Vital Remains
Encyclopedia
Vital Remains is an American
death metal
band from Providence, Rhode Island
formed in 1988.
Soon after their formation, the band released a pair of demos (1989's Reduced to Ashes and 1990's Excruciating Pain) which led to a contract with French label Thrash Records, who in turn released the single The Black Mass in 1991. Shortly after the release of the single, which proved to be the band's first and only release with the label, the band signed to Peaceville's subsidiary, Deaf Records. A pair of releases followed for the Peaceville label, 1992's Let Us Pray
and 1995's Into Cold Darkness
. However, after poor distribution and a lack of promotion from the label, the band requested that their contract be dissolved. At this stage, in 1997, the band's founder, Paul Flynn left Vital Remains. After a ten year hiatus he would return to the scene, and go on to found Godless Rising, an old school death metal band with original vocalist Jeff Gruslin. They quickly signed to Pathos Productions for a self-funded demo release, from that they were offered a full deal with Moribund Records out of Seattle, Washington. Due to the financial hardships and lack of support from other members, Paul would leave this project also.
Two years later the band signed a two-album deal with French label Osmose Records. In order to complete the line-up (which at this stage lacked a permanent drummer, bassist and lead guitarist), Dave Suzuki
was brought in. He would fill all of these roles as well as that of lyricist and backing vocalist. This led to the release of 1997's Forever Underground
and 2000's Dawn of the Apocalypse
, the latter of which marked a significant step towards a new, heavier sound which would become more prominent on their following albums.
Vocalist Thorn, who had handled vocal duties on Dawn of the Apocalypse, was soon fired from the band. This led to the addition in 2001 of Deicide
frontman Glen Benton
on vocals along with original member Tony Lazaro on guitars and Dave Suzuki on bass, drums, and lead guitars. The band's first album with Benton, 2003's Dechristianize
, was released to much critical acclaim. The band's next album, released in 2007, was Icons of Evil
. Vital Remains also put out its first live DVD, Evil-Death-Live, the same year, in Europe on 9 July, and in the US on 31 July through Polish label Metal Mind Productions.
On November 21, 2007, Vital Remains announced they are seeking a bassist and lead guitarist. No further information was given. On March 29, 2008, the band announced their latest tour line-up, excluding Dave Suzuki. It is presently unclear whether Suzuki is removed from the band permanently or if he is merely unable to tour for the time being.
Tony Lazaro is the only original member of the band.
In an interview with Metal Assault, Tony Lazaro announced that the band has new material and would be recording in late 2010 with an album to be released around December 2011.
they went for a purely death metal approach. Elements of their music that distinguishes them in their genre are the use of acoustic Spanish-style solos and their construction of excessively long songs. Many of the songs on more recent releases exceed seven minutes in length. With the addition of Dave Suzuki to the band, the lead guitar work took a much more prominent place within song construction. He also chose to employ a neoclassical style of soloing.
Live
Studio
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 Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
formed in 1988.
History
Created in 1988 by guitarist Paul Flynn, Vital Remains' first line-up consisted of guitarist Butch Machado, vocalist Mike Flynn, bassist Tom Supkow, and drummer Chris Dupont. Searching for better musicians, they added guitarist Tony Lazaro and vocalist Jeff Gruslin to the band. From there the band became a driving force in the local death metal scene. Lazaro and Flynn shared the writing duties in these early days.Soon after their formation, the band released a pair of demos (1989's Reduced to Ashes and 1990's Excruciating Pain) which led to a contract with French label Thrash Records, who in turn released the single The Black Mass in 1991. Shortly after the release of the single, which proved to be the band's first and only release with the label, the band signed to Peaceville's subsidiary, Deaf Records. A pair of releases followed for the Peaceville label, 1992's Let Us Pray
Let Us Pray
Let Us Pray is the debut album by the American death metal band Vital Remains. It was released by Deaf Records/Peaceville Records in 1991.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jeff Gruslin - vocals*Tony Lazaro - rhythm guitar*Paul Flynn - lead guitar...
and 1995's Into Cold Darkness
Into Cold Darkness
Into Cold Darkness is the second album by Vital Remains. It was released in 1995 by Peaceville Records, and re-issued in 2003 with two bonus tracks as a digipak.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jeff Gruslin – vocals*Paul Flynn – lead guitar...
