Rorschach (band)
Encyclopedia
Rorschach is a New Jersey
-based band that existed from 1989 to 1993 and reformed in 2009. The group often blended hardcore punk
and dissonant elements of metal
providing the inspiration to a number of hardcore and post hardcore bands thereafter.
The first release by the band, Remain Sedate, shows the band's sound at a stage when they played fast, heavy hardcore with a metal slant and raspy hardcore vocals. At this time they also drew heavy comparisons to Die Kreuzen
for their bizarre chord progressions and Charles Maggio's unearthly howl. However, as the band progressed, they developed a slower, more sinister, sludge sound that was influenced by fellow New York band Swans
. Additionally, the vocals developed into high-pitched, tortured screaming rather than shouting, due in part to voice problems Maggio was experiencing at the time. This change in sound can be heard primarily on their second full-length release, Protestant. Shortly after issuing this album, the group disbanded, some members eventually joining Deadguy and Kiss It Goodbye.
Rorschach performed reunion shows between September 23–27, 2009 in the northeast U.S.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
-based band that existed from 1989 to 1993 and reformed in 2009. The group often blended hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and dissonant elements of metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
providing the inspiration to a number of hardcore and post hardcore bands thereafter.
The first release by the band, Remain Sedate, shows the band's sound at a stage when they played fast, heavy hardcore with a metal slant and raspy hardcore vocals. At this time they also drew heavy comparisons to Die Kreuzen
Die Kreuzen
Die Kreuzen was a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin which was formed in 1981. The name is broken German for "the crosses", and was picked up by the band from a German Bible...
for their bizarre chord progressions and Charles Maggio's unearthly howl. However, as the band progressed, they developed a slower, more sinister, sludge sound that was influenced by fellow New York band Swans
Swans (band)
Swans are an influential American post-punk band initially active from 1982 to 1997, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. The band was one of the few groups to emerge from the early 1980s New York No Wave scene and stay intact into the next decade. Formed by Gira in...
. Additionally, the vocals developed into high-pitched, tortured screaming rather than shouting, due in part to voice problems Maggio was experiencing at the time. This change in sound can be heard primarily on their second full-length release, Protestant. Shortly after issuing this album, the group disbanded, some members eventually joining Deadguy and Kiss It Goodbye.
Rorschach performed reunion shows between September 23–27, 2009 in the northeast U.S.
Members
- Charles Maggio - Vocals (also runs the record label Gern Blandsten)
- Andrew GormleyAndrew GormleyAndrew Gormley was the drummer for the band Rorschach , a hardcore band from New Jersey.- Bands :* Torment - drums * Under Control - drums * Rorschach - drums...
- Drums - Nick Forte - Guitar
- Keith Huckins - Guitar
- Chris Laucella - Bass (sometimes)
- Thom Rusnak - Bass (other times)
Discography
In order from the final release to their first release:- Live In Italy '92 - CD/12" (Gern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten Records is an independent record label based in River Edge, New Jersey.The label's acts have included The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Canyon, Chisel, the Van Pelt, Radio 4, The Flesh, and Rye Coalition...
) - Autopsy Discography - CD (Gern Blandsten)
- 1.6 Band - split 7" (Chainsaw Safety)
- Protestant - 12" (Gern Blandsten)
- Needlepack 7" (Wardance)
- Neanderthal - split 7" (Vermiform)
- Remain Sedate 12" (Vermiform, later on Gern Blandsten)
Compilation appearances
- God's Chosen People (1993, Old Glory)
- Fear of Smell 12" (1993, Vermiform)
- Look At All The Children Now (1990, Evacuate)
- Forever 7" (1990)
Related bands
- Computer Cougar - Charles Maggio, Nick Forte
- DeadguyDeadguyDeadguy was a metalcore band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.-History:Formed in 1994, Deadguy took inspiration from bands like Unsane and Today is the Day. The band took their name from a line in the John Candy movie, Only the Lonely,...
- Keith Huckins - Die 116 - Andrew Gormley
- Kiss It GoodbyeKiss It GoodbyeKiss it Goodbye was a hardcore band from Seattle, Washington, USA that existed from 1997 - 1998.After calling it quits with the New Jersey band Deadguy, Tim Singer and Keith Huckins moved on to form Kiss it Goodbye with bassist Thom Rusnack and drummer Andrew Gormley...
- Andrew Gormley, Keith Huckins, Thom Rusnak - Playing Enemy - Andrew Gormley, Thom Rusnak
- Shai HuludShai Hulud (band)Shai Hulud is an American hardcore punk band with progressive metal influences, originally formed in Pompano Beach, Florida, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, New York....
- Andrew Gormley - Radio To Saturn - Nick Forte
- [(Bone of Contention)]- Keith Huckins, Charles Maggio
External links
- Gern Blandsten Records - Charles Maggio's record label, including a short biography of Rorschach
- Another site on Rorschach
- Rorschach - BandToBand.com