TARTHARIA was formed by Antti (guitars& bass&music) and Tahvo (vocals&lyrics) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in November 2002. Both founders had considerable experience within Russian extreme underground which helped them a lot with the new band.

It took TARTHARIA just about four months to prepare new material. In April 2003 TARTHARIA appeared in ASTIA-A Studio, Lappeenranta, Finland, to record a debut with famous Anssi Kippo as sound producer (Children Of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, To/Die/For, Entwine). Anssi Kippo did his keen job thoroughly, his work was as ever beyond estimation. Kippo's words of TARTHARIA: "The band has very unique songs and very brutal feel and vocals".

After the recording was complete the material was mastered at famous FINNVOX studio, Helsinki with Mikka Jussila. Then the album got its title - A SECRET DEVICE by the name of one of five expressive tracks. The important task to find an artwork was fulfilled in the most appropriate way.

TARTHARIA purchased an enchanting work by John Santerineross (American ceramist, painter and photographer) - The Invention Of God - that provoking image suits the gloomy doctrine of the debut MCD. Nicely recorded and released death/black metal A SECRET DEVICE got a vivid response and showed big potential of the band. In winter 2003 TARTHARIA entered studio to record full length album ABSTRACT NATION. Mixed by Anssi Kippo, more original, more thrashy and melodic ABSTRACT NATION reveals TARTHARIA's development and proves TARTHARIA to be one of the most prominent studio and live acts on East European scene.