Cryptic Slaughter
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2019) |
Cryptic Slaughter | |
---|---|
Also known as | Lowlife (2018–2021) |
Origin | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 1984–1988, 1989–1990, 2002–2003, 2021–present |
Labels | Metal Blade, Relapse |
Members | Les Evans Scott Peterson Brad Mowen Matt Olivo Menno Verbaten |
Past members | Bill Crooks Bret Davis Dave Hollingsworth Brian Lehfeldt Rob Nicholson |
Cryptic Slaughter is an American crossover thrash band based in Santa Monica, California, and originally formed in 1984.
Biography
Cryptic Slaughter was formed in 1984 by Les Evans (age 17), Scott Peterson (age 14), and Adam Scott (age 15), who met through their mutual participation in the American Youth Soccer League (AYSO). Soon they were joined by Bill Crooks (age 15), a friend of Adam Scott and a fellow soccer player. Adam Scott was let go a few months later due to conflicts regarding his parents and school.
Their first demo, Life in Grave, was produced in 1985 and became well circulated in the burgeoning
The original line-up recorded their final studio album, Stream of Consciousness, in 1988.[1] Unhappy with the recording process and the album's production, the band's internal problems were magnified by life on the road. They broke up in the summer on tour before Stream was released later that fall.[1] They played their last show in Detroit on July 14, 1988.
Shortly after returning home, however, guitarist Les Evans and bassist Rob Nicholson recruited new member Eli Nelson and continued on in a new direction. This new incarnation was short-lived, however, and Evans moved to Portland in May 1989 to reform the band with an entirely new line-up. The final Cryptic Slaughter album, Speak Your Peace (1990),[1] was a definite departure from the previous material, heavily influenced by a changing music scene.
Cryptic Slaughter is often credited as one of the progenitors of crossover, the thrash metal and hardcore crossover genre, along with such seminal acts as D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity and Suicidal Tendencies.
In 2003, Relapse Records reissued Convicted and Money Talks with added bonus tracks from Cryptic Slaughter's demo and live recordings.
In 2018, due to legal reasons, the band changed its name to Lowlife and continued to tour, until October 2021, when Lowlife reverted its name back to Cryptic Slaughter. They were planning on releasing their first studio album in more than three decades in 2022,[2] though there have been no updates on it since then.
Members
Current members
- Les Evans – guitar (1984–1990, 2002–2003, 2021–present), bass (1988–1999, 2002–2003)
- Scott Peterson – drums (1984–1988, 2021–present)
- Brad Mowen – vocals (2021–present)
- Dave Webb – guitar (2022-present)
- Menno Verbaten – bass (2021–present)
Former members
- Dave Hollingsworth – vocals (1989–1990)
- Adam Scott – guitar (1984–1985)
- Bill Crooks – vocals (1984–1988)
- Rob Nicholson – bass (1984–1988)
- Bret Davis – bass (1989–1990)
- Brian Lehfeldt – drums (1989–1990, 2002–2003)
- Chris Merrow – vocals (2002–2003)
- Matt Olivo – guitars (2021)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Convicted (1986)
- Money Talks (1987)
- Stream of Consciousness (1988)
- Speak Your Peace (1990)
EPs
- Band in S.M. (2003)
Demos
- Life in Grave (1985)
References
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
- ^ "Cryptic Slaughter - Reunited, To Release First Album In Over 30 Years". Metal Storm. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.