Atheist (band)
Encyclopedia
Atheist is a technical death metal
band from Florida
, founded in 1984, whose music combines metal riffs with subtle Latin music arrangements and jazz fusion
.
, USA, firstly under the name Oblivion and later R.A.V.A.G.E. (which stands for Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End). They recorded their debut album, Piece of Time
, in 1988, which was released in Europe
in 1989, but not in the United States
until 1990. In 1991, bassist Roger Patterson
died in a car accident and Atheist recruited Tony Choy
to record their second album, Unquestionable Presence
. Atheist disbanded for the first time in 1992, reuniting in 1993 and recording their third album Elements, fulfilling their contractual requirements, before disbanding for the second time.
Seven years after their second break up, Kelly Shaefer decided to re-release and remaster their three albums with different bonus tracks.
Shaefer played with Neurotica
until 2002, whereas Tony Choy played in a number of other bands, including Area 305, Pestilence
and Cynic
. In 2001, Kelly Shaefer tried to regroup the band with all the original members with the addition of the acclaimed Kyle Sokol
from the Tampa Bay
area on bass guitar, replacing Tony Choy due to Choy's other band commitments according to a metal magazine interview. The band reunion at this time never came to fruition due to Neurotica going on OzzFest
.
Relapse Records
re-issued the band's three albums in late 2005, as well as a vinyl box set containing the three albums plus the R.A.V.A.G.E. demo On They Slay. Former drummer Steve Flynn has recently re-emerged in a new band called Gnostic.
In January, 2006, Atheist announced they were regrouping to perform live during the summer and autumn of that year. The line-up was Shaefer, Burkey, Choy and Flynn. Shaefer only provided vocals due to long battles with tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Gnostic guitarist Sonny Carson handled all of Shaefer's guitar parts. Recently Chris Baker of Gnostic has been replacing Burkey because of legal troubles.
On July 12, 2008, Shaefer issued the following update: "[I'm] heading to Atlanta next Friday to jam with ATHEIST drummer and my best friend Mr. Steve Flynn, this will mark the first time we have written together since 1991's 'Unquestionable Presence'. So I am curious how it will sound. I know it will be sick, there is a formula that me and Flynn have that automatically sounds like ATHEIST...so it will be fun to hear what it will sound like. And who knows? If it it goes well...?? We will see what happens."
On July 26, 2008, Kelly Shaefer announced through the Atheist myspace page the recording of a new studio album, which will be their first in 17 years. They also will go on a tour in Europe and the USA in 2009 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the release of their album Piece of Time. A live DVD will also be released from the tour.
On July 11, 2010, the band revealed the upcoming album's name as Jupiter
and announced that it is set for a November release.
The reformed Atheist have inked a deal with Season of Mist
.
On August 3, 2010, Kelly Shaefer and Steve Flynn announced on behalf of the band that Tony Choy would not be appearing on Jupiter but is still likely to appear in live performances with the band due to his own musical aspirations.
On November 8, 2010, Atheist released Jupiter.
As Atheist
Technical death metal
Technical death metal is a musical subgenre of death metal that focuses on complex rhythms, riffs and song structures. Technical experimentation in death metal began in the late '80s and early '90s by bands such as Death, Atheist and Cynic...
band from Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, founded in 1984, whose music combines metal riffs with subtle Latin music arrangements and jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
.
History
The band was founded in 1984 in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, USA, firstly under the name Oblivion and later R.A.V.A.G.E. (which stands for Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End). They recorded their debut album, Piece of Time
Piece of Time
-2002 Re-release:In 2002, EMG Entertainment re-released Piece of Time. Originally, EMG Entertainment was supposed to reissue all three Atheist albums, but Kelly Shaefer aborted those plans after only Piece of Time had been reissued...
, in 1988, which was released in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 1989, but not in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until 1990. In 1991, bassist Roger Patterson
Roger Patterson
Roger Patterson was an American bass player, well known for his work in the Florida death metal band Atheist. His playing style is characterized by its speed and complexity...
died in a car accident and Atheist recruited Tony Choy
Tony Choy
Tony Choy is an American electric bassist. He was a session musician for some well-known technical death metal bands such as Atheist, Cynic and the Dutch band Pestilence...
to record their second album, Unquestionable Presence
Unquestionable Presence
Unquestionable Presence is the second album by the death metal band Atheist. It was released in 1991 and added a new sound by using jazz-like harmonies, subtle latin rhythms and unusual time signatures.-Album information:...
. Atheist disbanded for the first time in 1992, reuniting in 1993 and recording their third album Elements, fulfilling their contractual requirements, before disbanding for the second time.
Seven years after their second break up, Kelly Shaefer decided to re-release and remaster their three albums with different bonus tracks.
Shaefer played with Neurotica
Neurotica (band)
Neurotica was started around 1995 by singer Kelly Schaefer and guitarist Shawn Bowen. Performances in local clubs brought the band to the attention of AC/DC singer and Sarasota resident Brian Johnson, who helped them find a management deal and produced their debut album, Seed...
until 2002, whereas Tony Choy played in a number of other bands, including Area 305, 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...
and Cynic
Cynic (band)
Cynic is an American progressive rock band, incorporating experimental music, alternative, metal and jazz fusion elements, founded in Miami, Florida and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Their first album, Focus, released on September 14, 1993, is widely regarded as a landmark release of...
