Atrocity (band)
Atrocity | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Ludwigsburg, Germany |
Genres | Gothic metal Death metal Industrial metal Folk metal Symphonic metal (later) Technical death metal (early) |
Years active | 1985–present |
Labels | Nuclear Blast, Roadrunner, Massacre, Motor, Napalm |
Members | Alexander Krull Thorsten Bauer Sander van der Meer Joris Nijenhuis |
Website | atrocity |
Atrocity is a German heavy metal band from Ludwigsburg that formed in 1985.
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
- 1990: Hallucinations
- 1992: Todessehnsucht
- 1994: Blut
- 1996: Willenskraft
- 2000: Gemini
- 2004: Atlantis
- 2010: After the Storm
- 2013: Okkult
- 2018: Okkult II
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
- ^ "Musik: Hört kostenlos Musik, schaut neue Musikvideos an | MTV Germany". Mtv.de.
- ^ "Atrocity". Laut.de. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Liv Kristine Espanaes". Laut.de. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "STORMBRINGER-News: ATROCITY - 'After The Storm' Artwork und Track List enth llt! (29.06.2010, 00:00 Uhr)". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "ATROCITY Featuring YASMIN: 'After The Storm' Details Revealed". BlabberMouth. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ "Atrocity: 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' Video". Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "ATROCITY Release 'Fade To Grey' Video". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Atrocity Posts New Music Video - in Metal News ( Metal Underground.com )". Web.archive.org. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ "Atrocity: 'Murder Blood Assassination' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 28 October 2014.