The new album starts with something that sounds like a sacred sermon. In just a few seconds the mood changes, from holy to hellish. It sets the tone for the rest of the album. Although "Doctrine" is not a concept album in a traditional sense, the songs are tied together thematically. The lyrics deal with the various ways humanity often suffers under the burden of religion, doctrines and politics. "I always put a lot of effort in the lyrics", says Patrick Mameli. "I never felt the need to write so called gore lyrics, like so many other bands do. I am aware of what is going on in the world and I have the feeling that I have something to say about it."
The curse of religious and political oppression is a theme that fits the music perfectly. "Doctrine" is by far the most extreme album the Dutch death metal band Pestilence unleashed to its worldwide fan base. The album proves at the same time that even after 25 years the band is still willing to take chances. It offers thought provoking lyrics, dissonant chords, complex rhythm patterns and an assault of low tuned monster riffs. Intensity is the key word. Like it always has been.
Pestilence started in 1986. Initially the band was heavily influenced by American and German thrash metal. By the time of their second album, "Consuming Impulse" from 1989, the band had developed its own style: brutal death metal. In the years that followed Pestilence became one of the prime bands in the international death metal scene. The group, based around guitarist, songwriter and (then occasional) vocalist Patrick Mameli, toured relentlessly. Especially tours in the US proved to be very successful.
The band became more skilled over the years, and outside influences crept into the music. This all lead in 1993 to the album "Spheres", on which Patrick Mameli combined his well loved death metal sound with a new musical passion: fusion. The album was an artistic triumph, but was at the same time many years ahead of its time. In 1994 Pestilence disbanded and Patrick Mameli withdrew from the music scene.
The band announced its comeback in 2008. Any possible skepticism was blown away when in 2009 the new album "Resurrection Macabre" hit the streets. The still loyal fan base was treated with an album that had all the classic ingredients, but showed an even better musicianship than before. The international line up consisted of singer and guitarist Patrick Mameli, bass player Tony Choy, drummer Peter Wildoer and guitarist Patrick Uterwijk. After the release of the album the band toured Europe, The US and South America, playing for old fans and metal maniacs that were way too young the first time around. "The magic was there again", says Patrick Mameli, looking back.
Never a band to rest on its laurels Pestilence will again blow away the audience with the brand new studio recording. The sound on the album is dominated by the eight string guitars that both Patrick Mameli and Patrick Uterwijk started to use in the period leading up to the album. It gives the songs a brutal, low edged sound that sets a new standard in extreme metal. "The eight string guitar opened a lot of new doors for us", says Patrick Mameli. "It gives us lots of new musical options and allows us to make the music sound more brutal than before. At the same time it forced me to sing in a higher pitch, because I didn"t want to get my vocals in the way of the low tuned guitar parts. It was a blessing in disguise. My vocals sound more intense and manic than before."
"Doctrine" marks also a partly new line up that is entirely Dutch again. Jeroen Paul Thesseling was already around during the "Spheres" days. The latest addition is 23 year old drummer Yuma van Eekelen, who is also making his name as member of The New Dominion. "It was partly out of idealism that I returned in 2008 with an international line up", recalls Patrick Mameli. "It was a great experience, but it was very hard to really work together due to the distance and time. For instance, we never had the possibility to practice on a regular basis. We do now. We exchange ideas, go out together and tell each other which cool albums to check out. Just like in the old tape trader days. It"s great. Pestilence finally feels like a real band again."
Although Massacre were hampered by unstable line-ups for much of their career, they, along with Morbid Angel and the late Chuck Schuldiner (RIP), helped originate and shape the genre of Florida Death Metal and have influenced countless bands that came later- everyone from Napalm Death to Entombed cite them as a major influence. Pre-Massacre, both Kam Lee and Rick Rozz were original members of Death along with Chuck. Death was still unsigned at that time, making demos as a three piece (playing without bass), and Kam himself drew the famous Death logo. Kam is widely acknowledged as being the originator of the gutteral death-growl vocal style which has since become the de-facto standard in Death Metal.
Massacre played countless shows in mid 80’s Florida before the spotlight fell on the area, influencing the later wave of bands from Deicide to Obituary to follow their lead. The band were put on hold however, when Chuck Schuldiner relocated back from LA to his native Florida and promptly recruited Rick, Bill and Terry to record the second Death Album “Leprosy”, for Combat Records . After completing commitments to Death, Massacre finally regrouped in 1990, signed with Earache, and entered Morrissound Studios in Tampa Florida, with UK producer Colin Richardson at the helm to finally deliver their debut album “From Beyond”. Though released much later than many of their death metal contemporaries, all the songs recorded were from the widely circulated demos/live tapes of 5 years previously, including “Corpsegrinder”, a simple but effective track which featured on Death’s first demo but was actually written by Rick and Kam. The album is a certified classic of the genre.
With line up intact, the band finally embarked on a punishing touring schedule to make up for lost time, visiting Europe with Texas’ Devastation and Germany’s Morgoth supporting. In 1992 the band recorded a follow up EP “Inhuman Conditions” which included a rare guest appearance from Venom’s Cronos on their cover of Warhead. More touring followed its release, with the band visiting Europe again in 1993,this time with Grave and Demolition Hammer in tow. On their return however the band effectively split up, the rhythm section of Bill and Terry were in demand to record for other groups and both now play in Six Feet Under.
In 1996 Kam and Rick regrouped to record a second album for Earache, recruiting drummer Syrus Peters and Pete Sison on bass to deliver “Promise”. The album showcased a more varied metal style, still with the trademark guitar heaviness, but was poorly received by fans, though the inspired cover of Concrete Blonde’s “Bloodletting” is an undiscovered classic to this day. Soon after its release, the band folded once more.
Ancient Ascendant are a British based quartet pioneering a unique brand of song writing based on a solid foundation of black and death metal, whilst injecting eclectic ideas from a wide range of fine metal traditions.
Since the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP 'The Heathen Throne', Ancient Ascendant have shared the stage with black metal monsters 1349, death metal legends Bolt Thrower (who personally invited the band to support them), Rotting Christ, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Blood Red Throne to name a few.
2011 was a hugely successful year for Ancient Ascendant, which saw their highly rated debut album 'The Grim Awakening' being released by Siege of Amida Records, as well as signing to the renowned Factory Music booking agency. Quickly following up on this with their second EP, 2012 saw the release of 'Into The Dark’.
‘Into The Dark’ represented the latest evolution of British death metal standard bearers Ancient Ascendant, brought to life under the expert guidance of the legendary Dan Swanö (Opeth, Dissection, Dark Funeral, Bloodbath, Katatonia, Marduk etc…).
2012 also saw the band completing a successful UK tour with gore metal legends Aborted, playing a packed out Sophie Lancaster stage at Bloodstock Open Air, as well as sharing a stage with the masters of Teutonic thrash Sodom.
2013 began with a busy touring schedule, traveling the UK and Ireland with Enslaved/Winterfylleth, then as main support to Hypocrisy. The rest of the year was spent writing and recording their second full length album, once again with Dan Swanö at the helm.
Preparing to release the follow up to their 2012 EP 'Into the Dark', their new full length album continues in the style they have honed over the last 6 years while raising the bar in every conceivable way. More extremity, more melody, more groove and more evil.
