Origin (band)
Encyclopedia
Origin is an American
death metal
band from Topeka, Kansas
, founded in 1998. They have been recognized by music critics and metal fans alike for combining a harsh sound with a high level of technical skill.
Origin's music is characterized by almost exclusive use of several specific, difficult playing techniques: blast beat
s on the drum kit, multiple death growl
ed vocals, and arpeggio
s on both the guitars and the bass guitar. Their songs often have uneven, shifting time signatures. In spite of Origin's obscurity, the extremity of their music, and their lack of an official website, in 2008 they scored a minor American
hit with the release of their fourth studio album, Antithesis.
and Jeremy Turner
. The band took shape over a period of about half a year. Bassist Clint Appelhanz and vocalist Mark Manning joined in October 1997, and drummer George Fluke joined in January 1998. The band members then decided to tour under the name Origin.
On May 23, 1998, the band opened for Suffocation
. That summer, Origin recorded a four-song, self-financed and self-distributed demo, A Coming Into Existence. In October, the band secured an opening slot on the Death Across America Tour, which also featured Nile
, Cryptopsy
, Oppressor
and Gorguts
.
In February 1999, George Fluke was replaced by John Longstreth and Doug Williams
replaced Clint Appelhanz. With the new lineup, Origin secured a show with Napalm Death
on April 14. Various other regional shows followed, including a spot at the November to Dismember Metalfest in Texas. On December 16, Origin signed to Relapse Records
.
Origin played the March Metal Meltdown in New Jersey and was invited to take part in Contaminated 2000. They shared the stage with Exhumed
and Cephalic Carnage
, and participated in another November to Disember in California. Origin joined forces with Poland’s Vader
, along with label mates Cephalic Carnage
and Dying Fetus
, for the high-profile Death Across America 2000 Tour.
Soon after, Origin embarked on yet another tour, this time alongside Candiria
, Cryptopsy and Poison the Well
. They made another Milwaukee Metalfest appearance in 2001, and participated in Summer Slaughter that year (the 1st version of "Summer Slaughter Tour" under a different booking agency Digger). Origin then secured a headline tour before beginning work on another album. The result, Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas
, introduced two new members, James Lee on vocals and Mike Flores on bass guitar.
, Arch Enemy
and Hate Eternal
. Following the tour, Jeremy Turner resigned from the band and Clint Appelhanz (this time playing guitar instead of bass guitar) returned. Origin toured with Immolation
, Vader, and The Berzerker
, followed by another tour with All That Remains
, Scar Culture and Crematorium. Unforeseen problems arose, and Origin had to cancel the tour with Nuclear Assault
in January 2003. Shortly thereafter John Longstreth resigned from the band; James King was chosen to fill the spot.
The band played its first show with the new line-up in September 2003 in Topeka, Kansas
. At the concert, they shot a music video
for the song "Portal," from Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas. The band then landed a headlining west coast tour in January 2004 with Uphill Battle
. In the summer, Origin toured the Midwest, playing the Milwaukee Metalfest 2004 and The Texas Death and Grindfest with label mates Soilent Green
and Kill the Client.
, its third studio album. Fan reaction was mixed. A review of Echoes in the student newspaper of Metropolitan Community College-Longview
in Kansas City
called it monotonous, yet nonetheless impressive due to the band members' instrumental prowess.
Numerous United States tours immediately followed, including headlining performances at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and Ohio Deathfest. The band then joined forces with Malevolent Creation
and Animosity
for a summer North American tour that was sold out at many venues. The tour for Origin was 52 days long, and only three shows had to be cancelled.
As of spring 2006, James King and Clint Appelhanz had left Origin, and had joined death metal/grindcore group Unmerciful, along with Jeremy Turner and Tony Reust. In April, John Longstreth returned to Origin, and in May, the band played their first European show. They also embarked on another summer headlining tour across North America, with Paul Ryan performing all guitar parts.
and Necrophagist
, as well as newly signed fellow Topeka locals Diskreet
. After the end of this tour, Jeremy Turner rejoined Origin and the band began to work on its next album. They finished recording in February 2008, and the resulting album, Antithesis, was released April 1, 2008, and peaked at #21 on the Billboard
Top Heatseekers
chart. The band released a music video
for the Antithesis song "Finite" on May 23, 2008. The video began to be shown on television the next day, premiering on MTV2
's Headbanger's Ball.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
death metal
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 from Topeka, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, founded in 1998. They have been recognized by music critics and metal fans alike for combining a harsh sound with a high level of technical skill.
