Roger Patterson
Encyclopedia
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. Alex Webster
, bassist with Cannibal Corpse
, has acknowledged Patterson as "a big influence", describing his playing on the album Piece of Time
as "phenomenal".
Patterson joined Atheist (then known as R.A.V.A.G.E.) in 1985. The band recorded their first full-length album, Piece of Time
, in 1988, which was released in 1989 in Europe
, but not in the United States
until 1990. As a result, Atheist began preparing for their next album, to which Roger contributed greatly. Before recording, however, the band was in a car crash and Roger was killed, on February 12, 1991.
Atheist would record and release their next album, Unquestionable Presence
, later that year and dedicate it to Roger's memory. The 2005 re-issue version features several previously unheard demo recordings of Patterson performing UP material.
In 1991, the famous grindcore
band Napalm Death
released Mass Appeal Madness
in Roger's memory, as did Suffocation
with their album Effigy of the Forgotten
, and members of Death paid homage to him on their album Human (see liner notes).
On the Mountain Goats
' and Kaki King
's 2008 Black Pear Tree EP, there's a song called "Roger Patterson Van."
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...
death metal
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 Atheist
Atheist (band)
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.- History :...
. His playing style is characterized by its speed and complexity. Alex Webster
Alex Webster
Alex Webster is an American bass player, who is best known as a member of the American death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He is one of two current members who were of the original lineup of Cannibal Corpse, the other being drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz...
, bassist with Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
, has acknowledged Patterson as "a big influence", describing his playing on the 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...
as "phenomenal".
Patterson joined Atheist (then known as R.A.V.A.G.E.) in 1985. The band recorded their first full-length 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 1989 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...
, 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. As a result, Atheist began preparing for their next album, to which Roger contributed greatly. Before recording, however, the band was in a car crash and Roger was killed, on February 12, 1991.
Atheist would record and release their next 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:...
, later that year and dedicate it to Roger's memory. The 2005 re-issue version features several previously unheard demo recordings of Patterson performing UP material.
In 1991, the famous grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
band Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
released Mass Appeal Madness
Mass Appeal Madness
Mass Appeal Madness is an EP by Napalm Death. It was released in 1991 on Earache Records and is dedicated to the memory of Roger Patterson, a member of the death metal band Atheist who died in the same year.-Track listing:...
in Roger's memory, as did Suffocation
Suffocation (band)
Suffocation is an American death metal band that was formed in 1989 in Long Island, New York. The band comprises vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais, drummer Mike Smith and bassist Derek Boyer. Suffocation rose to prominence of death metal and created a blueprint for...
with their album Effigy of the Forgotten
Effigy of the Forgotten
-Personnel:Suffocation*Frank Mullen: All Vocals*Doug Cerrito: Lead & Rhythm Guitars*Terrance Hobbs: Lead & Rhythm Guitars*Josh Barohn: Bass*Mike Smith: DrumsProduction*Produced, Engineered & Mixed By Scott Burns*Mastered By Eddy SchreyerGuest Musicians...
, and members of Death paid homage to him on their album Human (see liner notes).
On the Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
' and Kaki King
Kaki King
Kaki King is an American guitarist and composer. King is known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies, energetic live shows, use of multiple tunings on acoustic and lap steel guitar, and her diverse range in different genres.In February 2006, Rolling Stone released a list of "The New Guitar...
's 2008 Black Pear Tree EP, there's a song called "Roger Patterson Van."