Grenouer
Encyclopedia
Grenouer is a Russian death metal
band, formed in late 1992 in Perm
city. Their name is an intentional misspelling of grimoire
, a magic textbook. Remaining a respected underground outfit they prove that music is the only thing that counts.
, Mortem, Graveside and Scrambled Defuncts. Never being a connoisseur of Satanic ideas and having either mystical, psychological or social implications Grenouer by a strange reason was officially anathematized by the Head of Russian Orthodox church. Besides the ecclesiastical prohibits the band’s activities sometimes were opposed by representatives of post-Soviet authority – in 1995 and 1996 Grenouer’s live shows in Perm
were interrupted by special police forces applying batons and tear gas against fans and initiating disorders. In 2004 Mayor of Kemerovo
city banned Grenouer’s concert just the same day the band arrived there, Grenouer was unreasonably blamed for so-called advocacy of violence. In fact the only case when Grenouer spoke out in public was an anti-drug company.
Grenouer’s debut full length saw light in 1997, it was called “Border of Misty Times” where the band switched to English lyrics. The debut was followed by other albums, released in Russia by labels like Irond, More Hate, Blacksmith Productions, Metallism
developing death metal approach. The third album "The Odour O' Folly" includes a heavy cover version of A-Ha
's "Take On Me
" song. The fourth album "Presence With War" lyrically deals with Iraq
war issues and its frontcover was made by Mickmo, an American creator of comic books.
In the mid 2000’s Grenouer’s music began to change dramatically and at the same period musicians also relocated to Saint Petersburg
. Preference was given to hardcore, math metal and even progressive rock sound. The fifth album “Try” was released worldwide in Great Britain by Casket Music (a division of Copro Records), that was a flow of fresh air from the band yet some fans of brutal death metal felt as if Grenouer was betraying ideals. This did not stop musicians from further experiments and the next tentative album “Lifelong Days” was recorded with the platinum selling Finnish producer Anssi Kippo
at Astia studio. “Lifelong Days” got released by the Spanish label Locomotive Records and strengthened Grenouer’s rummage for merging extreme metal with rock riffing.
Grenouer's songs come on various compilations including "Adrenaline 2: Rush Hour", a soundtrack to computer game.
Grenouer is touring inside and outside Russia and participating in big open air festivals. Grenouer could be seen sharing the same stage with Testament
, Pro Pain, Textures
, TesseracT
, Anathema
, Cradle of Filth
, Entombed
, Napalm Death
, All Shall Perish
, Behemoth
, Cephalic Carnage
, Despised Icon
, Hate
, Neurosis
, Pain, Primordial
, Soilwork
, Sworn Enemy
, The Berzerker
, Tiamat
, Trail of Tears
, Warbringer
and many others.
According to Kerrang!
magazine Grenouer "is the most impressive metal statement from an unlikely source" (Steve Beebee), Issue #1251, March 7, 2009, Albums, p 52.
New album is set to be released in autumn, 2011.
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band, formed in late 1992 in Perm
Perm
Perm is a city and the administrative center of Perm Krai, Russia, located on the banks of the Kama River, in the European part of Russia near the Ural Mountains. From 1940 to 1957 it was named Molotov ....
city. Their name is an intentional misspelling of grimoire
Grimoire
A grimoire is a textbook of magic. Such books typically include instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms and divination and also how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as angels, spirits, and demons...
, a magic textbook. Remaining a respected underground outfit they prove that music is the only thing that counts.
History
In the early days Grenouer played death metal and even used Russian lyrics for that which is represented on the band’s early demos. From the very start Grenouer obtained devotion and affection of local fans and directly participated in the formation of the whole Russian underground extreme metal scene. Grenouer is supposed to be one of the headstones of death metal in Russia along with MerlinMerlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
, Mortem, Graveside and Scrambled Defuncts. Never being a connoisseur of Satanic ideas and having either mystical, psychological or social implications Grenouer by a strange reason was officially anathematized by the Head of Russian Orthodox church. Besides the ecclesiastical prohibits the band’s activities sometimes were opposed by representatives of post-Soviet authority – in 1995 and 1996 Grenouer’s live shows in Perm
Perm
Perm is a city and the administrative center of Perm Krai, Russia, located on the banks of the Kama River, in the European part of Russia near the Ural Mountains. From 1940 to 1957 it was named Molotov ....
were interrupted by special police forces applying batons and tear gas against fans and initiating disorders. In 2004 Mayor of Kemerovo
Kemerovo
Kemerovo is an industrial city in Russia, situated on the Tom River, east-northeast of Novosibirsk. It is the administrative center of Kemerovo Oblast, located in the major coal mining region of the Kuznetsk Basin...
city banned Grenouer’s concert just the same day the band arrived there, Grenouer was unreasonably blamed for so-called advocacy of violence. In fact the only case when Grenouer spoke out in public was an anti-drug company.
Grenouer’s debut full length saw light in 1997, it was called “Border of Misty Times” where the band switched to English lyrics. The debut was followed by other albums, released in Russia by labels like Irond, More Hate, Blacksmith Productions, Metallism
Metallism
Metallism is a type of monetary system in which silver, gold or other metals are used as money.Usually, that word refers to a system where that kind of money is a legal tender.-Metallism versus fiat monetary systems:...
developing death metal approach. The third album "The Odour O' Folly" includes a heavy cover version of A-Ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
's "Take On Me
Take on Me
"Take on Me" is a song by the Norwegian pop band A-ha. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Alan Tarney for the group's first studio album Hunting High and Low, released in 1985...
