Post by The Moderator on Jul 19, 2006 16:07:06 GMT
URBAN DESOLATION COLLECTIVE
The Urban Desolation Collective (UDC) is a loose confederation of bands based in the Teesside area, and tightly bound to it psychologically, and representing an insular, isolated pocket of resistance to mediocrity within the local scene. The name derives from the location and does not indicate a unifying “urban decay” aesthetic, though many of the bands involved do use such aesthetics. UDC bands share the unifying characteristic of trying to make their music as visual as possible in an assault on mundane musical styles.
The grouping was established by The Axis of Perdition in 2003, who variously invited/prodded/bribed the remaining bands into participation through either the involvement of TAOP members and/or aid from TAOP in the field of production/artwork/equipment.
A LIST UDC BANDS
THE AXIS OF PERDITION
Status:
Active
Description:
As the best-known UDC band, TAOP is well-documented elsewhere, and it’s assumed that if you’re reading this you already know the basics of the band’s cinematic ambient/metal anyhow. The band are currently writing their third album, pencilled in for release in early 2007.
Last Known Lineup:
Brooke Johnson – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar & Ambience
Michael Blenkarn – Lead Guitar, Keyboards & Ambience
Ian Fenwick – Bass
Dan Mullins – Drums & Percussion
PULSEFEAR
Status:
Active
Description:
Pulsefear is the experimental dark ambient/noise precursor to The Axis of Perdition, influenced heavily by Maeror Tri/Troum, as well as Akira Yamaoka, Megaptera, and Raison D’Etre among others. Forming through spontaneous improvisation in 2001, Pulsefear developed the conceptual and aesthetic prototype that gave rise to TAOP. Pulsefear recordings established the same conceptual “world” as the post-“Ichneumon Method” Axis releases, and are still set therein. So far, only excerpts from 2001’s unnamed two hour recording have been released.
Last Known Lineup:
Michael Blenkarn – Instruments
Brooke Johnson – Instruments
Discography:
“Notes From The Lighthouse”Split with The Axis Of Perdition 2002
Website:
TBA
MINE[THORN]
Status:
Active
Description:
Not to be confused with the pre-TAOP band of the same (albeit unpunctuated) name, Mine[thorn] play self-described “biomechanical disturbance metal”, drawing influence from diverse sources such as Godflesh, SYL/DTB, Red Harvest, Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Cannibal Corpse, Void of Silence, and more. Despite popular misconception, they are in no shape or form involved in or related to black metal, industrial or otherwise They are currently preparing their delayed debut album “Junk Hive Noir” for Code666 Records.
Last Known Lineup:
Ian Fenwick - Bass, Vocals and Insults
James Dickinson - Guitars
Dan Mullins - Drums and percussion
Jamie Blacker - Synthetics
Brooke Johnson - Guitars, Sampling and Vocals
Discography:
“Junk Hive Noir” demo 2003
“Oracle” demo 2004
“Density” demo 2004
PHALEG
Status:
Active
Description:
Dirty black-thrash influenced by Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Destruction, Bathory, Kreator, Sepultura (up to and including “Morbid Visions”) Darkthrone, Aura Noir and Carpathian Forest. The band formed in 2003 as a vehicle for Mike (TAOP) to write straightforwardly venomous, grimy metal saturated with ‘80s BM influences, in which he was supported by fellow Stirling students and joint vocalists Gregory “Thor Mentor” Whalen and Vasilis Asimakopoulos. An album is currently in the works.
Last Known Lineup:
Gregory Whalen – Vocals & Sickness
Vasilis Asimakopoulos – Vocals & Meh
Michael Blenkarn - Instruments
Discography:
“Blood Wire Rust” demo 2003
“The Cleansing” demo 2004
Website:
TBA
SARDAUKAR
Status:
Split up as of 2004
Description:
A dirty black-thrash collaboration between Mike of TAOP and Akkoth of Unto Thee/Warbastard. The project has since been amalgamated into Phaleg (see elsewhere).
Last Known Lineup:
Akkoth – Vocals
Mike - Instruments
Discography:
”Blood Wire Rust” (Unfinished album) 2003
“Symbols of Hate Unbound” demo 2003
Website:
None
GENERAL CONTACT UNIT
Status:
Active
Description:
Industrial break beat, Inspired by various Sci-Fi movies and literature
Last Known Lineup:
Brooke Johnson - instruments
Discography:
Nothing released Thus far
Website:
www.myspace.com/generalcontactunit
THE KULT OF EIHORT
Status:
Split-up
Description:
A nightmarish, psychedelic, semi-improvised combination of black metal, dark ambient/noise and drone. Not so much a band as an unplanned, spontaneous collaboration between the enigmatic individuals involved, so far The Kult Of Eihort has proved to be a one-off. The absence of a long-term artistic agenda or cohesion between members makes further work unlikely at present.
Last Known Lineup:
Ein – Vocals & Guitars
Alasthor – Keyboards & Drums
Ex-Members:
Kommando – Bass (ejected for personal reasons)
Discography:
“Rust Goes On Forever” Demo 2003 (fully downloadable from link)
Website:
www.myspace.com/haloofthesunuk
UNDYING
Status:
Active
Description:
The solo project of Hiraedd, aka Alasthor (ex-The Kult of Eihort keyboardist). Traditional, melancholic black metal in the cold, austere vein inspired by English supernatural folklore and literature, superstition, and philosophy. Ex-Sardaukar vocalist Akkoth is lined up to participate in future recordings.
Last Known Lineup:
Hiraedd – Vocals & Instruments
Discography:
“A Haunt Within The Mist” 2006
(Label to be announced shortly)
Website:
www.myspace.com/undyinguk
DARK BETWEEN THE STARS
Status:
Unknown
Description:
Eccentric cinematic-orchestral Metal influenced by the likes of Bal Sagoth, Limbonic Art, Sirius, Elend, miscellaneous soundtrack composers and martial industrial acts like The Protagonist. Their whereabouts and status are currently unknown.
Last Known Lineup:
Genocide Technician – Guitar & Keyboards
Engine Seer – Vocals
Machine Prophet – Programming & Production
Discography:
“The Coming Of The Starslayer” Demo 2001
Website:
None
HESPER PAYNE
Status:
Active
Description:
“Sludgy Lovecraftian doom expunged from the bowels of Teesside: Leviathan Cthulhoid grooves rise monolithically from a plateau of foreboding apocalyptic dirge, a slow moving yet horribly inexorable onslaught of cosmic horror. The stars are right for you to be crushed.”
(From Ammonite Industries)
Last Known Lineup:
Brooke Johnson – Vocals, Guitars & Keyboards
Ian Fenwick - Bass
Discography:
“Dreaming The Doom Of Man” Split with Halo Of The Sun 2006
(Ammonite Industries)
Website:
www.myspace.com/hesperpayne
VORTEX SYNDROME
Status:
Active
Description:
”Technical death metal navigating through a boundless ambient space, Vortex Syndrome welds the progressive bent of later Emperor and the sensory assault of Myrkskog to an atmospheric electronic swathe, overflowing with alienation and off-world paranoia straight from Iain M. Banks, at once alluring, threatening and awe-inspiring.”
(From Ammonite Industries)
Last Known Lineup:
Yperite – Vocals
Kachihara - Instruments
Discography:
“
” Demo 2003
“Fear Is The Future” Split with Xenolith 2006
(Ammonite Industries)
Website:
www.myspace.com/vortexsyndrome
HALO OF THE SUN
Status:
Active
Description:
”The new endeavour of Ein (The Kult Of Eihort). A vast, unnerving sprawl of dark ambient disquiet with sinister undercurrents of contorted metal texture. Ominous drums and sombre drones echo mournfully through the most desolate of nightmares. Prepare to be touched by the ghosts of the void…”
(From Ammonite Industries)
Last Known Lineup:
Ein – Everything & Nothing
Discography:
“Dreaming The Doom Of Man” Split with Hesper Payne 2006
(Ammonite Industries)
Website:
www.myspace.com/haloofthesunuk
The Urban Desolation Collective (UDC) is a loose confederation of bands based in the Teesside area, and tightly bound to it psychologically, and representing an insular, isolated pocket of resistance to mediocrity within the local scene. The name derives from the location and does not indicate a unifying “urban decay” aesthetic, though many of the bands involved do use such aesthetics. UDC bands share the unifying characteristic of trying to make their music as visual as possible in an assault on mundane musical styles.
The grouping was established by The Axis of Perdition in 2003, who variously invited/prodded/bribed the remaining bands into participation through either the involvement of TAOP members and/or aid from TAOP in the field of production/artwork/equipment.
A LIST UDC BANDS
THE AXIS OF PERDITION
Status:
Active
Description:
As the best-known UDC band, TAOP is well-documented elsewhere, and it’s assumed that if you’re reading this you already know the basics of the band’s cinematic ambient/metal anyhow. The band are currently writing their third album, pencilled in for release in early 2007.
Last Known Lineup:
Brooke Johnson – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar & Ambience
Michael Blenkarn – Lead Guitar, Keyboards & Ambience
Ian Fenwick – Bass
Dan Mullins – Drums & Percussion
PULSEFEAR
Status:
Active
Description:
Pulsefear is the experimental dark ambient/noise precursor to The Axis of Perdition, influenced heavily by Maeror Tri/Troum, as well as Akira Yamaoka, Megaptera, and Raison D’Etre among others. Forming through spontaneous improvisation in 2001, Pulsefear developed the conceptual and aesthetic prototype that gave rise to TAOP. Pulsefear recordings established the same conceptual “world” as the post-“Ichneumon Method” Axis releases, and are still set therein. So far, only excerpts from 2001’s unnamed two hour recording have been released.
Last Known Lineup:
Michael Blenkarn – Instruments
Brooke Johnson – Instruments
Discography:
“Notes From The Lighthouse”Split with The Axis Of Perdition 2002
Website:
TBA
MINE[THORN]
Status:
Active
Description:
Not to be confused with the pre-TAOP band of the same (albeit unpunctuated) name, Mine[thorn] play self-described “biomechanical disturbance metal”, drawing influence from diverse sources such as Godflesh, SYL/DTB, Red Harvest, Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Cannibal Corpse, Void of Silence, and more. Despite popular misconception, they are in no shape or form involved in or related to black metal, industrial or otherwise They are currently preparing their delayed debut album “Junk Hive Noir” for Code666 Records.
Last Known Lineup:
Ian Fenwick - Bass, Vocals and Insults
James Dickinson - Guitars
Dan Mullins - Drums and percussion
Jamie Blacker - Synthetics
Brooke Johnson - Guitars, Sampling and Vocals
Discography:
“Junk Hive Noir” demo 2003
“Oracle” demo 2004
“Density” demo 2004
PHALEG
Status:
Active
Description:
Dirty black-thrash influenced by Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Destruction, Bathory, Kreator, Sepultura (up to and including “Morbid Visions”) Darkthrone, Aura Noir and Carpathian Forest. The band formed in 2003 as a vehicle for Mike (TAOP) to write straightforwardly venomous, grimy metal saturated with ‘80s BM influences, in which he was supported by fellow Stirling students and joint vocalists Gregory “Thor Mentor” Whalen and Vasilis Asimakopoulos. An album is currently in the works.
Last Known Lineup:
Gregory Whalen – Vocals & Sickness
Vasilis Asimakopoulos – Vocals & Meh
Michael Blenkarn - Instruments
Discography:
“Blood Wire Rust” demo 2003
“The Cleansing” demo 2004
Website:
TBA
SARDAUKAR
Status:
Split up as of 2004
Description:
A dirty black-thrash collaboration between Mike of TAOP and Akkoth of Unto Thee/Warbastard. The project has since been amalgamated into Phaleg (see elsewhere).
Last Known Lineup:
Akkoth – Vocals
Mike - Instruments
Discography:
”Blood Wire Rust” (Unfinished album) 2003
“Symbols of Hate Unbound” demo 2003
Website:
None
GENERAL CONTACT UNIT
Status:
Active
Description:
Industrial break beat, Inspired by various Sci-Fi movies and literature
Last Known Lineup:
Brooke Johnson - instruments
Discography:
Nothing released Thus far
Website:
www.myspace.com/generalcontactunit
THE KULT OF EIHORT
Status:
Split-up
Description:
A nightmarish, psychedelic, semi-improvised combination of black metal, dark ambient/noise and drone. Not so much a band as an unplanned, spontaneous collaboration between the enigmatic individuals involved, so far The Kult Of Eihort has proved to be a one-off. The absence of a long-term artistic agenda or cohesion between members makes further work unlikely at present.
Last Known Lineup:
Ein – Vocals & Guitars
Alasthor – Keyboards & Drums
Ex-Members:
Kommando – Bass (ejected for personal reasons)
Discography:
“Rust Goes On Forever” Demo 2003 (fully downloadable from link)
Website:
www.myspace.com/haloofthesunuk
UNDYING
Status:
Active
Description:
The solo project of Hiraedd, aka Alasthor (ex-The Kult of Eihort keyboardist). Traditional, melancholic black metal in the cold, austere vein inspired by English supernatural folklore and literature, superstition, and philosophy. Ex-Sardaukar vocalist Akkoth is lined up to participate in future recordings.
Last Known Lineup:
Hiraedd – Vocals & Instruments
Discography:
“A Haunt Within The Mist” 2006
(Label to be announced shortly)
Website:
www.myspace.com/undyinguk
DARK BETWEEN THE STARS
Status:
Unknown
Description:
Eccentric cinematic-orchestral Metal influenced by the likes of Bal Sagoth, Limbonic Art, Sirius, Elend, miscellaneous soundtrack composers and martial industrial acts like The Protagonist. Their whereabouts and status are currently unknown.
Last Known Lineup:
Genocide Technician – Guitar & Keyboards
Engine Seer – Vocals
Machine Prophet – Programming & Production
Discography:
“The Coming Of The Starslayer” Demo 2001
Website:
None
HESPER PAYNE
Status:
Active
Description:
“Sludgy Lovecraftian doom expunged from the bowels of Teesside: Leviathan Cthulhoid grooves rise monolithically from a plateau of foreboding apocalyptic dirge, a slow moving yet horribly inexorable onslaught of cosmic horror. The stars are right for you to be crushed.”
(From Ammonite Industries)
Last Known Lineup:
Brooke Johnson – Vocals, Guitars & Keyboards
Ian Fenwick - Bass
Discography:
“Dreaming The Doom Of Man” Split with Halo Of The Sun 2006
(Ammonite Industries)
Website:
www.myspace.com/hesperpayne
VORTEX SYNDROME
Status:
Active
Description:
”Technical death metal navigating through a boundless ambient space, Vortex Syndrome welds the progressive bent of later Emperor and the sensory assault of Myrkskog to an atmospheric electronic swathe, overflowing with alienation and off-world paranoia straight from Iain M. Banks, at once alluring, threatening and awe-inspiring.”
(From Ammonite Industries)
Last Known Lineup:
Yperite – Vocals
Kachihara - Instruments
Discography:
“
” Demo 2003“Fear Is The Future” Split with Xenolith 2006
(Ammonite Industries)
Website:
www.myspace.com/vortexsyndrome
HALO OF THE SUN
Status:
Active
Description:
”The new endeavour of Ein (The Kult Of Eihort). A vast, unnerving sprawl of dark ambient disquiet with sinister undercurrents of contorted metal texture. Ominous drums and sombre drones echo mournfully through the most desolate of nightmares. Prepare to be touched by the ghosts of the void…”
(From Ammonite Industries)
Last Known Lineup:
Ein – Everything & Nothing
Discography:
“Dreaming The Doom Of Man” Split with Hesper Payne 2006
(Ammonite Industries)
Website:
www.myspace.com/haloofthesunuk