. However, after poor distribution and a lack of promotion from the label, the band requested that their contract be dissolved. At this stage, in 1997, the band's founder, Paul Flynn left Vital Remains. After a ten year hiatus he would return to the scene, and go on to found Godless Rising, an old school death metal band with original vocalist Jeff Gruslin. They quickly signed to Pathos Productions for a self-funded demo release, from that they were offered a full deal with Moribund Records out of Seattle, Washington. Due to the financial hardships and lack of support from other members, Paul would leave this project also.
Two years later the band signed a two-album deal with French label Osmose Records. In order to complete the line-up (which at this stage lacked a permanent drummer, bassist and lead guitarist), Dave Suzuki
Dave Suzuki
Dave Suzuki is a death metal guitarist, drummer, bassist, vocalist, and lyricist from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is best known for his work with Vital Remains and Deicide....
was brought in. He would fill all of these roles as well as that of lyricist and backing vocalist. This led to the release of 1997's Forever Underground
Forever Underground
Forever Underground is the third album by the US death metal band Vital Remains. It was released in 1997 by Osmose Productions. It is extremely rare, as only about 1000 copies were made.- Track listing :...
and 2000's Dawn of the Apocalypse
Dawn of the Apocalypse
Dawn of the Apocalypse is the 4th full length album by the American death metal band Vital Remains.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Thorn - vocals*Tony Lazaro - rhythm guitar*Joe Lewis - bass...
, the latter of which marked a significant step towards a new, heavier sound which would become more prominent on their following albums.
Vocalist Thorn, who had handled vocal duties on Dawn of the Apocalypse, was soon fired from the band. This led to the addition in 2001 of Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
frontman Glen Benton
Glen Benton
Glen Benton is an American heavy metal musician best known as the vocalist and bassist for the death metal band Deicide, although he prefers not to use the 'death metal' terminology. He is also the studio vocalist for Vital Remains, and has performed live with them on a few occasions...
on vocals along with original member Tony Lazaro on guitars and Dave Suzuki on bass, drums, and lead guitars. The band's first album with Benton, 2003's Dechristianize
Dechristianize (album)
The fifth album by U.S. death metal band Vital Remains was released on August 22, 2003. The lyrics deal with the Dechristianization of France during the French Revolution...
, was released to much critical acclaim. The band's next album, released in 2007, was Icons of Evil
Icons of Evil
Icons of Evil is the sixth album by Vital Remains. It was released in April 2007. The sample in "Where is Your God Now" is taken from the Mel Gibson film The Passion of the Christ as well as the film, The Exorcist....
. Vital Remains also put out its first live DVD, Evil-Death-Live, the same year, in Europe on 9 July, and in the US on 31 July through Polish label Metal Mind Productions.
On November 21, 2007, Vital Remains announced they are seeking a bassist and lead guitarist. No further information was given. On March 29, 2008, the band announced their latest tour line-up, excluding Dave Suzuki. It is presently unclear whether Suzuki is removed from the band permanently or if he is merely unable to tour for the time being.
Tony Lazaro is the only original member of the band.
In an interview with Metal Assault, Tony Lazaro announced that the band has new material and would be recording in late 2010 with an album to be released around December 2011.
