Representative Albums: "Tumuli Shroomaroom," "Hymns to the Stone," "Bong On - Live Long!"
Biography
Formed in Wales in 1991, Acrimony were one of the U.K.'s very best stoner rock bands, following in the desert trails simultaneously carved by American pioneers Kyuss with their powerful blend of Black Sabbath's heavy metal riffery, Hawkwind's space rock excursions, and Blue Cheer's fuzzed-out feedback psychedelics. Comprised of vocalist Dorian Walters, guitarists Stuart O'Hara and Lee Davies, bassist Paul "Mead" Bidmead, and drummer Darren Ivey, Acrimony circulated a few demos before signing with independent Godhead Records for the release of their 1994 debut album, Hymns to the Stone, and their next-year follow-up EP, The Acid Elephant. But they really took it to the next level when they subsequently joined leading doom label Peaceville and proceeded to record their acknowledged stoner rock masterpiece, 1996's Tumuli Shroomaroom. But even though it wowed listeners and critics alike (even earning a perfect five "Ks" from British metal bible Kerrang! magazine), the album's sales were sluggish, and the members of Acrimony soon lost heart, becoming increasingly dismayed by what they perceived as a lack of promotional support from their label, and decided to disband by the end of 1997. Rumors have occasionally suggested an Acrimony reunion, but it has yet to materialize. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Acrimony were a Welshstoner metal band who were active during the 1990s. Releasing their debut album in 1994, they are regarded as the pioneers of stoner metal in the United Kingdom, and an important influence upon the scene.[1][2] Although the band never achieved mainstream success, during their career they received much critical acclaim – they were nominated for the Kerrang! Best Newcomer award and earned top review ratings.[3][4] Acrimony have maintained a cult following in the British metal scene, their records reportedly selling for vast sums as collectors items.[5]Allmusic described their musical style as "typical mid-'90s stoner rock" that "combined Black Sabbath's heavy metal riffery, Hawkwind's space rock excursions, and Blue Cheer's fuzzed-out psychedelic feedback with extreme doses of volume ... particularly reminiscent of desert metal gods Kyuss."
Since their split in 2001, Stu O'Hara went on to play guitar in Iron Monkey before the outfit disbanded and Stu, fellow guitarist Dean Berry and bassist Doug Dalziel teamed up with Fabric's Chris Turner and Tony Sylvester to form the Dukes Of Nothing. He was also involved in Swansea-based crust/'trampcore' six-piece Black Eye Riot along with Lee and Dorian. Darren and Mead formed The 9ine and Mead has his own trance project Yeti. As of 2008, Stu, Mead, Darren and Dorian have re-grouped and are currently writing tracks, although they're reported to be "different" to Acrimony. They are currently nameless.
^BBC Wales. "BBC Wales – Acrimony". BBC Wales. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/acrimony/. Retrieved 2007-12-10. "Their second album Tumuli Shroomaroom was critically-acclaimed, scooping the top mark five-Ks review in Kerrang! magazine. They were nominated for the Kerrang! Best Newcomer award in 1996."
