BETRAYER is a death metal band originating from Poland, formed in 1989 in Słupsk. Initially established as a thrash metal quartet, the band recorded its first demo, "Forbidden Personality," in 1990. That same year, a lineup change brought Piotr "BERIAL" Kuziola, the bassist and vocalist from the prominent Polish underground metal band SLAUGHTER, into the fold. Berial's addition, along with his takeover of vocal duties, propelled BETRAYER towards heavier and more extreme sounds, marking a pivotal moment in the band's evolution.
In 1991, BETRAYER released their second demo, "Necronomical Exmortis," recorded at the CCS studio in Warsaw and published by CARNAGE RECORDS. This demo received significant acclaim, earning the #2 spot in the "Album of the Year" category in the THRASH'EM ALL MAGAZINE summary for that year. It is still considered a landmark release in the history of Polish death metal, with BETRAYER finishing fourth in the overall band poll.
The band continued to grow, performing numerous concerts while developing new material. In January 1994, they entered the MODERN SOUND STUDIO in Gdynia to record their first full-length album, "Calamity," which was released by NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS and distributed globally. At the time, it was one of the most significant Polish death metal albums alongside VADER’s debut, solidifying BETRAYER's strong presence in the domestic metal scene. Today, "Calamity" is regarded as a cult classic and a foundational work in the genre's development in Poland.
Over the years, BETRAYER has played at numerous prestigious events, enhancing their reputation within the metal community. They have participated in festivals such as METALMANIA, DEATH METAL FESTIVAL, DRAMMA, SHARK ATTACK, S’TRASH'YDŁO, and JAROCIN, sharing the stage with renowned acts including MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE, DEATH, CARCASS, and CANNIBAL CORPSE, among others, as well as prominent Polish bands like VADER, KAT, and ARMAGEDON.
However, shortly after the release of "Calamity," the departure of vocalist Ripper significantly affected the band’s morale, leading to a hiatus after several months of challenges and ultimately resulting in the band's dissolution.
In late 2012, after an 18-year absence, Berial, supported by guitarist Krzysztof Tubaja and drummer Piotr "VJADER" Majka, reformed BETRAYER, preparing for a comeback with new material. The band aimed to release a new album but first needed to perform live shows. With the addition of second guitarist Slawek "MOKRY" Tomkiewicz, BETRAYER made their return at the Ragnarock Open Air Festival in Germany in July 2013, marking their first live performance since reuniting. This was followed by several additional concerts, which received positive feedback, reaffirming BETRAYER's strong presence in the death metal landscape.
In June 2014, BETRAYER performed at the AAAAAAARRGHH SZCZECIN EXTREME FEST, serving as the main support for the American band OBITUARY. During this time, in collaboration with Fallen Temple, they released a limited edition 7” vinyl split featuring "Beware," an unmastered version of one of their new songs, along with a corresponding music video.
Towards the end of 2014, BETRAYER signed with Mystic Production, and in March 2015, in partnership with Witching Hour Productions, they launched their album "Infernum In Terra." This record, comprising nine tracks and nearly forty minutes of traditional old school death metal, was recorded and mixed in the band’s private Antubis Studio and mastered at the renowned Hertz Studio, known for its work with bands like Vader and Behemoth.
Following the release, BETRAYER embarked on the "Infernum In Poland Tour 2015," performing at various venues and festivals across Poland, further establishing their reputation as a vital and respected entity within the Polish death metal scene. Currently, the band is working on material for their third full album and plans to re-release their debut work, "Calamity."
The current lineup of BETRAYER consists of:
- Piotr "BERIAL" Kuziola - vocals, bass
- Krzysztof "TUBAYA" Tubaja - guitars
- Arek "KOZAK" Kozakiewicz - drums