Atrocity (band)

Atrocity is a German heavy metal band from Ludwigsburg that formed in 1985.

Atrocity
Atrocity performs at the Kavarna Rock Fest in 2010
Background information
OriginLudwigsburg, Germany
GenresGothic metal
Death metal
Industrial metal
Folk metal
Symphonic metal (later)
Technical death metal (early)
Years active1985–present
LabelsNuclear Blast, Roadrunner, Massacre, Motor, Napalm
Associated actsLeaves' Eyes
Websiteatrocity.de
MembersAlexander Krull
Thorsten Bauer
Sander van der Meer
Joris Nijenhuis

History

First started in 1985 as Instigators and playing grindcore, Atrocity arose as a death metal band with their debut EP, Blue Blood, in 1989, followed soon by Hallucinations, a concept album about drug use. Their second album, Todessehnsucht ("longing for death"), ventured into death metal classics with a cover of "Archangel" by the band Death. Their musical scope broadened over the years, incorporating medieval and horror influences on their 1994 Dracula-based concept album Atrocity's Blut, (styled after the successful film Bram Stoker's Dracula). Atrocity's Blut was followed by Calling the Rain, an MCD with female vocals by guest singer Yasmin Krull and acoustic music.[1]

The 1996 release Willenskraft introduced industrial elements, with the special bonus CD of the album's special edition (Kraft und Wille) including electronic remixes of the songs. The later releases were less and less metallic; Werk 80 featured versions of 1980s disco hits and the band had no apparent direction for the following few years. Unusual MCD-releases and experimental songs like "Lili Marlene" covers (featured on Gemini) estranged many of their original metal fans.[2]

After 2000, nothing had been heard from Atrocity and seemed to have disbanded. However, they returned after four years with a new concept album, Atlantis, centered on the myths of the sunken continent of Atlantis. The album also features the vocals of Alexander's wife, Liv-Kristine Espanaes Krull (formerly in Theatre of Tragedy). The band members also formed the atmospheric metal band Leaves' Eyes, which features Liv Kristine as lead singer.[3]

The release of the eleventh album After the Storm in 2010 started a new era for the band in the Ethno Metal genre.[4] Yasmin Krull returned a second time as guest singer and instrumentalist for the project.[5]

On 11 November 2007, Atrocity announced that bassist Chris Lukhaup was leaving the band for personal reasons and that drummer Moritz Neuner was taking another turn in his working career. Seven Antonopolous was named as the new drummer in late October 2008.

Members

Current members
  • Alexander Krull – vocals, keyboards, samples (1985–present)
  • Thorsten Bauer – guitars (1994–present), bass (2013–present)
  • Joris Nijenhuis – drums (2012–present)
  • Pete Streit – guitars (2015–present)

Former members
  • René Tometschek – bass (1985–1988)
  • Gernot Winkler – drums (1985–1988)
  • Mathias Röderer – guitars (1985–2010)
  • Frank Knodel – guitars (1985–1988)
  • Oliver Klasen – bass (1988–1993)
  • Michael Schwarz – drums (1988–1999)
  • Richard Scharf – guitars (1988–1994)
  • Markus Knapp – bass (1994–1995)
  • Christian Lukhaup – bass (1995–2007)
  • Martin Schmidt – drums (1999–2005)
  • Moritz Neuner – drums (2005–2008)
  • Alla Fedynitch – bass (2008–2010)
  • Seven Antonopoulos – drums (2008–2010)
  • Nicholas Barker – drums (2008)
  • JB van der Wal – bass (2010–2013)
  • Roland Navratil – drums (2010–2012)
  • Sander van der Meer – guitars (2010–2015)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations
  • 1995: Calling the Rain (acoustic album)
  • 1995: Die Liebe (collaboration album)
  • 1996: Kraft & Wille (video collection & The Hunt EP)
  • 1997: Werk 80 (cover album)
  • 1999: Non Plus Ultra: 1989–1999 (best-of)
  • 2008: Werk 80 II (cover album)

DVD
  • 2012: Die Gottlosen Jahre

Demos
  • 1988: Instigators
  • 1993: Promo '93

EPs
  • 1996: The Hunt
  • 1996: The Definition of Kraft and Wille
  • 2017: Masters of Darkness
  • 2019: Spell of Blood

Music videos
Year Title Directed Album
1994 "B.L.U.T. (Blood-Lust, Under Trance)"
—
 Blut
1994 "Miss Directed"
—
1995 "Calling the Rain"
—
 Calling the Rain
1995 "Die Liebe"
—
 Die Liebe
1996 Love Is Dead
—
 Willenskraft
1997 "Shout"
—
 Werk 80
1997 "The Great Commandment"
—
2000 "Taste of Sin"
—
 Gemini
2006 "Cold Black Days" Thomas Manglitz Atlantis
2008 "The Sun Always Shines on TV"[6] Silvan Büge Werk 80 II
2009 "Fade to Grey"[7]
—
2013 "Pandæmonium" Rainer ZIPP Fränzen (Und Action!)[8] Okkult
"Murder Blood Assassination"[9]
—

References
  1. "Musik: Hört kostenlos Musik, schaut neue Musikvideos an | MTV Germany". Mtv.de.
  2. "Atrocity". Laut.de. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  3. "Liv Kristine Espanaes". Laut.de. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  4. "STORMBRINGER-News: ATROCITY - 'After The Storm' Artwork und Track List enth llt! (29.06.2010, 00:00 Uhr)". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  5. "ATROCITY Featuring YASMIN: 'After The Storm' Details Revealed". BlabberMouth. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  6. "Atrocity: 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' Video". Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  7. "ATROCITY Release 'Fade To Grey' Video". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  8. "Atrocity Posts New Music Video - in Metal News ( Metal Underground.com )". Web.archive.org. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  9. "Atrocity: 'Murder Blood Assassination' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.