Candlelight Records has confirmed November 11th as the North American release date for Obsideo, the new album from Dutch metal extremists PESTILENCE. Produced by vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mameli, the album is the band's inaugural recording for the label and first new material from the four-piece since 2011.
"We have gone beyond our human limits to achieve the highest form of brutal music," reveals Mameli when discussing the album's creation. "The musicianship is such high quality; it is really ten of the most demanding songs written in death metal."
Together with long-time guitarist Patrick Uterwijk, Mameli, bassist George Maier and drummer Dave Haley deliver a blistering and genre-lifting effort. "I am chuffed to have Dave in the lineup," confirmed Mameli earlier this year while discussing the band's updated cast. "He is one of the best extreme drummers in the world and his talent bring PESTILENCE to new levels. George is a young and talented bass player that will turn some heads. Both are really down to earth and real easy going guys. Patrick, of course, is my most respected and long-going friend and musician."
Obsideo boasts Mameli and his innovative guitar work. Utilizing eight-string guitars for the album's recording, the celebrated musician expands his already massive arsenal of riffs. "The eight string guitar opens a lot of doors," notes Mameli. "It gives lots of new musical options and allows us to make the music sound more brutal than before. It also forces me to sing in a higher pitch because I don't want my vocals in the way of the low-tuned guitar parts. My vocals sound more intense and manic than before."
Formed in 1986, PESTILENCE took influence from early American and German thrash metal to cultivate its now signature death metal sound. Recording four albums before disbanding in 1994, the band helped to usher the rise in popularity for the genre. Fourteen years later the band reformed; releasing two albums and exciting fans with live performances around the globe. "Mameli and company chose to steer efforts down paths previously unexplored whilst maintaining their vintage essence," noted Chronicles of Chaos on the band's 2009 album, Resurrection Macabre (Mascot). PESTILENCE plans to begin touring in support of Obsideo in the early months of 2014; North America to be included in their worldwide takeover. The band's last stateside performance was as a featured artist on the second annual 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise that left Miami shores on January 23, 2012.
Obsideo Track-Listing:
1. Obsideo
2. Displaced
3. Aura Negative
4. NecroMorph
5. Laniatus
6. Distress
7. Soulrot
8. Saturation
9. Transition
10. Superconscious
PESTILENCE is exclusively endorsed by Ibanez Guitars and Pyramid Strings.
CONCEIVED BY HATE is a Death/Thrash Metal act coming right from the catacombs of El Salvador in Central America formed back in 2002. After releasing a demo in ‘05 and a mini CD in ‘09, the band started to work on their debut full lgenth album which was finally released in 2012. Under the title of "Pestilence Reborn" (9 tracks - Morbid Skull Rec.), this album including some vocal parts sung in their ancient native tongue Nahuatl. Any lovers of bands like THE CROWN, AT THE GATES, KREATOR, DARK TRANQUILLITY, DEATH, DEFLESHED... watch out for this promising band!!
1. Pestilence Reborn 2. Vengeance is the Law 3. Lost in the Gardens of Hate 4. That the Silence Wakes Them Up 5. At the Gates of Nowhere (mp3) 6. In a Conscious Trauma 7. Intransitive Dimensions 8. As the Fire Blessed my Pain 9. Guardians of the Ancient Wisdom
Candlelight Records today confirms the worldwide signing ofPESTILENCE. The celebrated eastern Netherlands-based band is currently preparing to enter the studio to begin work on their seventh studio album, titledObsideo. The album is expected to be produced by vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mameli and set to feature ten new songs. No release date is set as of press time.
The band comments, “PESTILENCE is very excited to announce that they have signed a recording deal with Candlelight Records. We feel that our new material is very special and innovative and that it needs the back up of a solid company like Candlelight to get it out there to the metal world.”
