Absynthium was founded in November 1996 by Peter Bloemen (guitars) and Kevin Schutters (bass). It was February 1997 when guitarist Bob Ceyssens joined the band and with him Evy Hoydonkx on flute... With that line-up the search began for a drummer and a singer... In November 1997 when Absynthium enlisted Jurgen Erken on vocals, but his joining meant the end of the cooperation with Bob and Evi... But also Jurgen wouldn"t last too long... He was kicked out of the band at the end of 1997. In January 1998 Peter then took the vocals upon himself and again the search continued for another guitarist and a descent drummer... In August Absynthium played its very first gig, and for that gig the line-up was completed by Wouter Winters (guitars, Signs Of Darkness) and William Bloemen (drums, Downfall) as session members. In September 1998 Absynthium found another guitarist in Niki Driessen. It was February 1999 when Kevin announced his departure, and the search for replacement began. In May 1999 JP Theevissen joined the ranks as a drummer and shortly after that Wouter Winters joined us on bass. By the end of "99 Wouter told that playing bass wasn"t his thing since he is a guitarist, and left. In the beginning of 2000 Kurt Koppens joined as replacement for Wouter, but wouldn"t last long since he wasn"t capable of keeping up with the rest. By the time Kurt was thrown out, JP announced he had stopped playing the drums and so Absynthium was back to a duo. By August 2000 the tensions with Niki had risen too high and Peter asked Niki to leave. After this Peter went on alone and tried to find a new line-up. In January 2001 Kurt rejoined Absynthium. It was difficult but he could keep up (although it was barely), and soon after his joining Jochen Schrijvers joined on guitars. Jochen wouldn"t stay long and left... In May 2001 Wouter rejoined the ranks, this time on guitars. Also in May Absynthium found another singer in Bart Hubrechts (Hubie). It"s June 2001 when the band decides to kick out Kurt again because his playing improved much slower than the growth of his ego... Hubie took over the bass (since he was originally a bass player). In July 2001 Absynthium found a new drummer, Kristof, who was playing with Hubie in another band called Solipsist. By August 2001 thing took a turn for the worse as Hubie shows a great lack of dedication for the band... To prevent a certain demise of the band, Peter took the vocal part back upon himself. Since no improvement was made towards the lack of dedication, Hubie got kicked out. This and the decision to return to the original rehearsalroom also meant the loss of Kristof. By September 2001 Ruud Gysen joined us on drums. Ruud is just like Wouter a member of Signs Of Darkness. In December 2001 resigned Peter from the vocal duty once again, to focus on the guitarplaying. A new singer was found rapidly in Kevin Vangelooven. Kevin was also active in Celebrant. In March 2002 Joris Meeuwissen joins Absynthium as a bassplayer. By this event, the line-up is complete for the second time in the whole history of the band. This line-up began to prepare for future recordings and gigs... It is May 2002 when Wouter left Absynthium because he could no longer combine his privatelife with two bands and so in August 2002 Jochen Schrijvers rejoins the ranks to fill the gap Wouter left. Around September 2002 Kevin announced that he was leaving Absynthium due to problems with his voice. This left him unable to sing in the band and once again Peter takes the vocals upon him. In April 2003 just like Kevin with his voice, Peter now has problems with his Jaw. Which leaves him unable to perform the vocal tasks. Therefor the band is without a singer once again. Yet within a month"s time the spot is filled by former member Bart Hubrechts who was asked to rejoin and did so. Joris mentioned him being unable to keep playing in Absynthium and a replacement would be found in Wesley Van Gaver. By May 2003 it was clear that things did not work out between the band and Wesley musically. Joris rejoined the band. At the doorstep of autumn in October 2003 Hubie decides to leave the band to start up his own business. Raymond takes over the job from Hubie. Raymond wouldn't stay too long and by November 2003 he allready left the band. About a good week after Raymond left we found a replacement in Bert. With Bert"s joining the line-up would prove complete and stable again. On May 8th 2004 the band performs the first gig in a long time with the new line-up. In November 2004 Absynthium records it"s debutdemo "Hatestorm" set to be released by the end of the same year