Sadist (band)
Encyclopedia
Sadist is a progressive death metal band from Genoa
, Italy
, founded in 1991. The band split up in 2000 after releasing their Lego
album, but reunited in 2005 and released their self-titled album
in 2007. Their compositions involve a heavy usage of guitar solo
s and keyboard solo
s, with progressive
, jazz
and some Eastern influences. Although Sadist are a death metal outfit, the album Lego is a nu metal
album with a thrash metal
background.
, keyboards
) and Peso (Necrodeath
- drums
) started auditioning for musicians to complete their lineup. A few weeks after, the auditions, Andy (bass
) and Fabio (vocals
) joined. While playing locally with original content from their demo
, they caught the attention of the indie label Obscure Plasma Records. Their demo was released as Black Screams
EP
in September 1991, and sold 2500 copies worldwide. The EP was later released in 1992 by American
indie label Wild Rag Records in a three-track version. The band toured Italy
and France
until Fabio left the band, which forced Andy to play bass as well as sing.
Shortly afterward, the band plays a show in Lisbon
and were well received by audience and local media. The band then obtains a record deal
with Nosferatu Records for a two-album contract and releases Above the Light
in 1993. Then, Andy leaves the band, and is replaced by bassist Chicco and a new singer, Zanna. In late 1993, the band records a video
for the song "Sometimes They Come Back" from the Above the Light album and tour France and the Netherlands
.
In early 1994, Sadist supports Carcass
during the Italian shows for their "Heartwork" tour; a few months later they support Samael
in France. While on tour, the band works on songs for the new album and in May 1995 enters Rhythm Studios in Bidford on Avon
, England
, where they start recording their second album.
1996 is an important year. Tribe
is released in February, distributed by Sun Rising Records for Europe and Toy's Factory
for Japan
. The band tours to promote the new album in France, Italy, and the Netherlands until June; their second video, "Tribe," is broadcast all over Europe. In November, Sadist headlines Mindview
s Belgian Metal Convention, and later are featured on the Japanese Iron Maiden
tribute with their version of "Wrathchild." But at the end of 1996, drummer Peso leaves to work on an old side-project and is replaced by Oinos, then singer Zanna and bass player Chicco are replaced by singer Trevor and bass player Andy.
In early 1997, the band starts recording sessions for the next album, but before the album was released Oinos leaves the band, to be replaced by Alessio. At the end of 1997, Sadist signs with label Displeased Records
and releases a brutally fast-paced album, Crust
, that same year. The album is also distributed successfully in Japan; it features covers of pop hits from the 80's like "Take on Me" by A-ha
and "Relax
" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
. In 1998, the band released their third music video, "'Fools' and Dolts." Shortly afterwards, the band travels to Germany
to play at the biggest European festival, Wacken Open Air
, as the first Italian metal band to play there.
In 1999, the band signs with Impact/System Shock and produced the new album Lego
by themselves at Nadir Recording and Mastering. The response to the album is not as favorable as to previous albums, and the band's general mood is affected. They decide to take a break from the band for a while. Re-energized, they reunite in 2005 and sign with Italian indie label Beyond Productions. They re-release Above the Light
and Tribe
both remastered at Nadir Recording and Mastering.
In late 2006, the band starts recording sessions for a new album, with guest musicians like Claudio Simonetti and Dado Sezzi. The album was released in April 2007 and their fourth video for "Tearing Away" was made. The band tours the rest of the year, which includes, on September 26 and 28, headlining two Armenian festivals, "Highland Metalfest" and "Rock the Borders." Sadist are currently working on a new album.
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, founded in 1991. The band split up in 2000 after releasing their Lego
Lego (album)
Lego is the fourth full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 2000 by kmg. In this unexpected release, the band loses death vocals altogether, while maintaining hard driving guitars which are still present for a thrash metal background with vocals...
album, but reunited in 2005 and released their self-titled album
Sadist (album)
Sadist is the eponymous fifth full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released on April 17, 2007 by Beyond Productions...
in 2007. Their compositions involve a heavy usage of guitar solo
Guitar solo
In popular music, a guitar solo is a melodic passage, section, or entire piece of music written for an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. Guitar solos, which often contain varying degrees of improvisation, are used in many styles of popular music such as blues, jazz, rock and metal styles such...
s and keyboard solo
Musical keyboard
A musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
s, with progressive
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and some Eastern influences. Although Sadist are a death metal outfit, the album Lego is a nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
album with a 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...
background.