Origin's music is characterized by almost exclusive use of several specific, difficult playing techniques: blast beat
Blast beat
A blast beat is a drum beat often associated with extreme metal and grindcore, although its usage predates the genres, and is utilised by many different styles of metal...
s on the drum kit, multiple death growl
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
ed vocals, and arpeggio
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
s on both the guitars and the bass guitar. Their songs often have uneven, shifting time signatures. In spite of Origin's obscurity, the extremity of their music, and their lack of an official website, in 2008 they scored a minor American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hit with the release of their fourth studio album, Antithesis.
Beginnings
Origin grew out of a series of jam sessions in 1997 involving guitarist/vocalists Paul RyanPaul Ryan (guitarist)
Paul Ryan is a guitarist and singer for the Kansas-based technical death metal band Origin. He is the only member who has been continuously in the band since its formation in 1997. He is an extremely proficient guitarist in the genre of death metal and extensively utilizes extremely difficult...
and Jeremy Turner
Jeremy Turner
Jeremy Turner was the guitarist/ vocalist for the Kansas-based death metal band Origin.He performed on Origin's A Coming Into Existence , the self-titled debut on Relapse, Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas, and Origin's latest, Antithesis. He performed on Unmerciful's debut on Unique Leader Records,...
. The band took shape over a period of about half a year. Bassist Clint Appelhanz and vocalist Mark Manning joined in October 1997, and drummer George Fluke joined in January 1998. The band members then decided to tour under the name Origin.
On May 23, 1998, the band opened for Suffocation
Suffocation (band)
Suffocation is an American death metal band that was formed in 1989 in Long Island, New York. The band comprises vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais, drummer Mike Smith and bassist Derek Boyer. Suffocation rose to prominence of death metal and created a blueprint for...
. That summer, Origin recorded a four-song, self-financed and self-distributed demo, A Coming Into Existence. In October, the band secured an opening slot on the Death Across America Tour, which also featured Nile
Nile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
, Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 1988. The band has sold over 300,000 records.-Necrosis :...
, Oppressor
Oppressor
Oppressor was a technical death metal band from Chicago, Illinois, which formed in 1991 and finished in 1999. They released three albums. Three of the band's members went on to form alternative metal band Soil.-History:...
and Gorguts
Gorguts
Gorguts is a technical death metal band from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The band's only constant member is Luc Lemay.-History:Gorguts were formed in 1989 by Luc Lemay , Sylvain Marcoux , Éric Giguère and Stephane Provencher...
.
In February 1999, George Fluke was replaced by John Longstreth and Doug Williams
Doug Williams (Bassist)
Doug Williams is an American born Bassist Bassist. Williams' past contributions include the Bassist for the Death Metal Death metal bands Origin and Cephalic Carnage.-Career:...
replaced Clint Appelhanz. With the new lineup, Origin secured a show with 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 ...
on April 14. Various other regional shows followed, including a spot at the November to Dismember Metalfest in Texas. On December 16, Origin signed to Relapse Records
Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
.
Origin
On July 11, 2000, Origin released its first studio album, Origin.Origin played the March Metal Meltdown in New Jersey and was invited to take part in Contaminated 2000. They shared the stage with Exhumed
Exhumed (band)
Exhumed is an American death metal band from San Jose, California, most recently signed to Relapse Records. They were formed in 1990, when sole remaining founding member Matt Harvey was at the age of 15. Exhumed spent much of the ensuing decade hacking its way through numerous demos, split CDs,...
and 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...
, and participated in another November to Disember in California. Origin joined forces with Poland’s Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
, along with label mates 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...
and Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus is an American death metal band from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased the common death metal trait of explicit violence...
, for the high-profile Death Across America 2000 Tour.
Soon after, Origin embarked on yet another tour, this time alongside Candiria
Candiria
Candiria are an American band from Brooklyn, New York. They blend various styles of music, including heavy metal, hardcore, jazz, hip hop and ambient. Candiria have often dubbed their sound "urban fusion".- History :...
, Cryptopsy and Poison the Well
Poison the Well (band)
Poison the Well was an experimental hardcore band from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida who were last signed to Ferret Music. Guitarist Ryan Primack and drummer Chris Hornbrook were the only remaining members of the band who were involved since their inception, although vocalist Jeffrey Moreira was...
