Crematory is a German gothic metal band that was founded in January 1991 in Westhofen, Rhineland-Palatinate, by drummer Markus Jüllich and guitarist Lothar Först. Shortly afterwards, singer Gerhard "Felix" Stass, bassist Marc Zimmer and keyboardist Katrin Jüllich join the band. The latter became a permanent member in 1992. The band combines elements of death metal, gothic metal, industrial metal and Neue Deutsche Härte. The debut album Transmigration is released on Massacre Records in 1993. This is followed by ...Just Dreaming (1994) and Illusions (1995), which further develop the band's style. In 1996, Crematory released the self-titled album Crematory, which entered the German charts at number 87. With Awake (1997), the band reached number 54 in the charts and consolidated their status in the scene. After a brief break-up in 2001, the band returned in 2003 and released Revolution (2004), which reached number 47. This was followed by Klagebilder (2006, position 66), Pray (2008, position 64), Infinity (2010), Antiserum (2014, position 66), Monument (2016, position 72), Oblivion (2018, position 36) and Unbroken (2020, position 44). The album Inglorious Darkness is released in 2022 and reaches number 17 in the German charts, the band's highest placing to date. The album Destination is released at the beginning of May 2025 and reaches number 8 in the German charts.
