In classic greek mithology Procrùstes (derived from greek Prokroustês, meaning "the stretcher") was the nickname of a bandit named Damaste, who used to assault passersby and mangle them with an hammer after having them laid down on a bed-shaped anvil. If they proved too tall, Damaste would amputate the excessive length; if the victim was found too short, was then stretched out on the rack until she fit. Today, the expression "procrustean bed" explains an attempt to force people in conforming to an arbitrary standard, a uniformed and massified way of thinking and acting; more generically, it means an hard or intollerable situation, or an exruciating condition of spirit.

The project Damaste takes shape in 2007, emerging from the fog of years spent in a quest for the technique, the musical identity and the musicians able to fully express this tormenting condition of spirit nesting in the bowels of the project itself, fueled by influences from great bands like In Flames, Amon Amarth, Devildriver, Arch Enemy, Behemoth, and many more.

The beginning of 2008 saw the birth of the first 4-track demo-cd, “The Crumbling Vaults of the 5th Sun”, pivoting on a modern Melodic Death-Thrash sound.

From 2008 on Damaste committed themselves to an intense live activity which led the quintet to conquer stages throughout northern Italy, sharing them with important acts like Illogicist, Node, Evergrey, and to earn the final round in the Unholy Alliance Italian Competition. In 2009 they participated to the renowned
italian Babylon Magazine’s compilation “Extreme Music Aggression”.

In 2009 the band worked on the debut album, eventually mastered at Finnvox Studios, Helsinki, by Mika Jussila. The full-length, titled “Five Degrees and a Prophecy”, is the natural thematic and musical evolution of the preceding demo-cd.
It features 8 tracks of varied, technical and modern extreme metal veined with melody, for fans of both Swedish Melodeath and modern Thrash-Death.