Salem Orchid
Encyclopedia
Salem Orchid was a death metal
band from London UK. Formed in 1988, they are best known for a two track demo released in 1991 composed of the songs 'Sempiternal Suffering' and 'The Nirvana Of Agony'. The demo became well known for its satanic lyrical content and high speed playing. The line-up at this time consisted of Jason Mendonca
(Vocals and Guitar), Steve Wood (Guitar), Dan Temple (bass guitar) and David Gray (Drums).
The band split shortly after and re-emerged in 1992 with a line-up of Nikkie (ex-Crematorium & Necrocannibal Dissection) on Vocals and Guitar, Steve Wood (Guitar), Matt Platts (Bass Guitar) and David Gray (Drums). Matt Platts was later replaced by Andrea Zoccoli(ex Crematorium & Necrocannibal Dissection)
The band emerged again in 1995 with a new line-up of Matt Platts (Guitar, vocals), Peter Theobalds
(Lead Guitar), Caroline Batt (Bass Guitar) and David Gray (Drums). The music was much more experimental than before as the band began taking large influences from bands such as Killing Joke
and Sonic Youth
and mixing them with extreme metal. The band also played live under different names. Only demo tapes are known to exist from this phase.
David Gray, Jason Mendonca and Peter Theobalds
later regrouped as Akercocke
in 1997, and to date have released five albums in the blackened death metal genre. Tracks on a limited edition release of Akerckocke's debut album 'Rape Of The Bastard Nazarene' have featured early Salem Orchid songs as bonus tracks.
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 London UK. Formed in 1988, they are best known for a two track demo released in 1991 composed of the songs 'Sempiternal Suffering' and 'The Nirvana Of Agony'. The demo became well known for its satanic lyrical content and high speed playing. The line-up at this time consisted of Jason Mendonca
Jason Mendonca
Jason Mendonca is a British multi-instrumentalist and composer.He is best known as the vocalist and guitarist of the British progressive blackened death metal band Akercocke, although he also achieved notoriety throughout the experimental electronic movement of the 1990s.- Early life :Mendonca was...
(Vocals and Guitar), Steve Wood (Guitar), Dan Temple (bass guitar) and David Gray (Drums).
The band split shortly after and re-emerged in 1992 with a line-up of Nikkie (ex-Crematorium & Necrocannibal Dissection) on Vocals and Guitar, Steve Wood (Guitar), Matt Platts (Bass Guitar) and David Gray (Drums). Matt Platts was later replaced by Andrea Zoccoli(ex Crematorium & Necrocannibal Dissection)
The band emerged again in 1995 with a new line-up of Matt Platts (Guitar, vocals), Peter Theobalds
Peter Theobalds
Peter Theobalds is an English born musician and artist. He was originally guitarist for a multitude of underground bands including Xerox Girls , Photographing Girls , Three Days By Camel , Salem Orchid and eventually turned bassist with indie...
(Lead Guitar), Caroline Batt (Bass Guitar) and David Gray (Drums). The music was much more experimental than before as the band began taking large influences from bands such as Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
and Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and mixing them with extreme metal. The band also played live under different names. Only demo tapes are known to exist from this phase.
David Gray, Jason Mendonca and Peter Theobalds
Peter Theobalds
Peter Theobalds is an English born musician and artist. He was originally guitarist for a multitude of underground bands including Xerox Girls , Photographing Girls , Three Days By Camel , Salem Orchid and eventually turned bassist with indie...
later regrouped as Akercocke
Akercocke
Akercocke is an English progressive blackened death metal band from London, England. They take their name from a talking monkey in Robert Nye's interpretation of the Faust-legend, and are notable for their heavily Satanic and sexual lyrical content....
in 1997, and to date have released five albums in the blackened death metal genre. Tracks on a limited edition release of Akerckocke's debut album 'Rape Of The Bastard Nazarene' have featured early Salem Orchid songs as bonus tracks.
External links
- Akercocke Official website
- [ Akercocke on Allmusic.com]