Obsideo will feature band mastermind Mameli and long-time partner guitarist Patrick Uterwijk with new German bassist George Maier and Australian drummer Dave Haley. Mameli notes, “PESTILENCE is chuffed to have Dave Haley in the lineup. Dave is one of the five best extreme drummers in the world, and his talent brings PESTILENCE to new levels that couldn't be reached otherwise. Georg Maier is a young and talented bass player that will turn some heads. Both guys are really down to earth and real easy going. Of course, Patrick Uterwijk is my most respectable and long-going friend and musician.”
Formed in 1986, PESTILENCE took influence from early American and German thrash metal to cultivate its now signature death metal sound. Four albums would see release and continued worldwide growth for the band before members decided to go separate ways in 1994. Fourteen years later, the band would reform and in 2009 released Resurrection Macabre (Mascot). On review, noted website Chronicles Of Chaos said, “Mameli and company chose to steer this effort down paths previously unexplored whilst maintaining their unmistakably vintage essence.” Blabbermouth added, “distinctive and unique… a diverse and satisfying metal experience.”
In recent years, PESTILENCE has also returned to the live stage; their first North American tour in over 16 years commenced at the annual Maryland Death Fest May 30, 2010. Commenting to Noisecreep after announcement of the 18-city tour, Mameli said, “we will put our heart and soul into these upcoming shows and hope to make lots of fans happy with both old and new material." PESTILENCE was a featured performer on the second annual 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise that left Miami on January 23, 2012. The band performed two sets on the popular Caribbean cruise that also featured Cannibal Corpse, Crowbar, My Dying Bride, Samael, Overkill, and Venom among others.
PESTILENCE is exclusively endorsed by Ibanez Guitars and Pyramid Strings.
Legendary progressive tech metallers, PESTILENCE, will release their sixth full-length to North American masses on July 19, 2011 via Mascot Records. Titled Doctrine, the 11-track long player was recorded and mixed at Woodshed Studio in southern Germany with vocalist/guitarist by Patrick Mameli, Yuma van Eekelen and Victor Bullok (Triptykon, Dark Fortress) and offers up a torrent of thought-provoking lyrics, dissonant chords, complex rhythm patterns and low-tuned riffs. While not a "concept album" in the traditional sense, the record is largely based around the various ways humanity often suffers under the burden of religion and politics. “I always put a lot of effort in the lyrics,” comments vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mameli. “I never felt the need to write ‘gore’ lyrics, like so many other bands do. I am aware of what is going on in the world and I have the feeling that I have something to say about it.”
Check out Doctrine's Marko Saarelainen cover art HEREor above.
PESTILENCE started in 1986 and were initially influenced by American and German thrash. By the time of their second album however, 1989’s Consuming Impulse, the band had developed its own brand of brutal death metal. In the years that followed, PESTILENCE became one of the prime bands in the international death metal scene. The group toured relentlessly, further honing their skills and absorbing outside influences. This inevitably lead to 1993’s timeless Spheres full-length, on which founding member Mameli combined his well-loved death metal sound with a new musical passion: fusion. The album was an artistic triumph, but was also many years ahead of its time. In 1994 PESTILENCE disbanded and Mameli withdrew from the music scene.
The band announced its comeback in 2008. Any possible skepticism was blown away when, in 2009, new album, Resurrection Macabre, hit streets. PESTILENCE's still-loyal fan-base was treated to a production that had all the classic ingredients, but showcased even more musicianship than before. The international lineup consisted of singer/guitarist Mameli, bassist Tony Choy, drummer Peter Wildoer and guitarist Patrick Uterwijk. Following its release, the band toured Europe, the US and South America, playing for old and new fans alike. “The magic was there again,” says Mameli, looking back.
