Paramaecium
Encyclopedia
Paramaecium was an Australia
n death/doom
metal band formed in 1991. There is use of instrumentation like flutes, cellos and violins on some albums. Paramaecium is one of the few doom metal bands that focus on Christian lyrical themes and Christian concepts
. According to Doom-metal.com, "what sets Paramaecium apart from other bands in the doom metal scene, is the fact that they are the only Christian death/doom band that made it to the top of the genre."
, early My Dying Bride
and Anathema
. The band incorporated flute and violin sounds as well as a soprano alongside the usual musical offerings of death and doom metal.
Paramaecium added rhythm guitarist Chris Burton in 1995 and released their second album, Within the Ancient Forest
, which was accompanied by a fantasy novel of the same name written by Tompkins. The album was more diverse and technical, and involved female vocalists, harpsichord, piano, flute and cello.
The third album, A Time to Mourn
, was released in 1999 and marked the departure of all previous band members except Tompkins. The band no longer had a touring lineup, so guest musicians were used, including guitarist Ian Arkley (formerly of Seventh Angel, Ashen Mortality and My Silent Wake). After a five year break, Paramaecium returned in 2004 with Echoes from the Ground. The album again featured Tompkins as the only original member, but held firmly to the band's doom and death metal roots while again incorporating soprano and violins.
In 2005 Tompkins started working again with guitarist De Ron on songs for a new album. Early in 2006, drummer Sherlock rejoined the band and they played a series of concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, and NordicFest in Oslo, Norway. The NordicFest appearance in November 2006 marked the official end of Paramaecium, but it was also the official launch of the band under its new name, InExordium.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n death/doom
Death/doom
Death/doom, sometimes writes as death-doom or deathdoom, is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It combines the slow tempos and pessimistic or depressive mood of doom metal with the deep growling vocals and double kick drumming of death metal...
metal band formed in 1991. There is use of instrumentation like flutes, cellos and violins on some albums. Paramaecium is one of the few doom metal bands that focus on Christian lyrical themes and Christian concepts
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
. According to Doom-metal.com, "what sets Paramaecium apart from other bands in the doom metal scene, is the fact that they are the only Christian death/doom band that made it to the top of the genre."
Biography
In 1993 Paramaecium released their debut album, Exhumed of the Earth which has become a landmark in the death/doom genre. The band consisted of Andrew Tompkins on vocals and bass, Jason De Ron on guitar, and Jayson Sherlock on drums. The music was inspired by CathedralCathedral (band)
Cathedral are a doom metal band from Coventry, England. The group forged a link between early doom metal and a 1990s extreme metal aesthetic, making doom slower and heavier. Their debut album, Forest of Equilibrium, is considered a classic of the genre. They later on changed their doom style,...
, early My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in 1990. To date, My Dying Bride have released eleven full-length studio albums, three EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. The band released their tenth studio album, For Lies I Sire,...
and Anathema
Anathema (band)
Anathema are an English band from Liverpool primarily known for their ever evolving sound. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom metal sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock, progressive rock, art rock, new prog, and post-rock.-History:Anathema...
. The band incorporated flute and violin sounds as well as a soprano alongside the usual musical offerings of death and doom metal.
Paramaecium added rhythm guitarist Chris Burton in 1995 and released their second album, Within the Ancient Forest
Within the Ancient Forest
Within the Ancient Forest is the second album by Paramaecium. It was released in 1996. Within the Ancient Forest is also a novel written by Paramaecium's lead singer, Andrew Tompkins...
, which was accompanied by a fantasy novel of the same name written by Tompkins. The album was more diverse and technical, and involved female vocalists, harpsichord, piano, flute and cello.
The third album, A Time to Mourn
A Time to Mourn
A Time to Mourn is the third album by Paramaecium. It was released in 1999.According to Andrew Tompkins the album art is of a Los Angeles model, the band actually does not know who the woman is.- Album Meaning :...
, was released in 1999 and marked the departure of all previous band members except Tompkins. The band no longer had a touring lineup, so guest musicians were used, including guitarist Ian Arkley (formerly of Seventh Angel, Ashen Mortality and My Silent Wake). After a five year break, Paramaecium returned in 2004 with Echoes from the Ground. The album again featured Tompkins as the only original member, but held firmly to the band's doom and death metal roots while again incorporating soprano and violins.
In 2005 Tompkins started working again with guitarist De Ron on songs for a new album. Early in 2006, drummer Sherlock rejoined the band and they played a series of concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, and NordicFest in Oslo, Norway. The NordicFest appearance in November 2006 marked the official end of Paramaecium, but it was also the official launch of the band under its new name, InExordium.
Album Concepts
All of Paramaecium's albums have a concept that generally revolves around Christianity and Christian life. Exhumed of the Earth was based about the life of Jesus Christ, the Within the Ancient Forest is based on how Andrew Tompkins became a Christian, and A Time to Mourn is about a life in Christ; addressing the sorts of issues one might face as a modern Christian. The Echoes from the Ground is about a young man's journey through the Holy Lands to find a justification for his faith.Last Known Line-Up
- Andrew TompkinsAndrew TompkinsAndrew Tompkins is the lead vocalist and bassist for the Australian doom metal band Paramaecium, which was considered to be the biggest Christian doom metal band.Andrew has a daughter named Enara....
- Bass, Vocals (1991–2006) - Jason De RonJason De RonJason De Ron is a musician from Melbourne, Australia, most notable for being the former guitarist for the death/doom band Paramaecium and co founder and guitarist of the avant garde/progressive metal band Altera Enigma.-Biography:...
- Guitar (1992–1995, 2006) - Jayson SherlockJayson SherlockJayson Sherlock was the drummer for the Australian death metal band Mortification, which was considered to be a major pioneer in the genre.Sherlock was the founder of the one-man project Unblack metal band Horde, in which he played every instrument...
- Drums (1993–1996, 2006) - Sheldon D'Costa -Guitar (2009–Present)
Past members
- Steve Palmer - Drums (1991–1992)
- Colin Mynard - Guitar (1991)
- Chris Burton - Guitar (1995–1996)
- Ian ArkleyIan ArkleyIan Arkley is a guitarist in the death/doom/gothic metal genre, his current band is the UK gothic doom metal outfit My Silent Wake.Arkley first gained attention as a member of seminal Christian thrash metal band Seventh Angel...
- Guitar (1998–1999) - Mark Orr - Drums (1998–2004)
- Mark Kelson - Guitar (1997–1998)
Discography
- Exhumed of the EarthExhumed of the EarthExhumed of the Earth is the debut album by Paramaecium. It was released in 1993. Exhumed of the Earth is considered to be one of the landmarks of both doom metal and Christian metal movements.-Recording history:...
(19931993 in musicThis is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
) - Within the Ancient ForestWithin the Ancient ForestWithin the Ancient Forest is the second album by Paramaecium. It was released in 1996. Within the Ancient Forest is also a novel written by Paramaecium's lead singer, Andrew Tompkins...
(19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) - Repentance (19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) - A Time to MournA Time to MournA Time to Mourn is the third album by Paramaecium. It was released in 1999.According to Andrew Tompkins the album art is of a Los Angeles model, the band actually does not know who the woman is.- Album Meaning :...
(19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
) - Echoes from the Ground (20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
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