In the wake of the second wave of black metal or “norsecore”, if you will, Israthoum was formed in 1992 in Portugal under the Tolkien-inspired name of Grendel, by drummer Arvath and guitar player Arluth Dhu. Soon after Voxinferi a.k.a. Israth and his psycho shrieks joined as vocalist.  “Monument of Brimstone” isn't anymore held in the confines of harsh norsecore only, Israthoum has grown to display melancholic folkish tendencies usually connected with the early Emperor/early Borknagar tradition.

• “It's nice to hear that there still are bands out there that try to continue black metal, solely in the "2nd wave" style, which was made popular by such acts as DARKTHRONE, GORGOROTH and others. ISRATHOUM is a band from the Netherlands with a great deal of balls and ambition. ” (Metal-archives.com)

• “MOB sees them back with the oppressive atmospherics and sense of the theatrically horrific that’s defined their presence on the scene thus far.” (Kerrang)