Freak Seed
Encyclopedia
Freak Seed is an American
heavy metal
band, formed in 1995 in Parsippany, New Jersey
. Freak Seed's sound consisted of "in your face" guitars with a heavy groove, and was considered "good, old-fashioned heavy metal". The band was active between the years 1995-1999, releasing 2 studio albums, 2 EPs, a live DVD, and was featured on several compilations.
. Jason Tremper, who had previously played with Dave and Keith in Epitaph, and had recently graduated from New York's Institute of Audio Research was present to add some production assistance. With the heavy, danceable groove of "Reactivate", the "cringing" harmonies of "Drill", the speed and ferocity of "Madness Cycle", and the slow Sabbath
-like march of "Skull Machine", Jason's interest quickly went from producing to performing as he laid down a couple of leads and played bass on "Reactivate". 1000 copies of the "Grout" ep were pressed by the now defunct Slow Death Records and critical response only strengthened the belief that this should be more than a side project.
"Outer Limits" compilation CD. "Forward the Foundation" was a limited release in 1997, and was their first for Sun Serpent.
The first trip to the studio in 1998 was to record the song "Zero Reflection" for the Psykoziz Records' "Tentacles of Submission" compilation. A video would later be pieced together for this song with footage shot from various live performances taken from the Live DVD.
Their first widely distributed full-length, Ignition
, was released on September 1, 1998 on Sun Serpent. This album showcased 12 songs taken from three separate recording sessions. It received critical praise in several heavy metal magazines, and they were often compared to more well-known metal acts like Overkill
, Death Angel
and Exodus
.
The "Ignition" release show took place at Connections in Clifton, New Jersey
in September 1998. Prior to this engagement, bassist Joe Yutsus announced he was leaving the band, so Steve Witschel was brought in to perform for this show. To date, this is the only time Freak Seed has performed "Killing Me" and "Sick & Wired" live.
As a "farewell thank you" to their fans, the band distributed their "Zero Reflection" ep free-of-charge to everyone on their mailing list. This limited edition release contained the title track, 3 previously un-released studio recordings ("What You Need", "Without All", and a cover of Pink Floyd
's "The Narrow Way, Pt. II
"), and two live tracks ("Madness Cycle" and a cover of Black Sabbath
's "Symptom of the Universe
").
On February 7, 2009 the original line-up of Dave Couillou, Jason Tremper, Keith Pieper and Joe Yutsus played together for the first time in over ten years at Black Bird Studio in Parsippany, NJ in front of a small group of friends and fans. While no new material was played, the session was recorded on digital video for possible future release.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, formed in 1995 in Parsippany, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Freak Seed's sound consisted of "in your face" guitars with a heavy groove, and was considered "good, old-fashioned heavy metal". The band was active between the years 1995-1999, releasing 2 studio albums, 2 EPs, a live DVD, and was featured on several compilations.
1995-1996
In October 1995, Dave Couillou and Keith Pieper began the "Grout" recording sessions at Sweetwood Sound with producer Oktopus from the band DälekDälek
dälek is an American experimental hip hop duo from Newark, New Jersey. The group is composed of MC dälek and the Oktopus...
. Jason Tremper, who had previously played with Dave and Keith in Epitaph, and had recently graduated from New York's Institute of Audio Research was present to add some production assistance. With the heavy, danceable groove of "Reactivate", the "cringing" harmonies of "Drill", the speed and ferocity of "Madness Cycle", and the slow Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
-like march of "Skull Machine", Jason's interest quickly went from producing to performing as he laid down a couple of leads and played bass on "Reactivate". 1000 copies of the "Grout" ep were pressed by the now defunct Slow Death Records and critical response only strengthened the belief that this should be more than a side project.
1997-1999
With a growing list of material it was then time to go back to Sweetwood Sound Studios to record their first full-length CD called "Forward the Foundation". The CD included seven new tracks and three newly recorded songs from the "Grout" ep. "Quarantine", the opening track was also included on the Eclipse RecordsEclipse Records
Eclipse Records is an American indie rock record label based in Butler, New Jersey. The label is known for bringing the Cleveland band Mushroomhead to national attention. The current president of the label is Chris Poland.-History:...
"Outer Limits" compilation CD. "Forward the Foundation" was a limited release in 1997, and was their first for Sun Serpent.
The first trip to the studio in 1998 was to record the song "Zero Reflection" for the Psykoziz Records' "Tentacles of Submission" compilation. A video would later be pieced together for this song with footage shot from various live performances taken from the Live DVD.
Their first widely distributed full-length, Ignition
Ignition (Freak Seed album)
Ignition is the second full-length studio album by American heavy metal band Freak Seed. It was the very first album released by Sun Serpent Records under the catalogue number SSR001. Six new songs were recorded at Sweetwood Sound Co...
, was released on September 1, 1998 on Sun Serpent. This album showcased 12 songs taken from three separate recording sessions. It received critical praise in several heavy metal magazines, and they were often compared to more well-known metal acts like Overkill
Overkill (band)
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
, Death Angel
Death Angel
Death Angel is a Filipino-American thrash metal band from Concord, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released six studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and two live albums....
and Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
.
The "Ignition" release show took place at Connections in Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 84,136. The 2010 population represented an increase of 5,464 residents from its population of 78,672 in the 2000 Census, making it the state's 11th largest...
in September 1998. Prior to this engagement, bassist Joe Yutsus announced he was leaving the band, so Steve Witschel was brought in to perform for this show. To date, this is the only time Freak Seed has performed "Killing Me" and "Sick & Wired" live.
As a "farewell thank you" to their fans, the band distributed their "Zero Reflection" ep free-of-charge to everyone on their mailing list. This limited edition release contained the title track, 3 previously un-released studio recordings ("What You Need", "Without All", and a cover of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's "The Narrow Way, Pt. II
The Narrow Way
"The Narrow Way" is a section on the studio half of Pink Floyd's fourth album Ummagumma. It was written and performed by David Gilmour and is divided into three parts...
"), and two live tracks ("Madness Cycle" and a cover of Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
's "Symptom of the Universe
Symptom of the Universe (song)
"Symptom of the Universe" is a song by the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, originally from their album Sabotage.The song is divided into two parts, a heavier part and an acoustic portion at the end of the song...
").
2008-present
Founding members Dave Couillou and Jason Tremper have been writing and recording new material as time allows. In October 2008 they debuted a new song "Lucified" exclusively through their MySpace page. This is the first new Freak Seed material since 1998's "Ignition" CD.On February 7, 2009 the original line-up of Dave Couillou, Jason Tremper, Keith Pieper and Joe Yutsus played together for the first time in over ten years at Black Bird Studio in Parsippany, NJ in front of a small group of friends and fans. While no new material was played, the session was recorded on digital video for possible future release.