Hortus Animae

Hortus Animae is a progressive black metal band from Northern and Central Italy. They formed in 1997 in the town of Rimini, Italy. After the release of their self-produced debut "The Melting Idols", they began an active live streak with bands like Lacuna Coil, Ancient, and Napalm Death. Upon opening for the Norwegian black metal band Ancient in Padova, Italy, the band developed a friendship with the drummer Grom, who soon after joined the band out of admiration for their work and made it his primary side-project.