Never a band to rest on its proverbial laurels, PESTILENCE returns with Doctrine. Dominated by the eight-string guitar work of Mameli and Uterwijk, songs burn with brutal, low-edged sound that sets a new standard in extreme metal. “The eight-string guitar opened a lot of new doors for us,” says Mameli. “It gives us lots of new musical options and allows us to make the music sound more brutal than ever before. At the same time, it forced me to sing in a higher pitch, because I didn’t want to get my vocals in the way of the low-tuned guitar parts. It was a blessing in disguise. My vocals sound more intense and manic than before.
”Doctrine features a partly new lineup that is entirely Dutch again. Obscura bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling, who was already around during the Spheres days, rejoins the fold in addition to new recruit, 23-year-old drummer Yuma van Eekelen, who is also making his name as a member of The New Dominion. “It was partly out of idealism that I returned in 2008 with an international lineup,” Mameli recalls. “It was a great experience, but it was very hard to really work together due to the distance and time. For instance, we never had the possibility to practice on a regular basis. We do now. We exchange ideas, go out together and tell each other which cool albums to check out. Just like in the old tape-trader days. It’s great. PESTILENCE finally feels like a real band again."
To check out the songs "Sinister" and "Salvation" off Doctrine, visit THIS LOCATION.
To check out a video interview with Thesseling, who talks with De Bassist at length about his expert use of his seven-string, fretless bass, point your browser HEREor below.
Thrash Metal (1986-1988), Death Metal (1989-1991, 2008-), Progressive Metal (1993)
Lyrical theme(s)
Death, Suffering, Personal Thoughts
Origin Formed in Current label Status
Netherlands (Enschede, Overijssel) 1986 Mascot Active
Current line-up
Patrick Mameli - Vocals, Guitars (1986-1994, 2008-) (C-187)
Patrick Uterwijk - Guitars (1989-1994, 2008-) (Theriac)
Jeroen Paul Thesseling - Bass (1992-1994, 2009-) (Obscura)
Yuma Van Eekelen - Drums (2009-) (The New Dominion, Brutus)
Former/past member(s)
Vocals:
Martin Van Drunen (1986-1990, also Bass) (Hail Of Bullets, Bunkur, Bolt Thrower, Asphyx (Nld), Comecon, Submission (Nld), Death by Dawn, Mortuary I.O.D.)
Guitars:
Randy Meinhard (1986-1989) (Submission (Nld), Sacrosanct (Nld), Neon Dream)
Bass:
Tony Choy (1991-1992, 2008-2009) (Atheist, Cynic (USA), Area 305, C-187)
Jack Dodd
Drums:
Marco Foddis (1986-1994) (Sacrosanct (Nld))
Peter Wildoer (Session, 2008-2009) (Non-Human Level, Darkane, Majestic (Swe), Electrocution 250, Arch Enemy, Armageddon (Swe), Agretator/Demise (Swe), Silver Seraph, Grimmark, Gardens of Obscurity, Old Man's Child, Zaninez, Time Requiem)
Additional notes
Photo left to right: Yuma, Patrick Uterwijk, Patrick Mameli, Jeroen.
Pestilence were originally formed in the Netherlands in the mid 1986 as a thrash metal band. Later they became a death metal band and incorporated more jazz and fusion influences in their music.
After releasing a number of albums, Pestilence broke up in 1994 when band members decided to work on their own bands.
Patrick Mameli reformed the band in 2008.
Birth dates:
Patrick Mameli (23rd November 1966, Netherlands)
Tony Choy (1970, Havana, Cuba)
Peter Wildoer (September 1974, Sweden)
Martin van Drunen (1966, Netherlands)
Discography
Dysentery Demo, 1987
The Penance Demo, 1987
Malleus Maleficarum Full-length, 1988
Consuming Impulse Full-length, 1989
Testimony of the Ancients Full-length, 1991
Spheres Full-length, 1993
Mind Reflections Best of/Compilation, 1994
Chronicles of the Scourge Live album, 2006
The Consuming Rehearsals (1989) Best of/Compilation, 2006
The deathlike silence that surrounded Pestilence for 15 years will be blown to pieces in early 2009 with the release of the brand new studio album Resurrection Macabre. It’s a stunning musical statement that will bring back the band to the forefront of the international death metal community. The album is a display of the timeless power of brutal death metal brought with the modern day technique and skill of experienced musicians.