Style
Vital Remains earlier work was considered to be blackened death metal, with minor use of keyboards and ambient noise. After Forever UndergroundForever Underground
Forever Underground is the third album by the US death metal band Vital Remains. It was released in 1997 by Osmose Productions. It is extremely rare, as only about 1000 copies were made.- Track listing :...
they went for a purely death metal approach. Elements of their music that distinguishes them in their genre are the use of acoustic Spanish-style solos and their construction of excessively long songs. Many of the songs on more recent releases exceed seven minutes in length. With the addition of Dave Suzuki to the band, the lead guitar work took a much more prominent place within song construction. He also chose to employ a neoclassical style of soloing.
Current
- Tony Lazaro – rhythm guitars and bass (1988–present)
Live
- Scott Wily – lead vocals
- "Gator" Collier – bass
- Eddy Hoffman – drums
- John Hate – lead guitar
Studio
- Scott Wily – lead vocals
Former
- Paul Flynn - guitars
- Mike Flynn - vocals
- Jeff Gruslin - vocals (1989–1996, 1999)
- Chris Ross - vocals (1996–1997)
- Taylor Fishman - session lead guitars
- Joe Lewis - vocals, bass
- Tim YeungTim YeungTim Yeung is a prominent extreme metal drummer. He was born on November 27, 1978 in Rochester, New York and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Tim started playing drums when he was 11 years old.-Biography:...
- drums - Marco Pitruzzella - session drums
- Rick Corbett - drums
- Jim Juczyk - drums
- Chris Dupont - drums
- Rikki Rocket - drums
- Ace Alonzo - drums
- Kyle Severn - session drums
- Derek Boyer - session bass
- Istvan Lendvay - session bass
- Kelly ConlonKelly ConlonKelly Conlon is an American bass guitarist. He has been a hired member of Death and Monstrosity.-Career:Conlon was part of the Florida underground metal scene until 1994 when Orlando-based Chuck Schuldiner hired him to play with the international death metal band Death...
- session bass - Anthony Geremia - live vocals
- Thorn - vocals (1999–2003)
- Damien Boynton - live vocals
- Brian Hobbie - live bass
- Antonio Donadeo - live drums
- Glen BentonGlen BentonGlen Benton is an American heavy metal musician best known as the vocalist and bassist for the death metal band Deicide, although he prefers not to use the 'death metal' terminology. He is also the studio vocalist for Vital Remains, and has performed live with them on a few occasions...
- studio vocals (2003–2009) - Dave SuzukiDave SuzukiDave Suzuki is a death metal guitarist, drummer, bassist, vocalist, and lyricist from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is best known for his work with Vital Remains and Deicide....
- lead guitars, studio drums and bass (1997–2009)
Albums
- Let Us PrayLet Us PrayLet Us Pray is the debut album by the American death metal band Vital Remains. It was released by Deaf Records/Peaceville Records in 1991.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jeff Gruslin - vocals*Tony Lazaro - rhythm guitar*Paul Flynn - lead guitar...
(1992) - Into Cold DarknessInto Cold DarknessInto Cold Darkness is the second album by Vital Remains. It was released in 1995 by Peaceville Records, and re-issued in 2003 with two bonus tracks as a digipak.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jeff Gruslin – vocals*Paul Flynn – lead guitar...
(1995) - Forever UndergroundForever UndergroundForever Underground is the third album by the US death metal band Vital Remains. It was released in 1997 by Osmose Productions. It is extremely rare, as only about 1000 copies were made.- Track listing :...
(1997) - Dawn of the ApocalypseDawn of the ApocalypseDawn of the Apocalypse is the 4th full length album by the American death metal band Vital Remains.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Thorn - vocals*Tony Lazaro - rhythm guitar*Joe Lewis - bass...
(2000) - DechristianizeDechristianize (album)The fifth album by U.S. death metal band Vital Remains was released on August 22, 2003. The lyrics deal with the Dechristianization of France during the French Revolution...
(2003) - Icons of EvilIcons of EvilIcons of Evil is the sixth album by Vital Remains. It was released in April 2007. The sample in "Where is Your God Now" is taken from the Mel Gibson film The Passion of the Christ as well as the film, The Exorcist....
(2007) - Untitled New Album (2011)