. They made another Milwaukee Metalfest appearance in 2001, and participated in Summer Slaughter that year (the 1st version of "Summer Slaughter Tour" under a different booking agency Digger). Origin then secured a headline tour before beginning work on another album. The result, Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas
Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas
The second album by technical death metal band Origin, Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas introduced a more technical aspect of the band. The album features quotes from Dogma and Interview with the Vampire to introduce two of the tracks. A video was done for the song "Portal" in September 2003 at a...
, introduced two new members, James Lee on vocals and Mike Flores on bass guitar.
Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas
Immediately following the release of Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas, Origin hit the road as part of a summer metal tour with NileNile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
, Arch Enemy
Arch Enemy (band)
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup, from Halmstad, formed in 1996. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist to name a few. It was founded by Carcass guitarist Michael Amott along with Johan...
and Hate Eternal
Hate Eternal
-Biography:Hate Eternal was formed in 1997. The group's original line-up included Erik Rutan - guitars/vocals, bassist and co-vocalist Jared Anderson, drummer Tim Yeung, and guitarist Doug Cerrito of the band Suffocation...
. Following the tour, Jeremy Turner resigned from the band and Clint Appelhanz (this time playing guitar instead of bass guitar) returned. Origin toured with Immolation
Immolation (band)
-History:The band formed in May 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz and Dave Wilkinson under the name Rigor Mortis . The name was changed to Immolation in April 1988, after the Warriors of Doom demo which was recorded as Rigor Mortis and Demo I which was recorded as Immolation...
, Vader, and 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...
, followed by another tour with All That Remains
All That Remains (band)
All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, which formed in 1998. They have released five studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and have sold nearly 800,000 records...
, Scar Culture and Crematorium. Unforeseen problems arose, and Origin had to cancel the tour with Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault is an American thrash metal/crossover thrash band formed in 1984.-History:After the release of Anthrax's debut album Fistful of Metal, bass player Danny Lilker, a founding member of the group, was fired by the band...
in January 2003. Shortly thereafter John Longstreth resigned from the band; James King was chosen to fill the spot.
The band played its first show with the new line-up in September 2003 in Topeka, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. At the concert, they shot a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song "Portal," from Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas. The band then landed a headlining west coast tour in January 2004 with Uphill Battle
Uphill Battle
Uphill Battle was an American metalcore band with elements of grindcore. The group was based out of Santa Barbara, California, USA.-History:Uphill Battle got some recognition releasing their self-titled record on Relapse Records...
. In the summer, Origin toured the Midwest, playing the Milwaukee Metalfest 2004 and The Texas Death and Grindfest with label mates Soilent Green
Soilent Green
Soilent Green is a grindcore and sludge metal band that hails from Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans.-Overview:Soilent Green was founded in 1988. Their début album wasn't released until 1995, when Pussysoul came out on Dwell Records...
and Kill the Client.
Echoes of Decimation
On March 15, 2005, Origin released Echoes of DecimationEchoes of Decimation
Echoes of Decimation is the third studio album by the death metal band Origin. It was released through Relapse Records, on March 15, 2005. A focus point on extremely fast arpeggios was made on this album. The band later called these "RIFFARPS" as they were arpeggios as a form of a riff instead of...
, its third studio album. Fan reaction was mixed. A review of Echoes in the student newspaper of Metropolitan Community College-Longview
Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City)
Metropolitan Community College is a community college system in Missouri, United States. The system consists of five separate campuses located in Kansas City, Independence, and Lee's Summit. The five campuses have a total enrollment of over 21,000 students per semester...
in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
called it monotonous, yet nonetheless impressive due to the band members' instrumental prowess.
Numerous United States tours immediately followed, including headlining performances at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and Ohio Deathfest. The band then joined forces with Malevolent Creation
Malevolent Creation
Malevolent Creation is a death metal band originally hailing from Buffalo, New York. Moving to Florida in 1987, they became a part of the emergent local death metal scene, landing a deal with Roadrunner Records...
and Animosity
Animosity (band)
Animosity was a death metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in 2000. The band released three studio albums and disbanded in 2009.-History:...
for a summer North American tour that was sold out at many venues. The tour for Origin was 52 days long, and only three shows had to be cancelled.