The brand new album was recorded in Denmark, with producer Jacob Hansen behind the desk The new incarnation of Pestilence consists of original band member Patrick Mameli, the American bass wizard Tony Choy (Atheist, Cynic, a.o.) and powerhouse drummer Peter Wildoer (Arch Enemy, Darkane, a.o.). Guitar player Patrick Uterwijk will join the band for the live shows.
Pestilence erupted in the mid 80’s from the eastern part of Holland as one of the earliest European representatives of a brand new extreme kind of music: death metal. It’s debut Malleus Maleficarum from 1988 had a huge impact on the then current metal scene. Pestilence spread like wildfire during the years that followed. The band managed to bland brute force, morbid imagery and musical perfection into music that was truly groundbreaking and highly influential. Consuming Impulse from 1989 and Testimony Of The Ancients from 1991 were internationally received masterpieces that helped to define an era and a musical genre.
Pestilence developed itself in a spectacular way in a few frantic years, despite relentless touring and promotional obligations. And... Patrick Mameli was never the one to play it safe. So in 1993 he started composing and recording what was to be the Spheres album. A growing fondness of fusion music found it’s way to the new style that Pestilence presented. In recent years the albums had been heralded as a adventurous and daring piece of work that was ahead of it’s time. Way back then it was misunderstood and fell on many deaf ears. It created tension in and around the band.
In 1994 the band came to a crushing halt. For many years Patrick Mameli, who had been such a vocal factor in the international death metal community, seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth. His appetite for musical adventure and stubborn character shaped the music of his new band C-187, that debuted in 2007. Although the album brought him no new successes, it marked his long awaited return to the world of heavy music. It did not take long for fans around the world to voice their desire for a return of the mighty Pestilence.
,,When so many people asked to resurrect Pestilence it got me thinking. For many years it was a closed chapter. I have always been very clear about that. The last couple of years I discovered to my amazement that the band had not been forgotten, but still meant a lot to many fans. So there were a few things that got the ball rolling. First of all the fans. I also noticed that old school death metal was making a come back. It did wet my appetite. I discovered that I felt the urge to get involved again with the great musical tradition that is death metal. I wanted to leave my own mark again. Another important factor was that I knew that with Tony Choy and Peter Wildoer by my side I had found the right people to make this dream come true. These guys are both absolutely stunning musicians. Simply the best one could wish for. Their creative input on the album is invaluable.”
The result of many months of hard work is aptly titled Resurrection Macabre. The new album has everything to offer that a fan of Pestilence – old and new – possibly could wish for. And more. It has the dark atmosphere, brutal vocals, sheer power and technical skills – always the trademarks of Pestilence. Patrick Mameli stresses that his band is not going to take the easy ride of nostalgia. ,,I don’t want to rely on successes of the past. This is not a reunion, but a second life for Pestilence. That’s why we wanted to mark our comeback with a new studio album. Stylistically it goes back to the days of Consuming Impulse and Testimony Of the Ancients, but it’s also apparent that time did not stand still. I am a better musician than a was back then. Compared to the old days the technical possibilities are limitless.”
Another link to the glory days of the past are the three old Pestilence songs that get a new life on the new album: Chemo Therapy, Out Of the Body and Lost Souls, all coming from the first two Pestilence albums. ,,It seemed like a good idea to connect ourselves to our musical past. Apart from that I liked the idea of revisiting those old songs and to see what they would sound like when performed and recorded in this advanced day and age.”
Following the release of Resurrection Macabre Pestilence will support the album old heavy metal style: by hitting the road for a still growing number of gigs worldwide. The first responses of fans, promoters and media are overwhelming and unanimous: Pestilence are back!