. In 2001, Kelly Shaefer tried to regroup the band with all the original members with the addition of the acclaimed Kyle Sokol
Kyle Sokol
Kyle Sokol is an American bassist and skateboarder.Kyle Sokol is known for his style of bass playing that mostly consists of fast technical bass lines and has played in bands such as Kyle Sokol is an American [[bassist]] and [[skateboarder]]....
from the Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
area on bass guitar, replacing Tony Choy due to Choy's other band commitments according to a metal magazine interview. The band reunion at this time never came to fruition due to Neurotica going on OzzFest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
.
Relapse Records
Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
re-issued the band's three albums in late 2005, as well as a vinyl box set containing the three albums plus the R.A.V.A.G.E. demo On They Slay. Former drummer Steve Flynn has recently re-emerged in a new band called Gnostic.
In January, 2006, Atheist announced they were regrouping to perform live during the summer and autumn of that year. The line-up was Shaefer, Burkey, Choy and Flynn. Shaefer only provided vocals due to long battles with tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Gnostic guitarist Sonny Carson handled all of Shaefer's guitar parts. Recently Chris Baker of Gnostic has been replacing Burkey because of legal troubles.
On July 12, 2008, Shaefer issued the following update: "[I'm] heading to Atlanta next Friday to jam with ATHEIST drummer and my best friend Mr. Steve Flynn, this will mark the first time we have written together since 1991's 'Unquestionable Presence'. So I am curious how it will sound. I know it will be sick, there is a formula that me and Flynn have that automatically sounds like ATHEIST...so it will be fun to hear what it will sound like. And who knows? If it it goes well...?? We will see what happens."
On July 26, 2008, Kelly Shaefer announced through the Atheist myspace page the recording of a new studio album, which will be their first in 17 years. They also will go on a tour in Europe and the USA in 2009 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the release of their album Piece of Time. A live DVD will also be released from the tour.
On July 11, 2010, the band revealed the upcoming album's name as Jupiter
Jupiter (Atheist album)
Jupiter is the name of the fourth studio album by the American technical death metal band Atheist. It is their first studio album in 17 years since the release of Elements in 1993.-Overview:...
and announced that it is set for a November release.
The reformed Atheist have inked a deal with Season of Mist
Season of Mist
Season of Mist is a record label and record distributor with subsidiaries in France and the United States. The record label was founded in 1996 by Michael S. Berberian in Marseille, France. From the start releasing black metal, pagan metal and death metal records, the label moved on to releasing...
.
On August 3, 2010, Kelly Shaefer and Steve Flynn announced on behalf of the band that Tony Choy would not be appearing on Jupiter but is still likely to appear in live performances with the band due to his own musical aspirations.
On November 8, 2010, Atheist released Jupiter.
Current members
- Kelly Shaefer – vocals (1984–1994, 2006–present), guitars (1984–1994)
- Chris Baker – guitar (2006–present)
- Jason Holloway - guitar (2011–present)
- Travis Morgan – bass (2011–present)
- Steve Flynn – drums (1984–1991, 2006–present)
Former members
- Rand Burkey - guitar (1988–1992, 1993–1994)
- Roger PattersonRoger PattersonRoger Patterson was an American bass player, well known for his work in the Florida death metal band Atheist. His playing style is characterized by its speed and complexity...
– bass (1985–1991) (deceased) - Mike Callahan - guitar (2010)
- Jonathan Thompson - guitar (2009–2011) (bass on Jupiter)
- Frank Emmi – guitar (1993)
- Sonny Carson – guitar (2006-200?)
- Darren McFarland - bass (1991–92) (tour only)
- Mickey Hayes – drums (1993)
- Josh Greenbaum – drums (1993)
- Kyle SokolKyle SokolKyle Sokol is an American bassist and skateboarder.Kyle Sokol is known for his style of bass playing that mostly consists of fast technical bass lines and has played in bands such as Kyle Sokol is an American [[bassist]] and [[skateboarder]]....
– bass (2001) - Tony ChoyTony ChoyTony Choy is an American electric bassist. He was a session musician for some well-known technical death metal bands such as Atheist, Cynic and the Dutch band Pestilence...
– bass (1991, 1993–1994, 2006–2010)
Studio albums
- Piece of TimePiece of Time-2002 Re-release:In 2002, EMG Entertainment re-released Piece of Time. Originally, EMG Entertainment was supposed to reissue all three Atheist albums, but Kelly Shaefer aborted those plans after only Piece of Time had been reissued...
(1989) - Unquestionable PresenceUnquestionable PresenceUnquestionable Presence is the second album by the death metal band Atheist. It was released in 1991 and added a new sound by using jazz-like harmonies, subtle latin rhythms and unusual time signatures.-Album information:...
(1991) - Elements (1993)
- JupiterJupiter (Atheist album)Jupiter is the name of the fourth studio album by the American technical death metal band Atheist. It is their first studio album in 17 years since the release of Elements in 1993.-Overview:...
(2010)
Demos
As R.A.V.A.G.E.- Rotting in Hell (1985)
- On They Slay (1987)
- Hell Hath No Mercy (1987)
As Atheist
- Beyond (1988)