Atheist (band)

Atheist is a death metal band from Florida, founded in 1984 by the vocalist and guitarist Kelly Shaefer, guitarist Rand Burkey, bassist Roger Patterson and drummer Steve Flynn. The band is known for its highly technical playing style and its 1991 album, Unquestionable Presence, is regarded as an important landmark of the technical death metal genre.[2] After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2006 and has since released one studio album and a live DVD.

Atheist
Live in 2006
Background information
Also known as
  • Oblivion
  • R.A.V.A.G.E.
OriginSarasota, Florida, U.S.
GenresTechnical death metal, progressive metal[1]
Years active1984–1994, 2006–present
Labels
Associated actsNeurotica, Gnostic, Cynic, Pestilence, Jungle Rot
MembersKelly Shaefer
Steve Flynn
Chris Martin
Yoav Ruiz-Feingold
Daniel Martinez
Anthony Medaglia (live)

History

The band was originally formed in 1984 in Sarasota, firstly under the name Oblivion and later as R.A.V.A.G.E. (which stands for "Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End").[3] They recorded their first album, Piece of Time, in 1988, though the album was not released until 1990 due to record company issues. In 1991, Patterson died in a car accident and Atheist recruited Tony Choy (previously a member of Cynic) to record their second album, Unquestionable Presence. Atheist disbanded for the first time in 1992, reuniting in 1993 and recording a third album, Elements, fulfilling their contractual requirements, before disbanding for a second time.

Seven years after their second break up, Shaefer decided to re-release and remaster their three albums with different bonus tracks.

Relapse Records re-issued the band's three albums in late 2005, as well as a vinyl box set containing the three albums plus the R.A.V.A.G.E. demo "On They Slay". Flynn formed the band Gnostic in the same year. In January 2006, Atheist announced they were regrouping to perform live during the summer and autumn. The line-up was Shaefer, Burkey, Choy and Flynn. Shaefer only provided vocals due to long battles with tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.[4] The Gnostic guitarist Sonny Carson played all of Shaefer's guitar parts, while Burkey was later replaced by Chris Baker of Gnostic.

On July 12, 2008, Shaefer issued a statement indicating that he and Flynn were working on new material.[5] A month later, Shaefer announced that they had commenced the recording of a new studio album, which would be their first in over 15 years. The band toured Europe and the US in 2009 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Piece of Time. A live DVD filmed at the Wacken Open Air Festival appeared towards the end of the year.[6]

On July 11, 2010, Atheist revealed that their fourth studio album would be called Jupiter and was set for a November release.[7] They inked a deal with Season of Mist and Jupiter was released on November 8, 2010.[8]

On August 3, 2010, Shaefer and Flynn announced on behalf of the band that Tony Choy would not be appearing on Jupiter but was still likely to appear in live performances with the band due to his own musical aspirations.[9] The band announced in 2014 that it was working on a fifth studio album, which was planned to be released in 2015.[10]

In February 2018, Atheist signed with Agonia Records.[11]

Members

Current

  • Kelly Shaefer – vocals (1988–1994, 2006–present), guitars (1988–1994, 2010[12])
  • Steve Flynn – drums (1987-1991, 2006-present)
  • Chris Martin – guitars (2012–present)
  • Yoav "The Elephant" Ruiz-Feingold – bass guitar (2019–present)[13]
  • Daniel Martinez – guitars (2019–present)

Current – Live

  • Anthony Medaglia – drums (2019-present)

Former

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

References
  1. DaRonco, Mike; Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography of Atheist". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
  2. "Atheist Unquestionable Presence". AllMusic. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  3. "Atheist". Relapse Records. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2007.
  4. "ATHEIST Regroup, Announce Exclusive ON LIVE TV Festival Appearances". Blabbermouth. Retrieved January 13, 2006.
  5. "ATHEIST Members Collaborating On First New Material Since 1991". Blabbermouth. Archived from the original on August 3, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
  6. "Atheist - Writing New Material". Metalstorm. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  7. "ATHEIST: New Album Title Revealed". Road runner records. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  8. "Legendary ATHEIST Signs With SEASON OF MIST". Blabbermouth. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
  9. "Atheist Part Ways With Tony Choy: News @". Season-of-mist. August 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  10. "ATHEIST Preparing To Record New Album". Road runner records. June 5, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  11. "ATHEIST Signs With AGONIA RECORDS; New Album Due This Year". Blabbermouth. February 21, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  12. "Atheist interview". lambgoat.com. October 26, 2010. Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017. Shaefer: He and I do a guitar solo trade off in the middle of "Faux King Christ"CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
    - "JUPITER'S RETURN'S RETURN: THE ATHEIST INTERVIEW (PART II)". Metal Suck. October 18, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2017. Shaefer: I played on every record.
  13. "Post-show interview". October 15, 2020. Yoav: I am an elephant.
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