Acheron (band)
Acheron (/ˈækərən, -ɒn/) was an American death/black metal band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that was formed by Vincent Crowley in 1988.[1][2] The band is named after the mythological river Acheron (Ancient Greek: Ἀχέρων – Akhérōn) located in the underground kingdom of Hades in ancient Greek mythology.
Acheron | |
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Origin | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Tampa, Florida, United States |
Genres | Death metal, black metal |
Years active | 1988–2010, 2010–2016, 2017-2019 |
Labels | Turbo, Lethal, Moribund, Full Moon, Black Lotus, Displeased, Listenable Records |
Members | Vincent Crowley Art Taylor Shaun Cothron Brandon Howe |
History
Founded in 1988 by vocalist/bassist/songwriter Vincent Crowley (formerly of Nocturnus, and leader of the satanic youth group "Order of the Evil Eye"),[3] Acheron's musical output is almost exclusively Satanic and anti-Christian in content. Early albums featured interludes by Peter H. Gilmore.[3] Crowley was appointed a priest in the Church of Satan by its founder, Anton Szandor LaVey, and began spending a lot of his time debating local televangelists, limiting Acheron's output for a time.[3] He later disassociated himself from the church to act independently.[4]
In 2003, the band released an album of cover versions, Tribute to the Devil's Music, including songs originally recorded by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Kreator, and Celtic Frost.[4]
On April 26, 2010, Vincent Crowley announced that the band was calling it quits.[5] On December 27, 2010, it was announced that Acheron have reunited.[6]
Members
Current
- Vincent Crowley - Guitars (1988–1991, 1996–1998, 2008), Vocals (1991–present), Bass (1992–present)
- Art Taylor - Guitars (2009–2010, 2012–present)
- Shaun Cothron - Guitars (2011–2012, 2014–present)
- Brandon Howe - Drums (2014–present)
Past
- David Smith Bass (1988–1991)
- James Strauss Drums (1988–1992)
- Peter H. Gilmore Keyboards (1988–1989)
- Michael Smith Vocals (1988–1990)
- Ron Hogue Drums (1989)
- Belial Koblak Guitars (1989–1991)
- Robert Orr Drums (1991)
- Pete Slate Guitars (1991–1992)
- Michael Browning Drums (1992–1994)
- Tony Blakk Guitars (1992–1994)
- Trebor Ladres Guitars (1994–1995)
- Joe Oliver Drums (1995)
- Troy Heffern Bass (1996)
- Richard Christy Drums (1996)
- Michael Estes Guitars (1996–1999, 2001–2004)
- John Scott Keyboards (1996–1999)
- Jonathan Lee Drums (1998–1999)
- Tony Laureano Drums (1998)
- Bryan Hipp Guitars (1998) (R.I.P. 2006)
- Ben Meyer Guitars (1998)
- Adina Blase Keyboards (1998–1999)
- Bill Taylor Guitars (1999)
- Daniel Zink Drums (2001)
- Aaron Werner Keyboards (2001–2005)
- Kyle Severn Drums (2002–2014)
- Rhiannon Wisniewski Vocals (2002)
- Max Otworth Guitars (2006–2012)
- Ash Thomas Guitars (2008–2009)
- Scott Pletcher Drums (2010)
- Eric Stewart Guitars (2010)
- Stacey Connolly Guitar (2004)
Discography
- Messe Noir (Demo, 1989)
- Rites of the Black Mass (1991, re-released in 2006)
- Alla Xul (7", Demo, 1992)
- Rites of the Black Mass (Turbo, 1992)
- Hail Victory (CD, Metal Merchant, 1993)
- Satanic Victory (CD, Turbo, 1994)
- Lex Talionis (CD, Turbo, 1994; reissued as Lex Talionis: Satanic Victory, Blackened, 1997)
- Anti-God, Anti-Christ (CD, Moribund, 1996)
- Those Who Have Risen (CD, Full Moon Productions, 1998)
- Compendium Diablerie: The Demo Days (CD, Full Moon Productions, 2001)
- Xomaly (2002)
- Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood (CD, Black Lotus, 2003)
- Tribute to the Devil's Music (CD, Black Lotus, 2003)
- The Final Conflict: Last Days of God (CD, Displeased Records, 2009)
- Kult Des Hasses (CD, Listenable Records. 2014)
References
- Kristiansen, Jon "Metalion" (1991). "Acheron". Slayer (8): 7.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Acheron". Allmusic. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo "Acheron Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Apicella, Vinnie "Acheron – Tribute To The Devil's Music" (review), Ink19
- "Maximum Metal". Maximum Metal. Archived from the original on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
- "Blabbermouth.Net – Acheron Is Back!". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
External links
- Official website at Internet Archive
- Acheron at Rockdetector at Internet Archive
- Vincent Crowley's channel on YouTube
- Rivadavia, Eduardo "Acheron – Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood" (review), Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Acheron interview, Metal Message
- Acheron interview, Voices From the Darkside