performances in Colombia and helped establish the band beyond its local scene.

The band's profile continued to grow with Stay Away from Evil and Get Close to Me in 2013. Recorded in Colombia and produced by Jorge López together with Christopher Clancy, the album combined sharp melodic death metal riffing with blackened atmospheres, keyboards and contrasting harsh vocal styles. ESHTADUR had by this point also become an increasingly active live act, performing throughout Colombia and appearing alongside international bands including Vader and Cradle of Filth.

The Oblivion EP followed in 2015 and provided another bridge in the band's evolution. ESHTADUR increasingly concentrated on the melodic death metal elements of its music while retaining the bleak atmosphere and darkness established during its early years.

This progression culminated in the band's third major full-length, Mother Gray, released through Bleeding Music Records in 2017. The album represented one of ESHTADUR's most ambitious works to that point, with Jorg August responsible for the music and lyrics. Mixing was handled by Christopher Clancy, while Daniel Bergstrand and Lawrence Mackrory mastered the record. Darkane guitarist Christofer Malmström also contributed guest guitar solos.

Mother Gray significantly expanded ESHTADUR's international presence. Following years of performances across Colombia and Latin America, the band took its music to Europe, touring several countries, and subsequently expanded its activities into the United States and Mexico. These tours helped establish ESHTADUR as one of the more internationally visible Colombian melodic extreme metal bands.

In 2020 the band returned with its fourth full-length album, From the Abyss. The record pushed ESHTADUR even further towards a modern and forceful melodic death metal sound while preserving the blackened atmosphere that had become an identifying feature of the band's music. Songs such as “Lowborn Bastard” and “The Red Door” demonstrated a combination of muscular riffing, melodic guitar work, extreme vocals and cinematic darkness. The album received digital distribution through Blood Blast Distribution, further increasing the band's reach outside South America.

ESHTADUR remained active following From the Abyss, releasing the live recording “Desolation (Live in Greece)” in 2022 and the singles Umbra and Fire Above Mountain Below in 2023. In December 2025 the band issued Symphonic Crows, a live album highlighting another dimension of the group's dark and atmospheric approach.

Throughout its existence, ESHTADUR has undergone numerous line-up changes, with Jorg August remaining the band's driving creative force. His role as vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, composer and producer has provided continuity through the different stages of the band's development.

Musically, ESHTADUR occupies the territory between melodic death metal and blackened extreme metal. The band's early material carries obvious melodic and symphonic black metal characteristics, while later recordings place greater emphasis on powerful death metal riffing, memorable melodies and polished yet aggressive production. Despite this evolution, darkness has remained at the heart of ESHTADUR's identity.

From the Colombian underground to tours across Latin America, Europe and North America, ESHTADUR has built a career defined by persistence and continual musical development. More than twenty years after its formation, the band remains an active representative of Colombia's extreme metal scene, combining Scandinavian-inspired melodic extremity with its own distinctly dark and rebellious character.

Rebellion of Angels (Demo, 2007)
Dominated by Dummies (Album, 2011)
Stay Away from Evil and Get Close to Me (Album, 2013)
Oblivion (EP, 2015)
Mother Gray (Album, 2017)
From the Abyss (Album, 2020)
In Darkness All Shadows Gone (Album, 2026)

Melodic Black Metal/Melodic Death Metal
Colombia