Abonos
Serbian gothic metal band from Belgrade.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Abonos (Serbian Cyrillic: Абонос; trans. Ebony) is a Serbian gothic metal band from Belgrade. The group was formed in late 1999. Its original lineup included guitarist Jakša Vlahović, his sister Marta Vlahović on vocals and keyboards, Marija Dokmanović on vocals and keyboards, guitarist Nikola Vrhovac, bassist and vocalist Vladimir Lalić, and drummer Milan Janković. Jakša Vlahović and Marta Vlahović are siblings and the children of graphic artist Jugoslav Vlahović, a former member of Porodična Manufaktura Crnog Hleba. Jakša Vlahović previously played guitar for the speed/thrash metal band Bombarder until 2010, and drummer Milan Janković also drums for Bombarder.
In 2001, the band recorded a six-song demo. The following year, their track "Izlaz" ("Exit") appeared on the compilation *Demo Express 202*, released by Rock Express Records with Radio 202. Their debut self-titled album was recorded in 2003 at Kazablanka Studio in Belgrade and officially released on December 6, 2004, through the band’s own label, Porodična Manufaktura. In 2006, Vrhovac, Lalić, and Marta Vlahović left the band; they were replaced by Jovan Prokopić (Seraphim) and Tomas Ljumović, respectively.
In 2007, Abonos released the single "Urlik" ("Howl"), which was included with the poetry book *Oka da ne ispustim dah* by Milan B. Popović, who also wrote the lyrics for the song. Jakša Vlahović designed the book’s covers and illustrations. The single was produced by Srđan Branković of the band Alogia. The single served as an announcement of a forthcoming studio album. In 2010, "Urlik" appeared on the compilation *Vreme brutalnih dobronamernika*, featuring seventeen bands performing songs based on Popović’s poems.
Jakša Vlahović and Marija Dokmanović, both professional graphic artists, created the band’s complete visual identity, including its logo, CD covers, posters, and T-shirts.
- formed
- end of 1999
- origin
- Belgrade, Serbia
- genre
- gothic metal
- nationality
- Serbian
- known_for
- self-titled debut album (2004), visual identity by members
Lore & Background
Abonos was formed at the end of 1999 with an original lineup that included guitarist Jakša Vlahović, his sister Marta Vlahović (vocals, keyboards), Marija Dokmanović (vocals, keyboards), Nikola Vrhovac (guitar), Vladimir Lalić (vocals, bass guitar), and Milan Janković (drums). In 2001, they recorded their first official demo featuring six songs, and in 2002 appeared on the various artists album Demo Express 202 with the song 'Izlaz' ('Exit').
The band recorded their debut self-titled album in Kazablanka Studio in Belgrade during 2003, releasing it on December 6, 2004, through their own label Porodična Manufaktura. In 2006, Vrhovac, Lalić, and Marta Vlahović left, replaced by Jovan Prokopić and Tomas Ljumović. In 2007, the band released the single 'Urlik' ('Howl'), given with a book of poems by Milan B. Popović, who wrote the lyrics. Jakša Vlahović designed the book covers and illustrated the book.
Reader's Guide
Abonos occupies a niche in Serbian gothic metal, notable for its self-released debut album and the involvement of family members—the Vlahović siblings—whose father, Jugoslav Vlahović, was a graphic artist and former member of Porodična Manufaktura Crnog Hleba. The band's visual identity, crafted by Jakša Vlahović and Marija Dokmanović, both professional graphic artists, underscores a DIY aesthetic. Their single 'Urlik' appeared on the 2010 various artists album Vreme brutalnih dobronamernika, linking them to a broader poetic collaboration. Though the band's active output is limited to one studio album and a single, their formation in 1999 and continued presence on social media suggest a lasting, if intermittent, presence in the Serbian metal scene. The band's legacy is tied to its self-sufficiency and the artistic contributions of its members beyond music.
Did You Know?
- Jakša Vlahović and Marta Vlahović are brother and sister, children of graphic artist Jugoslav Vlahović.
- Drummer Milan Janković is also the drummer for the speed/thrash metal band Bombarder.
- The band's debut album was released on their own label, Porodična Manufaktura.
- The single 'Urlik' was given with a book of poems by Milan B. Popović, who wrote the lyrics.
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