Acrostichon
Encyclopedia
Acrostichon is a death metal
band from the Netherlands that began in 1989. They were active in the early Netherlands death metal scene with groups like Pestilence
, Asphyx
and Gorefest
.
In November 1989 Vincent was replaced by Roeland and in this lineup Acrostichon played their first gigs. In March 1990 Acrostichon recorded their “Prologue” demo which contained the songs “Immolation of theAgnostic”, “Havoc”, “Mentally Deficient” and “Elaborate Ritual”. The demo got great reviews. The tape also made it possible to do more and bigger gigs. In June 1990 Serge replaced Roeland resulting in the classic line-up of the first album. A successful appearance with Carcass, Hellbastard and Gorefest on “Christmas Carnage” followed.
In early 1991 Acrostichon entered RS29 to record the “Dehumanized” demo. This tape contained four new tracks, called “Dehumanized”, “Thriving on Chaos”, Exasperation” and “Lost Remembrance”. It proved to be the final breakthrough in the Dutch underground scene. More than 1000 copies were sold. Songs of the demo were featured on the “Where Is Your God Now” LP published by D.S.F.A. Promotions and a 7″ was released by Seraphic Decay Records (The “Lost Remembrance” EP). Several labels showed interest in signing the band. “Relics” was recorded to be featured on the Peaceville Volume 4
sampler and Acrostichon signed a contract for an album with the French Modern Primitive Records.
Acrostichon played many gigs with great bands like: Carcass, Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Death, Master, Massacra, Sodom, Revenant, Asphyx, Hellbastard, Lemming project, Atrocity, Cerebral Fix, Tiamat, Samael, Gorefest, Thanatos, Dead Head, Sinister, The Gathering, Pungent Stench, and many more.
In 1998 the band broke up and Jos, Serge, Michel and Tjerk (who replaced Corinne in the final line-up), decided to start a new band: Outburst
The band had a great time and decided to continue. Although not in full active duty, Acrostichon will play occasional gigs.
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 the Netherlands that began in 1989. They were active in the early Netherlands death metal scene with groups like Pestilence
Pestilence (band)
Pestilence is a death metal band from the Netherlands founded in 1986. Later they incorporated more jazz and fusion elements into their music. After disbanding in order to pursue other musical directions in 1994, Pestilence has reunited in 2008...
, Asphyx
Asphyx
Asphyx is a Dutch death/doom band that was formed in Overijssel in 1987.-Biography:The band was formed in 1987 by Bob Bagchus and Tonny Brookhuis. Eric Daniels was found as a second guitarist and Chuck Colli joined on vocals and bass guitar; this line up released the Enter the Domain demo...
and Gorefest
Gorefest
Gorefest was a Dutch band from the Zeeland region of the Netherlands which was founded in 1988 as a death metal outfit by De Koeyer, Harthoorn, van Schaik and Hoogendoorn.-History:...
.
Formation and early years
Acrostichon from Tilburg, Holland was formed in August 1989 when Jos (guitar), Richard (guitar) and Corinne (vocals) found a rehearsal-room and a drummer (Vincent). In those days Acrostichon played some songs of Richard’s old project: United Brains (“Mentally Deficient” and “Havoc”), and the first Acrostichon songs were written (“Xenophobic Mania”, “Immolation of the Agnostic”, and “Elaborate Ritual”).In November 1989 Vincent was replaced by Roeland and in this lineup Acrostichon played their first gigs. In March 1990 Acrostichon recorded their “Prologue” demo which contained the songs “Immolation of theAgnostic”, “Havoc”, “Mentally Deficient” and “Elaborate Ritual”. The demo got great reviews. The tape also made it possible to do more and bigger gigs. In June 1990 Serge replaced Roeland resulting in the classic line-up of the first album. A successful appearance with Carcass, Hellbastard and Gorefest on “Christmas Carnage” followed.
In early 1991 Acrostichon entered RS29 to record the “Dehumanized” demo. This tape contained four new tracks, called “Dehumanized”, “Thriving on Chaos”, Exasperation” and “Lost Remembrance”. It proved to be the final breakthrough in the Dutch underground scene. More than 1000 copies were sold. Songs of the demo were featured on the “Where Is Your God Now” LP published by D.S.F.A. Promotions and a 7″ was released by Seraphic Decay Records (The “Lost Remembrance” EP). Several labels showed interest in signing the band. “Relics” was recorded to be featured on the Peaceville Volume 4
Peaceville Volume 4
Peaceville Volume 4 is a 1992 compilation sampling various artists and genres within the Peaceville record label. Many of the tracks have brief sound collages between songs, which feature clips ranging from films to interviews with then-current Peaceville artists.-Track listing:#Pentagram / Sign...
sampler and Acrostichon signed a contract for an album with the French Modern Primitive Records.
Engraved in Black
In March 1992 Acrostichon recorded their debut album, called “Engraved in Black”, with producer Colin Richardson. To great frustration of the band it took the label almost a year to release the album. Finally, in early 1993 “Engraved in Black” was available.Acrostichon played many gigs with great bands like: Carcass, Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Death, Master, Massacra, Sodom, Revenant, Asphyx, Hellbastard, Lemming project, Atrocity, Cerebral Fix, Tiamat, Samael, Gorefest, Thanatos, Dead Head, Sinister, The Gathering, Pungent Stench, and many more.
Sentenced and break-up
In 1994 Richard left the band to concentrate on his other band Black Melody (Later to become Robotmonster) and was replaced by Michel on guitar. He still accounted for the artwork. They signed a record deal with Double Noise Records and in January 1995 the CD-EP “Forgotten” was released later on to be followed by the second album “Sentenced”.In 1998 the band broke up and Jos, Serge, Michel and Tjerk (who replaced Corinne in the final line-up), decided to start a new band: Outburst
Reunion gig and present
Years past and after several requests to reunite the band Jos, Corinne, Serge and Richard decided to play for close friend Mario on his “Mario’s Metal Mania” festival, on Oct 4th 2009.The band had a great time and decided to continue. Although not in full active duty, Acrostichon will play occasional gigs.
Demos
- Rehearsal Tape (1989)
- Prologue (1990)
- Official Live Tape 6/19/90 (1990)
- Live Promo 1991 (1991)
- Dehumanized (1991)
Acrostichon songs on Compilations
- Seraphic Decay sampler (1991) Features the complete "Dehumanized" demo
- Where is your god now (1991) Features "Mentally Deficient"
- Peaceville Volume 4Peaceville Volume 4Peaceville Volume 4 is a 1992 compilation sampling various artists and genres within the Peaceville record label. Many of the tracks have brief sound collages between songs, which feature clips ranging from films to interviews with then-current Peaceville artists.-Track listing:#Pentagram / Sign...
(1992) Features "Relics" - DSFA 6: Paradise of the underground (1994) Features "Day of wreckening" and "Murder"
- Awakening: Females in extreme music (1997) Features "Pain"