2013 – 2014
OHEN, Slovakia’s blackened symphonic dark metal ensemble was formed by Archmage – Matúš Novanský, Matej Sloboda, Tomáš Köppl and Milan Ostrovský in 2013.
The definition of the meaning of their name, Fire, as a force that can be both creative and destructive, is at the core of their message.
MORTAL MAN
OHEN debuted in 2014 with their first full-length album Mortal Man, which introduced a distinctive fusion of dark melodic, symphonic, and black metal elements. The album is built as a conceptual work, exploring the inner conflict of a mortal man confronted with faith, guilt, sin, and moral responsibility, all framed through the symbolic perspective of a biblical god rather than a literal religious narrative. The lyrical themes of Mortal Man focus on introspection and existential struggle, using religious imagery as a metaphorical language to question authority, belief, and personal accountability.
Because of this thematic approach, the band gained attention within Christian metal circles and was occasionally labeled as “Christian black metal.” However, this categorization has always been rejected by the band. OHEN has never aligned itself with any religious doctrine or political ideology.
2015 – 2019
The years following OHEN’s debut were a period of exploration and finding the band’s own identity. By 2015, the lineup had expanded to include Maroš Olah taking over drums. A few gigs featured guest vocalist Michaela Pokorná, whose voice also appears on Mortal Man. During this period, OHEN collaborated with guitarists Marek Rakús and Martin Matiašovič, as well as violinist Bystrík Sloboda. Founding member Tomáš Köppl left the band in 2015, replaced by Barbara Hrušovská, while Matej Sloboda departed in 2016, passing the low-end duties to bassist Andrej Lencsés. Between 2016 and 2018, OHEN worked with guitarists Matej Takáč (Hecatoncheir, Damato) and Ján Gašparík, and drums were handled by Michal “Řízek” Rehák. The band entered a brief hiatus in early 2019 and they got off the concert map until 2022 when OHEN returned to the stage at Angelus Festival.
2020 – 2025
In late 2020, OHEN welcomed a new lineup that would define their next creative era: Patrik Pacher took over drums, Viliam Cibula joined on violin, and Tamás Csibri (April Weeps) added his guitar work. Together with Matúš, Barbara, and Andrej, they transformed the material prepared over previous years into what would later become the band’s second album. The band’s passion for black metal and their relentless drive to innovate their own expression culminated in „Whispering Lies„, released in the fall of 2024, showcasing OHEN’s evolved sound and artistic vision.
WHISPERING LIES
„Whispering Lies“ will take you into a world of introspective themes, where self-deception, nightmares and superficial ambitions intertwine. The songs venture behind a black veil, into the inner battlefield of the sensory labyrinth, where all old beliefs are lost and a multitude of subtle lies confront an unstable reality in search of one’s own path.
They collaborated on their songs with names as Mário Turis (April Weeps) or Shorty Lago (Old Tomb, ex-IONS) Their first single “Wintersky” was accompanied with the animated video by the renowned artist Costin Chioreanu. After release they released lyrics video for a song „Ra’s al Ghul“ and another music video for a song „Edge of Nightmares“ in 2025.
“The band skillfully balances progressive metal elements with melancholy , creating music that is not just to be listened to, but to be experienced. OHEN specifically targets an audience that craves a deeper experience – music that questions, hurts, heals, and makes you think.”
RockOn.sk
“OHEN challenges us throughout the entire recording, but before things get too complex, the band sprinkles in comprehensible elements, blending a seemingly chaotic hodgepodge of sounds into a coherent overall picture that at times reaches breathtaking proportions. Certainly highly interesting for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse, SepticFlesh, Arcturus, Borknagar, or Dimmu Borgir!”
AMMO underground
In 2025, OHEN entered a new chapter marked by significant lineup changes. Tamás Csibri left the band already in 2024 but remained as a live guitarist. Longtime member Barbara Hrušovská along with Patrik Pacher amicably parted ways with the band and decided to step down due to obligations outside the band.
2025 – TODAY
That same year, Gabriel Gorasz (ex-Besna) joined the band, followed by guitarists Andrej Feješ and Fouad Ait Ahmad, reshaping the instrumental foundation of the group. With this transformation, founding member Matúš Novanský stepped fully into the role of a dedicated frontman and vocalist. Female vocal duties were subsequently taken over by Kristína Poloncová, continuing the established vocal dimension within the band’s sound.
Today, OHEN has emerged stronger, forging a more powerful and cohesive live presence. The current formation brings increased intensity, precision, and emotional depth, transforming the band into a commanding force on stage while staying true to its dark, introspective core.
OHEN MEMBERS
Matúš Archmage Novanský – Guitars, Orchestration, Vocals, (2013-present)
Andrej Lencsés – Bass, Vocals (2016-present)
Viliam Cibula – Violin (2020-present)
Gabriel Gorasz – Drums (2025-present) – ex-Besna
Andrej Feješ – Guitars (2025-present) – ex-Dusk Within
Fouad Ait Ahmad – Guitars (2025-present)
Kristína Poloncová – Vocals (2025-present)
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Milan Ostrovský – Concept, Lyrics, General support (2013-present)
Co-founding, former Ohen Members
Matej Sloboda – Bass, Vocals (2013-2016)
Tomáš Köppl – Keyboards, Orchestration (2013-2015)
Former Ohen Members
Barbora Hrušovská – Keytar, Vocals (2015-2025)
Patrik Pacher – Drums (2020-2025)
Tamás Csibri – Guitars (2020-2024) – April Weeps
Maroš Olah – Drums (2014-2016)
Michal Řízek Rehák – Drums (2016-2018)
Marek Rakús – Guitars (2015)
Martin Matiašovič – Guitars (2015-2016, live) – Shaped in Dreams, Divine X
Matej Takáč – Guitars (2016) – Damato, Hecatoncheir, ex-Old Tomb
Ján Gašparík – Guitars (2017-2018)
Bystrík Sloboda – Violin (2015-2018)
