Angelcorpse
American blackened death metal band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Angelcorpse was a blackened death metal band formed after the demise of Pete Helmkamp's previous band, Order from Chaos. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, they relocated to Tampa, Florida.
Angelcorpse | |
|---|---|
Angelcorpse performing in Paris, 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genres | Blackened death metal, blackened thrash metal |
| Years active | 1995–2000, 2006–2009, 2015–2017 |
| Labels | Osmose Productions The End Records |
| Members | Pete Helmkamp Gene Palubicki Andrea Janko |
| Past members | Bill Taylor Steve Bailey Tony Laureano John Longstreth Paul Collier |
Metal Injection described the band's style of death metal as "blindingly fast".[1] Some journalists consider Angelcorpse to be an overlooked band in the history of extreme metal. In 2025, Vice wrote: "Angelcorpse wrote some of the best thrashy, unholy death metal to ever be unleashed from the Everglades. The band’s debut album, Hammer of Gods is a must-listen, as is their second full-length, Exterminate."[2]
History
Angelcorpse formed in 1995, with a line-up of Helmkamp, guitarist Gene Palubicki, and drummer John Longstreth, and recorded a demo, Goats to Azazael, which led to a contract with Osmose Productions.[3] The band's debut album, Hammer of Gods, was released in 1996, after which rhythm guitarist Bill Taylor joined, playing on second album Exterminate (1998).[3] Drummer Tony Laureano joined shortly after its release but Taylor left.[3] The band's third album, The Inexorable, was released in the fall of 1999, after which Taylor rejoined.[3] While on tour with Immortal, Satyricon, and Krisiun, in support of The Inexorable, the band had an accident in their tour van, in which Helmkamp was injured.[4] On the same tour, Helmkamp's girlfriend was stabbed, and he decided to leave the band.[4] The rest of the band continued for a while but decided to split up.
In 2006, the band reformed and recorded a new album.[4] Helmkamp said of the reunion: "It just seems like the planets realigned. It's not like we didn't get along or that there were any bridges to mend."[4]
The band was involved in a number of American and European tours involving other metal acts such as Immortal, Krisiun, Cianide, and Watain. An East Coast USA tour was completed in May 2007. In 2008 the band embarked on a larger European tour with Revenge and Arkhon Infaustus throughout Europe, this tour included a performance at the United Metal Maniacs Open Air Festival in Bitterfeld Germany. Upon returning to the US, live dates on the West Coast with Cemetery Urn, Sanguis Imperum, Gospel of the Horns, and Ares Kingdom were completed. On April 7, 2009, the members announced disbandment, citing "musical differences" as the reason.[5]
Helmkamp claimed that the band is fueled by "the constant struggle, strife, camaraderie, and unified will that forged the iron, blood, and blasphemy of our music and lyrics".[6]
As of 2015, the band temporarily reformed for select live dates, though it was repeatedly stressed that it was a one-time live reunion that would not produce new material. Upon concluding their reunion live dates in 2017, the band split up permanently.
Other projects
Angelcorpse guitarist Gene Palubicki has also played with a death/thrash metal project called Blasphemic Cruelty. Their debut album is called Devil's Mayhem. Gina Ambrosio played drums in the band and Alex Blume played bass and did vocals. Juan 'Punchy' Gonzalez engineered the album.[7] They signed to Hells Headbangers Records in 2012.[8]
Discography
- Goats to Azazel (demo, 1995)
- Hammer of Gods (1996)
- Nuclear Hell (EP, 1997)
- Wolflust (single, 1997)
- Exterminate (1998)
- Winds of Desecration (EP, split with Martire, 1999)
- The Inexorable (1999)
- Iron, Blood and Blasphemy (compilation of singles, EPs, live songs and original demo, 2000)
- Death Dragons of the Apocalypse (live CD, 2002)
- Of Lucifer and Lightning (2007)
While Angelcorpse's main material is released on Osmose, the singles, EPs, and live albums were released on Gene Palubicki's Evil Vengeance Records.
Members
Final lineup
- Pete Helmkamp – bass, vocals (1995–2000, 2006–2009, 2015–2017)
- Gene Palubicki – guitars (1995–2000, 2006–2009, 2015–2017)
- Andrea Janko – drums (2016–2017)
Former members
- Tony Laureano – drums (1998–2000)
- Bill Taylor – guitars (1996–1998, 1999-2000)
- John Longstreth – drums (1995–1998, 2006–2007)
- Paul Collier – drums (2008)
- Terry "Warhead" – drums (2008–2009)
- Ronnie Parmer – drums (2015–2016)
- Ken Phillips – guitars (1999)
Timeline