History
Sadist was formed in 1991 when Tommy (guitarElectric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) and Peso (Necrodeath
Necrodeath
Necrodeath is an Italian extreme metal band from Liguria. It is one of the first extreme metal bands originating in Italy. They take inspiration from Slayer, Possessed, Kreator, Celtic Frost and Bathory...
- drums
Drum kit
A 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 ....
) started auditioning for musicians to complete their lineup. A few weeks after, the auditions, Andy (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) and Fabio (vocals
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
) joined. While playing locally with original content from their demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
, they caught the attention of the indie label Obscure Plasma Records. Their demo was released as Black Screams
Black Screams (EP)
Black Screams is the first EP by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1991 by Obscure Plasma. The EP is 46 seconds longer than its demo release...
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in September 1991, and sold 2500 copies worldwide. The EP was later released in 1992 by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie label Wild Rag Records in a three-track version. The band toured Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
until Fabio left the band, which forced Andy to play bass as well as sing.
Shortly afterward, the band plays a show in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
and were well received by audience and local media. The band then obtains a record deal
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Nosferatu Records for a two-album contract and releases Above the Light
Above the Light
Above the Light is the debut studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1993 by Nosferatu Records. The album was re-released in 2006 after their return by Beyond Productions with "Dreaming Deformities" and "Musicians Against Yuppies" as the bonus tracks...
in 1993. Then, Andy leaves the band, and is replaced by bassist Chicco and a new singer, Zanna. In late 1993, the band records a video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song "Sometimes They Come Back" from the Above the Light album and tour France and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
In early 1994, Sadist supports Carcass
Carcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
during the Italian shows for their "Heartwork" tour; a few months later they support Samael
Samael (band)
Samael is a industrial black metal band formed in 1987 in Sion, Switzerland.-Biography:Although much of their music from the mid-1990s onwards has incorporated electronic sounds which would best define their genre as industrial metal, they are an early 2nd Wave black metal band and an innovator for...
in France. While on tour, the band works on songs for the new album and in May 1995 enters Rhythm Studios in Bidford on Avon
Bidford-on-Avon
Bidford-on-Avon is a large village and civil parish in the English county of Warwickshire. In the 2001 census it had a population of 4,830.-Location:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where they start recording their second album.
1996 is an important year. Tribe
Tribe (Sadist album)
Tribe is the second full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1996 by Rising Sun Productions. It features two live Japanese bonus tracks on the original release; "Enslaver of Lies " and "Sometimes They Come Back ". Also, a video was shot for "Tribe" in...
is released in February, distributed by Sun Rising Records for Europe and Toy's Factory
Toy's Factory
is a Japanese record label founded in 1990 as a VAP subsidiary, based in Japan. It has since become an independent company.-Sub-Labels:* bellissima!* Carnage* Deep Blue* Idyllic* Kimi* Meme Tokyo* -Artists:*Aobozu*Armageddon*Bump of Chicken...
for Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The band tours to promote the new album in France, Italy, and the Netherlands until June; their second video, "Tribe," is broadcast all over Europe. In November, Sadist headlines Mindview
MindView
MindView is a computer program, developed and distributed by MatchWare, for easily brainstorming ideas and organizing information using the mind map concept. MindView was first released as OpenMind and marketed as a flexible learning and organizational tool...
s Belgian Metal Convention, and later are featured on the Japanese Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
tribute with their version of "Wrathchild." But at the end of 1996, drummer Peso leaves to work on an old side-project and is replaced by Oinos, then singer Zanna and bass player Chicco are replaced by singer Trevor and bass player Andy.
In early 1997, the band starts recording sessions for the next album, but before the album was released Oinos leaves the band, to be replaced by Alessio. At the end of 1997, Sadist signs with label Displeased Records
Displeased Records
Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...
and releases a brutally fast-paced album, Crust
Crust (album)
Crust is the third full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1997 by Displeased Records. This time we have Trevor on vocals and Oinos on drums. It features two Japanese bonus tracks which are cover songs; "Take on Me" after A-Ha and "Relax" from...
, that same year. The album is also distributed successfully in Japan; it features covers of pop hits from the 80's like "Take on Me" by A-ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
and "Relax
Relax (song)
"Relax" is the debut single by British dance group Frankie Goes to Hollywood, released in the UK by ZTT Records in 1983. The song was later included on the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome ....
" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood were a British dance-pop band popular in the mid-1980s. The group was fronted by Holly Johnson , with Paul Rutherford , Peter Gill , Mark O'Toole , and Brian Nash .The group's debut single "Relax" was banned by the BBC in 1984 while at number six in the charts and...
