Atrophy (band)
Encyclopedia
Atrophy was a thrash metal
band formed in Tucson, Arizona
, USA by Chris Lykins, James Gulotta, and Brian Zimmerman. The original bandname was Heresy, but by the time the band was rounded out to its professional line-up – with Tim Kelly and Rick Skowron joining the fold – the name was changed.
In 1987, the band produced two cassette demos and were subsequently picked up by major thrash metal
specialist label, Roadrunner Records
. They recorded two albums – Socialized Hate
in 1988, and Violent By Nature
in 1990 – and toured the USA and Europe with fellow Arizonans Sacred Reich
and Swiss
band, Coroner
.
Following the European tour, Chris Lykins left the band to go to medical school. The band attempted to carry on with new members and even got so far as making a pre-production tape for a third album, but Roadrunner Records
lost confidence in the band – Chris Lykins was one of the main songwriters – and they were dropped by the label as a consequence.
Tim Kelly and James Gulotta went on to form a band called Head Circus, which Rick Skowron is also a member of intermittently, but they have yet to record a studio album.
Chris Lykins completed medical school and is now an ENT
, James Gulotta runs a tile business, and Rick Skowron is an avionics engineer and avid motorcycle racer.
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band formed in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, USA by Chris Lykins, James Gulotta, and Brian Zimmerman. The original bandname was Heresy, but by the time the band was rounded out to its professional line-up – with Tim Kelly and Rick Skowron joining the fold – the name was changed.
In 1987, the band produced two cassette demos and were subsequently picked up by major thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
specialist label, Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
. They recorded two albums – Socialized Hate
Socialized Hate
Socialized Hate was the debut album from Arizona thrash metal band, Atrophy. It was released on Roadrunner Records in 1988 and follows two successful demo cassettes produced by the band the previous year. It was followed up in 1990 by the band's final album, Violent By Nature in 1990...
in 1988, and Violent By Nature
Violent by Nature
Violent by Nature was the second and final album from Arizona thrash metal band, Atrophy. It was released on Roadrunner Records – like its predecessor, Socialized Hate – in 1990. Again, the album was co-produced by prolific producer/engineer, Bill Metoyer. The band made the journey from...
in 1990 – and toured the USA and Europe with fellow Arizonans Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona-based thrash metal band that formed in 1985. Singer/songwriter Phil Rind's interest was in socially conscious and political speed metal. After several records on Metal Blade Records, they signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal...
and Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
band, Coroner
Coroner (band)
Coroner is a Swiss thrash metal/progressive metal band from Zurich. They garnered relatively little attention outside of Europe. Formed in 1983, the band broke up in 1996, but decided to reform 14 years later. The band will perform at multiple live venues and festivals around the world in 2011,...
.
Following the European tour, Chris Lykins left the band to go to medical school. The band attempted to carry on with new members and even got so far as making a pre-production tape for a third album, but Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
lost confidence in the band – Chris Lykins was one of the main songwriters – and they were dropped by the label as a consequence.
Tim Kelly and James Gulotta went on to form a band called Head Circus, which Rick Skowron is also a member of intermittently, but they have yet to record a studio album.
Chris Lykins completed medical school and is now an ENT
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
, James Gulotta runs a tile business, and Rick Skowron is an avionics engineer and avid motorcycle racer.
Past members
- Brian Zimmerman – vocals
- Chris Lykins – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Rick Skowron – guitar
- James Gulotta – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Tim Kelly – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Compilations
- Demolition - Scream Your Brains Out! (1988) - Metal ForcesMetal ForcesThe British publication Metal Forces emerged during 1983 and aided greatly in the promotion of metal and rock genre music. The magazine was well known for its coverage of unsigned bands through its Demolition feature and championed the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, HellsBelles, Overkill,...
compilation with the songs "Chemical Dependency" and "Preacher, Preacher"
External links
- Atrophy at Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner RecordsRoadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...