Zyklon B

Zyklon B (German pronunciation: [tsykloːn ˈbeː]; anglicized /ˈzaɪklɒn ˈbiː/ or translated Cyclone B) was the trade name of a cyanide-based pesticide invented in Germany in the early 1920s. It consisted of hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid), a warning eye irritant, and one of several adsorbents such as diatomaceous earth. The product is infamous for its use by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust to murder a million people in gas chambers installed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Majdanek, and other extermination camps.

Hydrogen cyanide, a poisonous gas that interferes with cellular respiration, was first used as a pesticide in California in the 1880s. Research at Degesch of Germany led to the development of Zyklon (later known as Zyklon A), a pesticide which released hydrogen cyanide upon exposure to water and heat. It was banned after a similar product was used by Germany as a chemical weapon in World War I. In 1922, Degesch was purchased by Degussa, where a team of chemists that included Walter Heerdt and Bruno Tesch developed a method of packaging hydrogen cyanide in sealed canisters along with a warning irritant and adsorbent stabilizers. The new product was also named Zyklon, but it became known as Zyklon B to distinguish it from the earlier version. Uses included delousing clothing and disinfecting ships, warehouses, and trains.

Zyklon-B (band)

Zyklon-B was a Norwegian black metal band founded in 1995.

The band’s members were Tomas "Samoth" Thormodsæter Haugen (guitar and bass) and Vegard "Ihsahn" Sverre Tveitan (keyboard) from Emperor, Kjetil "Frost" Haraldstad (Drums) from Satyricon and Björn "Aldrahn" Dencker Gjerde (vocals) from Dødheimsgard. Their lyrics deal mainly with death, apocalypse and warfare. The band recorded only one EP; other versions of the featured songs were featured on split releases with Mayhem and Swordmaster.

The band Zyklon featuring members of Zyklon-B is often thought to be the same band, which is wrong. The name refers to Zyklon B, a gas used in gas chambers during the Holocaust. However, the band states that "Zyklon-B is not related to any political or racial preference".

Discography

Zyklon

Zyklon was a Norwegian blackened death metal band formed in 1998 by Samoth and Trym of Emperor, along with members of Myrkskog. Their style has been described as modern death metal with black and industrial undertones. After more than a 2-year hiatus, the band officially split up in January 2010.

All the band's lyrics were written by former Emperor drummer Faust, then member of Casey Chaos' side project SCUM and Italian industrial black metal band Aborym.

Despite Samoth having been in a previous Emperor side project called Zyklon-B, the two are not related; Zyklon B is the name of a lethal gas used by the Nazis during the Holocaust; "Zyklon" is, according to Samoth, a play on the word "cyclone", since the word is spelled syklon in Norwegian.

Biography

Zyklon's debut album, World ov Worms, showcased extremely fast riffing and blast beats. However, after this release, Zyklon's line-up changed drastically, and the official line-up became Samoth, Trym Torson, Destructhor, and Secthdamon.

Zyklon's second album, Aeon, exposed the band to media attention, and videos were made for two tracks, "Core Solution" and "Psyklon Aeon".

Zyklon (comics)

Der Zyklon is a fictional villain created by DC Comics. He was created by Roy Thomas and first appeared in All-Star Squadron #45 (May 1985).

Fictional character biography

The name Zyklon is a reference to Zyklon B, the poison used in the gas chambers during the holocaust. Zyklon was given the power to move at superhuman speeds by scientists of the Third Reich. His first mission was to aid his fellow operative Baron Blitzkrieg, in stealing the Liberty Bell. They were opposed by Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle, (who were then members of the All-Star Squadron) as well as the Liberty Bell's night guard Tom Revere. Blitzkrieg proceeded to hurl Tom towards a wall. Johnny Quick attempted to catch him but was stopped by Zyklon. Tom died, and Liberty Belle swore revenge on Zyklon. The two Nazis then fled with the bell. The Baron wanted the Bell, because it contained strange energies. He intended to destroy Philadelphia, however his plans were disrupted by Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, Hawkgirl and the Golden Age Flash. While the heroes destroyed his machine, Liberty Belle was struck by a beam of lightning which endowed her with her Sonic Pulse Power. The villains then fled.

Zyklon (disambiguation)

Zyklon is the German word for cyclone.

It may also refer to: