Immolation

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Immolation is a death metal band from Yonkers, New York.

History

They were formed in May 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz (Bass, Vocals) and Dave Wilkinson (Drums) as Rigor Mortis (NY). The name was changed to Immolation in April 1988, after the "Warriors of Doom" demo which was done as Rigor Mortis and "Demo I" which was done as Immolation. The band got a deal with Roadrunner Records and released their debut album Dawn of Possession through them. They were dropped by the label when the label dropped nearly all of their death metal bands. Later, they were picked up by Metal Blade Records and released the three succeeding albums through them. After the second one Here in After, drummer Craig Smilowski left the band and was replaced by Alex Hernandez. The most recent two albums were released by Listenable Records, the same label which released an album by Hernandez's previous band Fallen Christ years before. Unholy Cult saw the departure of guitarist Thomas Wilkinson and the installation of ex-Angelcorpse guitarist Bill Taylor. Steve Shalaty replaced Hernandez on Harnessing Ruin.

Musical style

Immolation relies on riffs written in dissonant harmonic patterns, often dueling between the two guitars, to progress songs, typically over a complex rhythm and complex drum patterns. Drum parts are often written to follow the guitar riffs in a way that is unusual for most death metal. They and fellow New York death metal band, Suffocation, helped bring the New York death metal scene to the attention of the underground.

Robert Vigna (born June 1970) has been the band's only constant guitarist and is also the only constant member throughout the band's history along with vocalist/bassist Ross Dolan. Vigna is usually addressed by his nickname "Bob". He is considered to be one of the most talented death metal guitarists^[1] and is well known for his complex riffing and wailing solos.

Their lyrics are almost entirely anti-religion, especially Christianity. On the band's 2005 album, Harnessing Ruin, there are more lyrics touching on other subjects such as politics. This lyrical direction is further explored on the band's current 2007 album, Shadows in the Light and the EP Hope and Horror, which preceded the album.

Immolation continues to tour at a steady pace in North America, as well as in mainland Europe.

Discography

• Dawn of Possession (1991)
• Stepping on Angels... Before Dawn (1995)
• Here in After (1996)
• Failures for Gods (1999)
• Close to a World Below (2000)
• Unholy Cult (2002)
• Bringing Down the World (DVD, 2004)
• Harnessing Ruin (2005)
• Hope and Horror (EP + DVD, 2007)
• Shadows in the Light (2007)

Line-up

• Ross Dolan - Bass, Vocals
• Bill Taylor - Guitar (ex-Angelcorpse)
• Robert Vigna - Guitar
• Steve Shalaty - Drums (Odious Sanction, ex-Gutted)

Former members

Guitars

• John McEntee - Guitar (Incantation, Funerus, ex-Mortician, live-only member. Performed live shows between Thomas leaving the band and Bill joining)
• Thomas Wilkinson - Guitar

Drums

• Neal Boback - Drums
• Craig Smilowski - Drums (RELLIK, ex-Goreaphobia)
• Alex Hernandez - Drums (ex-Fallen Christ)

References

External links

• Everlasting Fire--The official Immolation site