. In 1998, the band released their third music video, "'Fools' and Dolts." Shortly afterwards, the band travels to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to play at the biggest European festival, Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
, as the first Italian metal band to play there.
In 1999, the band signs with Impact/System Shock and produced the new album Lego
Lego (album)
Lego is the fourth full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 2000 by kmg. In this unexpected release, the band loses death vocals altogether, while maintaining hard driving guitars which are still present for a thrash metal background with vocals...
by themselves at Nadir Recording and Mastering. The response to the album is not as favorable as to previous albums, and the band's general mood is affected. They decide to take a break from the band for a while. Re-energized, they reunite in 2005 and sign with Italian indie label Beyond Productions. They re-release Above the Light
Above the Light
Above the Light is the debut studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1993 by Nosferatu Records. The album was re-released in 2006 after their return by Beyond Productions with "Dreaming Deformities" and "Musicians Against Yuppies" as the bonus tracks...
and Tribe
Tribe (Sadist album)
Tribe is the second full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1996 by Rising Sun Productions. It features two live Japanese bonus tracks on the original release; "Enslaver of Lies " and "Sometimes They Come Back ". Also, a video was shot for "Tribe" in...
both remastered at Nadir Recording and Mastering.
In late 2006, the band starts recording sessions for a new album, with guest musicians like Claudio Simonetti and Dado Sezzi. The album was released in April 2007 and their fourth video for "Tearing Away" was made. The band tours the rest of the year, which includes, on September 26 and 28, headlining two Armenian festivals, "Highland Metalfest" and "Rock the Borders." Sadist are currently working on a new album.
Studio albums
- Above the LightAbove the LightAbove the Light is the debut studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1993 by Nosferatu Records. The album was re-released in 2006 after their return by Beyond Productions with "Dreaming Deformities" and "Musicians Against Yuppies" as the bonus tracks...
(1993) - TribeTribe (Sadist album)Tribe is the second full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1996 by Rising Sun Productions. It features two live Japanese bonus tracks on the original release; "Enslaver of Lies " and "Sometimes They Come Back ". Also, a video was shot for "Tribe" in...
(1996) - CrustCrust (album)Crust is the third full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1997 by Displeased Records. This time we have Trevor on vocals and Oinos on drums. It features two Japanese bonus tracks which are cover songs; "Take on Me" after A-Ha and "Relax" from...
(1997) - LegoLego (album)Lego is the fourth full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 2000 by kmg. In this unexpected release, the band loses death vocals altogether, while maintaining hard driving guitars which are still present for a thrash metal background with vocals...
(2000) - SadistSadist (album)Sadist is the eponymous fifth full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released on April 17, 2007 by Beyond Productions...
(2007) - Season in Silence (2010)
Videography
- "Sometimes They Come Back" – Above the LightAbove the LightAbove the Light is the debut studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1993 by Nosferatu Records. The album was re-released in 2006 after their return by Beyond Productions with "Dreaming Deformities" and "Musicians Against Yuppies" as the bonus tracks...
(1993) - "Tribe" – TribeTribe (Sadist album)Tribe is the second full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1996 by Rising Sun Productions. It features two live Japanese bonus tracks on the original release; "Enslaver of Lies " and "Sometimes They Come Back ". Also, a video was shot for "Tribe" in...
(1996) - "'Fools' and Dolts" – CrustCrust (album)Crust is the third full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1997 by Displeased Records. This time we have Trevor on vocals and Oinos on drums. It features two Japanese bonus tracks which are cover songs; "Take on Me" after A-Ha and "Relax" from...
(1998) - "Tearing Away" – SadistSadist (album)Sadist is the eponymous fifth full-length studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released on April 17, 2007 by Beyond Productions...
(2007) - "One Thousand Memories" – Sadist (2007)
Current members
- Trevor − vocalsDeath growlA death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
- Tommy − guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, keyboardsMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the... - Andy − bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocalsDeath growlA death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
on Above the LightAbove the LightAbove the Light is the debut studio album by the Italian progressive death metal band Sadist, released in 1993 by Nosferatu Records. The album was re-released in 2006 after their return by Beyond Productions with "Dreaming Deformities" and "Musicians Against Yuppies" as the bonus tracks... - Alessio − 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 ....
Former members
- Chicco − bass
- Peso − drums
- Zanna − vocals
- Fabio − vocals
- Oinos − drums