Living Death

For the 1915 film directed by Tod Browning, see The Living Death.

Living Death was a German heavy metal band from Velbert, whose career spanned from the early 1980s until the early 1990s.

Biography

Living Death was formed in 1980^{[citation needed]} in Velbert, Germany by Reiner and Dieter Kelch, and Frank Fricke, starting out as a simple heavy metal band. In 1981 drummer Frank Schubring and vocalist Thorsten "Toto" Bergmann join the band, completing their first line-up. A year later they recorded their self-titled demo resulting, in 1983, a deal with Earthshaker. Later that year Frank Schubring leaves the band and is replaced by Harald Lutze.

In 1984 Living Death released their rough-sounding debut album Vengeance of Hell which, despite poor production quality, sold well in all independent charts. Living Death then went on tour in support of Warlock. Leading into them firing drummer Harald Lutze and replacing him with Andreas Overhoff. In January 1985 they release the EP Watch-Out! with three remixed songs from the first LP and the self-titled track. In August Metal Revolution is released. A year later they sign a deal with Aaarrg Records and the EP Back to the Weapons is recorded and shortly before its release they find a new drummer, Atomic Steif.

In 1987, the album Protected from Reality was released, followed by 1988's Live EP, featuring four songs off their second album. After the release of their fourth studio album Worlds Neuroses in 1989, band members Toto, Fred, and Atomic Steif leave the band. The remaining Living Death members then recruited vocalist Gerald Thelen, and drummer Frank Ullrich as replacements. With this line-up Living Death split-up in 1991 after the release of Killing In Action.

Members

Last known line up

• Thorsten "Toto" Bergmann (singer)
• Andreas Oberhoff (drummer)
• Reiner Kelch (guitar)
• Dieter Kelch (bass)

Previous members

Vocals:

• Thorsten "Toto" Bergmann (1981–1989) (Sacred Chao, X-Mas Project)
• Gerald Thelen (1989–1991)

Guitars:

• Frank Fricke (1980–1988) (Mekong Delta, X-Mas Project, ex-U.D.O.)
• Fred (1988–1989) (Sacred Chao)

Drums:

• Frank Schubring (1981–1983)
• Eric (session drums on Vengeance of Hell)
• Harald Lutze (1984)
• Andreas Oberhoff (1984–1986)
• Atomic Steif (1986–1989) (Stahlträger, Assassin, Sodom, Holy Moses, Violent Force, Sacred Chao)

Discography

Studio albums

• Vengeance of Hell (1984)
• Metal Revolution (1985)
• Protected from Reality (1987)
• Worlds Neuroses (1989)
• Killing In Action (1991)

EPs

• Watch Out! (1985)
• Back To The Weapons (1986)
• Live (1988)

Compilation albums

• Living Death Best of (1994)

Singles

• Eisbein (mit Sauerkraut) (1987)

Demos

• Demo 83 (1983)
• Pre-Production Demo (1984)

External links

• Fan website
• Fan page on MySpace