As of spring 2006, James King and Clint Appelhanz had left Origin, and had joined death metal/grindcore group Unmerciful, along with Jeremy Turner and Tony Reust. In April, John Longstreth returned to Origin, and in May, the band played their first European show. They also embarked on another summer headlining tour across North America, with Paul Ryan performing all guitar parts.
Antithesis
In February and March 2007, Origin played in Europe with label mates Misery IndexMisery Index (band)
Misery Index is an American deathgrind band formed in 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, by Jason Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Mike Harrison on vocals and guitar, and Kevin Talley on drums. From 2006-2010, its line-up consisted of Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Sparky Voyles...
and Necrophagist
Necrophagist
Necrophagist is a German death metal band, founded and fronted by Muhammed Suiçmez; a German-born, Turkish guitarist and vocalist. The band is known for its rapid and technical compositions....
, as well as newly signed fellow Topeka locals Diskreet
Diskreet
Diskreet is a death metal band which is based in Topeka, Kansas and formed in 2003. They are currently signed to UK based label Siege of Amida Records with US distribution from Candlelight Records.-History:...
. After the end of this tour, Jeremy Turner rejoined Origin and the band began to work on its next album. They finished recording in February 2008, and the resulting album, Antithesis, was released April 1, 2008, and peaked at #21 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart. The band released a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the Antithesis song "Finite" on May 23, 2008. The video began to be shown on television the next day, premiering on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
's Headbanger's Ball.
Discography
- A Coming Into ExistenceA Coming Into ExistenceA Coming Into Existence was recorded June 16, 1998.It was the first music released by Origin.It was released on tape & cd.-Track listing:-Credits:*Mark Manning – Vocals*Paul Ryan – guitars / vocals*Jeremy Turner – guitars / vocals...
(1998) - Origin (2000)
- Informis Infinitas InhumanitasInformis Infinitas InhumanitasThe second album by technical death metal band Origin, Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas introduced a more technical aspect of the band. The album features quotes from Dogma and Interview with the Vampire to introduce two of the tracks. A video was done for the song "Portal" in September 2003 at a...
(2002) - Echoes of DecimationEchoes of DecimationEchoes of Decimation is the third studio album by the death metal band Origin. It was released through Relapse Records, on March 15, 2005. A focus point on extremely fast arpeggios was made on this album. The band later called these "RIFFARPS" as they were arpeggios as a form of a riff instead of...
(2005) - Antithesis (2008)
- EntityEntity (album)Entity is the fifth studio album by technical death metal band Origin. It was released through Nuclear Blast, on June 7, 2011.- Reception :-Track listing:-Personnel:* Paul Ryan - guitar, vocals* Mike Flores - bass, vocals* John Longstreth - drums...
(2011)
Members
- Paul RyanPaul Ryan (guitarist)Paul Ryan is a guitarist and singer for the Kansas-based technical death metal band Origin. He is the only member who has been continuously in the band since its formation in 1997. He is an extremely proficient guitarist in the genre of death metal and extensively utilizes extremely difficult...
– guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, vocals (1997–present) - John Longstreth – 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 ....
(1999–2003, 2006–present) - Mike Flores – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals (2001–present) - Jason KeyserJason KeyserJason Keyser is a vocalist. Keyser joined Death metal band Skinless as their new frontman in November 2004. Jason has released one album with Skinless and another album with Detriment . He is also currently a member of brutal death metal band Mucopus, providing the vocals on their 2007 release...
- live vocals (2011–present)
Former members
- Mark Manning – vocals (1997–2001)
- Clint Appelhanz – bass(1997–1999) Guitar (2002–2006)
- Doug WilliamsDoug Williams (Bassist)Doug Williams is an American born Bassist Bassist. Williams' past contributions include the Bassist for the Death Metal Death metal bands Origin and Cephalic Carnage.-Career:...
– bass (1999–2001) - George Fluke – drums (1998–1999)
- James King – drums (2003–2006)
- James Lee – vocals (2001–2010)
- Mica Meneke – vocals (2010)
- Jeremy TurnerJeremy TurnerJeremy Turner was the guitarist/ vocalist for the Kansas-based death metal band Origin.He performed on Origin's A Coming Into Existence , the self-titled debut on Relapse, Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas, and Origin's latest, Antithesis. He performed on Unmerciful's debut on Unique Leader Records,...
– guitar, vocals (1997–2002, 2007–2010)