" song. The fourth album "Presence With War" lyrically deals with Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
war issues and its frontcover was made by Mickmo, an American creator of comic books.
In the mid 2000’s Grenouer’s music began to change dramatically and at the same period musicians also relocated to Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
. Preference was given to hardcore, math metal and even progressive rock sound. The fifth album “Try” was released worldwide in Great Britain by Casket Music (a division of Copro Records), that was a flow of fresh air from the band yet some fans of brutal death metal felt as if Grenouer was betraying ideals. This did not stop musicians from further experiments and the next tentative album “Lifelong Days” was recorded with the platinum selling Finnish producer Anssi Kippo
Anssi Kippo
Anssi Kippo is a platinum selling Finnish producer that founded Astia-studios in 1994. He has produced and engineered numerous acts including over the years and continues to manage both Astia A and B studios.Notable clients include:...
at Astia studio. “Lifelong Days” got released by the Spanish label Locomotive Records and strengthened Grenouer’s rummage for merging extreme metal with rock riffing.
Grenouer's songs come on various compilations including "Adrenaline 2: Rush Hour", a soundtrack to computer game.
Grenouer is touring inside and outside Russia and participating in big open air festivals. Grenouer could be seen sharing the same stage with Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Pro Pain, Textures
Textures (band)
Textures is a metal band from the Netherlands, formed in 2001. Textures' lineup revolves around founding members Jochem Jacobs, Stef Broks, Bart Hennephof, and bassist Remko Tielemans who joined in 2007...
, TesseracT
TesseracT (band)
TesseracT are a British progressive metal band formed in 2003. They are currently signed to Century Media Records.-History:Tesseract started out back in 2003 as a personal side project, to Fellsilent, in the then-teenage Acle Kahney's bedroom...
, Anathema
Anathema (band)
Anathema are an English band from Liverpool primarily known for their ever evolving sound. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom metal sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock, progressive rock, art rock, new prog, and post-rock.-History:Anathema...
, Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
, Entombed
Entombed (band)
Entombed is a Swedish death metal band which formed in 1987 under the name of Nihilist. Though Entombed began their career as an early pioneer of Scandinavian death metal which initially differed itself from its American counterpart with its distinct guitar tone, by the early 1990s their sound had...
, Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
, All Shall Perish
All Shall Perish
All Shall Perish is an American deathcore band from Oakland, California, formed in 2002. Currently, the band is signed to Nuclear Blast and have released four full-length albums through the label. Their latest record, This Is Where It Ends was released on July 26, 2011...
, Behemoth
Behemoth (band)
Behemoth is a Polish blackened death metal band from Gdańsk, formed in 1991. They are considered to have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal underground, alongside bands such as Vader, Decapitated, Vesania and Hate....
, Cephalic Carnage
Cephalic Carnage
Cephalic Carnage is an American grindcore band formed in 1992 in Denver, Colorado. The band comprises vocalist Lenzig Leal, guitarists Steve Goldberg and Brian Hopp, drummer John Merryman and bassist Nick Schendzielos...
, Despised Icon
Despised Icon
Despised Icon was a Canadian deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 2002, the band is notable for the use of two vocalists; Alexandre Erian, takes use of a mid-range screaming technique, and Steve Marois for the low growling vocals, and high pitched screamed vocals...
, Hate
Hate (band)
Hate is a Polish death metal band from Warsaw, Poland, formed in 1990. Their most recent album, Erebos, was released in 2010, under Listenable Records.-Biography:...
, Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
, Pain, Primordial
Primordial (band)
Primordial is an extreme metal band from Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. It was formed in 1987 by Pól MacAmlaigh and Ciarán MacUiliam . Their sound melds black metal with Irish folk music.-Biography:...
, Soilwork
Soilwork
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic...
, Sworn Enemy
Sworn Enemy
-Biography:The band formed in 1995 as "Downfall" and later on as "Mindset", a product of the extremely expansive and influential New York Hardcore scene...
, The Berzerker
The Berzerker
The Berzerker was an extreme metal band from Melbourne, Australia and was formed in 1995. The band's music, heavily influenced by older death metal and grindcore, can be characterized as a fusion of these with speedcore, and gabber...
, Tiamat
Tiamat (band)
-Biography:Initially, the band played straightforward black metal under the name Treblinka. After having recorded the album Sumerian Cry in 1989, vocalist/guitarist Johan Edlund and bassist Jörgen Thullberg parted ways with the other two founding members, and subsequently changed the name to Tiamat...
, Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears (band)
Trail of Tears is a Norwegian gothic/symphonic black metal band originally formed in 1994 by vocalist Ronny Thorsen, under the name of Natt...
, Warbringer
Warbringer
Warbringer is an American thrash metal band. The band formed in 2004. Warbringer is signed to Century Media Records. Century Media signed Warbringer after seeing them at a local show in LA. Originally, a Century Media rep was at the show to see another LA thrash metal band but decided to sign...
and many others.
According to Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine Grenouer "is the most impressive metal statement from an unlikely source" (Steve Beebee), Issue #1251, March 7, 2009, Albums, p 52.
New album is set to be released in autumn, 2011.
Line up
- Ind — vocals
- Slavij — bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Motor — guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Grave — drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Discography
- 1993 — Death of a Bite (demo)
- 1996 — Fiery Swans (ep)
- 1996 — Border of Misty Times
- 1999 — Gravehead
- 2001 — The Odour O' Folly
- 2004 — Presence With War
- 2005 — Try (ep)
- 2007 — Try
- 2008 — Lifelong Days