Immolation (band)
Immolation | |
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![]() Immolation at Metal Frenzy in 2019 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Rigor Mortis (1986–1988) |
Origin | Yonkers, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Death metal |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | Roadrunner, Metal Blade, Listenable, Nuclear Blast |
Members | Robert Vigna Ross Dolan Steve Shalaty Alex Bouks |
Past members | Thomas Wilkinson Alex Hernandez Craig Smilowski Neal Boback Bill Taylor |
Website | immolation |
Immolation is an American death metal band from Yonkers, New York. They are considered one of the leaders of the New York death metal scene along with Incantation, Mortician and Suffocation.
History
Immolation was founded after the demise of Rigor Mortis (NY), a band formed in May 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz (bass guitar, vocals) Dave Wilkinson (drums), and Robert Vigna (guitar). After recording the Decomposed and Warriors of Doom demos, Sakowicz left the band in early 1988 and was replaced by Ross Dolan, and the band's name was changed to "Immolation". The new lineup put out two studio demos, in 1988 and 1989, and gained a worldwide following in the underground death metal scene. Immolation signed a record deal with
In May 2001, Immolation were the headliners for a tour in Europe with supporting bands: Deranged, Deströyer 666, Decapitated and Soul Demise.[1] Unholy Cult saw the departure of guitarist Thomas Wilkinson and the addition of ex-Angelcorpse guitarist Bill Taylor. Steve Shalaty replaced Hernandez on Harnessing Ruin. In February 2008, Immolation toured the US alongside bands such as Rotting Christ, Belphegor and Averse Sefira.[2] In January and February 2010, Immolation toured with headliner Nile along with Krisiun, Rose Funeral, and Dreaming Dead.[3]
In March 2010, Immolation released
Musical style and lyrical themes
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Immolation_Metal_Frenzy_2019_22.jpg/220px-Immolation_Metal_Frenzy_2019_22.jpg)
Immolation uses riffs written in
Guitarist Robert Vigna and vocalist/bassist Ross Dolan have been the only constant members throughout the band's history. Vigna is considered to be one of the most talented death metal guitarists[8] and is well known for his complex riffing and wailing solos.
The band's lyrics from
We did kind of leave the religious themes alone, because we were very passionate about that for the first number of records. And once Unholy Cult came out, that was where we branched off. That's where the shift happened, 'cause that was right after
9/11, as you know! I saw it, I went down there, I had family that got killed in the towers, and it was a life-changing event in a lot of ways. And I knew at that point that things would never be the same, in our country or in the world. And that's where the shift happened, and we started to focus more on the darker side of humanity. Which we did already with the religious themes, of course, because that was a very dark part of our history. I mean not to knock anybody who's very passionate about their religion, but in my personal point of view, I've always thought of it as a very controlling and negative force. It serves as a division in our world, it divides people, just like so many other things! So that's where we are, and that's where that shift started, away from religion and into something more socially relevant and looking more deeply at ourselves.[9]
Discography
Studio albums
- Dawn of Possession (1991)
- Here in After (1996)
- Failures for Gods (1999)
- Close to a World Below (2000)
- Unholy Cult (2002)
- Harnessing Ruin (2005)
- Shadows in the Light (2007)
- Majesty and Decay (2010)
- Kingdom of Conspiracy (2013)
- Atonement (2017)
- Acts of God (2022)[5]
EPs
- Hope and Horror (EP + DVD, 2007)
- Providence (EP, 2011)
DVD
- Bringing Down the World (DVD, 2004)
Compilation
- Stepping on Angels... Before Dawn(1995)
Members
- Robert Vigna – lead guitar (1986–present)
- Ross Dolan – bass, vocals (1988–present)
- Steve Shalaty – drums (2003–present)
- Alex Bouks – rhythm guitar (2016–present)
Former
- Andrew Sakowicz – bass, vocals (1986–1988)
- Dave Wilkinson – drums (1986–1988; died 2018)
- Thomas Wilkinson – rhythm guitar (1988–2001)
- Neal Boback – drums (1988–1989)
- Craig Smilowski – drums (1989–1996)
- Alex Hernandez – drums (1996–2003)
- Bill Taylor – rhythm guitar (2001–2016)
Live musicians
- John McEntee– rhythm guitar (2001)
Timeline
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/g4benw76am8ycte5s877p8j26833l5e.png)
References
- ^ Young, Garry-Sharpe. "Immolation Biography". MusicMight. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- About.com. Archived from the originalon January 7, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- ^ "Nile announces first metal tour of 2010 with Immolation, Krisiun, Dreaming Dead, and Rose Funeral". Metal Injection. July 15, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- ^ "Immolation - Providence EP | Scion Audio Visual". Scion A/V. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
- ^ a b "IMMOLATION Announces New Album 'Acts Of God', Drops Video For First Single 'Apostle'". Blabbermouth. December 10, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-1585-4. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ Schalek, Dave. "Essential Death Metal Albums". About.com. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ Dick, Chris (August 2007). "#15 Robert Vigna (Immolation)". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Finer, Sam (May 14, 2013). "Immolation (Ross Dolan) Interview". Metal Blast. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- Official Facebook
- Immolation at AllMusic
- Immolation at Encyclopaedia Metallum