Morpheus Descends is a death metal band that first formed in Middletown, New York in 1990 under the name of Morpheus. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes during their run, with their core lineup consisting of founding members Rob Yench and Sam Inzerra. The group initially broke up in 1998 due to a lack of interest in the project. However, in 2013 they reunited, and continue to play live shows. Morpheus Descends is considered to be an important band in the development of the New York death metal scene.[1]
The band performed their first rehearsal on October 31, 1990, with a lineup consisting of bassist Ken Faggio, drummer Sam Inzerra, vocalist Craig Campbell, and guitarists Rob Yench and Steve Hanson.[1] Before the formation of Morpheus Descends (who at this point were called Morpheus, a name inspired by the comic Sandman[2]), Faggio and Yench were in the band Volatile Zylog, while Campbell, Hanson and Inzerra were in the band Infectious Waste. The two bands played a show together the previous summer.[3] The band's early musical influences included Napalm Death, Black Sabbath, Death and Morbid Angel. The band recorded their first demo tape Accelerated Decrepitude in 1991. It contained tracks that would all later be released again as a 7" record under the title Adipocere in 1992 through Seraphic Decay Records.
The group were signed to JL America in 1992 and released their first full-length album Ritual of Infinity the same year. Composed of tracks recorded during different sessions,[4] the album was released under the band name Morpheus Descends—the first recording by the group to be released under that name. It was also the first recording by the group to feature vocalist Jeff Riemer, who had joined the group after Campbell left. According to Yench, the band name change was made at the request of JL America, since an electronic group with the name Morpheus already existed.[1][3] The ensuing tour for the album was financed and booked by the band themselves.[1]
The group independently released the extended play Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones in 1994 which Yench described as "much darker and more doom-laden".[3] For this recording, the band spent extra time in studio, as opposed to the "rushed" time schedule they had with their previous recordings.[1]Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones is the only release by the group to feature guitarist Bryan Johnston, who replaced Steve Hanson when he left the group after the release of Ritual of Infinity. It is also the last album by the group to feature vocalist Jeff Riemer. The group issued their third extended play The Horror of the Truth in 1997 through Angel Dust Records, the only release by the group to feature vocalist/guitarist Tom Stevens and bassist Andy Newton.[5] The group eventually broke up in 1998 due to creative differences, personal issues, and an overall lack of interest in the project.[1][5]
Post-breakup activity (1998–2012)Edit
After the band's break-up in 1998, members of the group went on to work on other projects. Both Stevens and Yench would go on to perform in Incantation.[6] Yench is currently a member of the groups Mausoleum, Typhus, and Engorge. Inzerra plays in the bands Mortician and Funerus[3] and was at one point a member of the crossover thrash group Generation Kill.[6] Faggio plays in Rooms of Ruin and Cabal 34.[3] Andy Newton joined the black metal band Fog under the nickname "Lord Typhus Mirinor".[6]
Former vocalist Jeff Riemer died on August 30, 2005, of a heroin overdose.[1][6][7][8]
Reunion (2013–present)Edit
The band performed their first show since their break-up in 1998 with a lineup consisting of founding members Yench, Inzerra, Faggio and Campbell, and newly recruited guitarist Ed Winners in 2013.[1] The idea to reunite was one that had stuck with the band since their initial dissolution.[2] However, it was not until 2012 when Inzerra and Yench met at Maryland Deathfest when the idea was taken seriously.[9] To celebrate the band's 25th anniversary in 2015, Dark Descent Records released the three-disc anthology box set From Blackened Crypts that contained the band's entire recorded discography, a DVD Visage of Malady containing live footage and interviews, and two newly recorded tracks.[1] The two new tracks, "Oozing of the Urn" and "The King's Curse", were released as their own separate 7" record that same year under the same name. Webzine Metal Rules named From Blackened Crypts as the best box set of 2015.[10] The 7" was mentioned in Death Metal Undereground's "Best Albums of 2015" feature.[11]
The group has been touring regularly since their reunion and have announced plans to write and record more new material in the future.[8]
^ abcdefghiRameriz, Carlos. "Interview with Rob Yench (Morpheus Descends, Mausoleum, Typhus, Engorge, Incarnation)". noecho.net. No Echo. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
^ abCariosca, Anthony. "Interview: Morpheus Descends Bassist Talks Maryland Deathfest & New Album". archive.alternativenation.net. Alternative Nation. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
^n/a (July 18, 2012). "Chronicle of the Shadowed One: An Interview with Rob Yench of Morpheus Descends". peopleoftheblackcircle.blogspot.com. People of the Black Circle. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
^ abSullivan, Joe. "Interview with Morpheus Descends". metalforeveryone.com. Metal For Everyone. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
^n/a. "Interview with Rob Yench, Morpheus Descends". toughriffs.weebly.com. Tough Riffs. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
^n/a (January 2, 2016). "Best of 2015 - Infamous Butcher". metal-rules.com. Metal Rules. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
^n/a. "Death Metal Underground's Best Albums of 2015". deathmetal.org. Death Metal Underground. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
External linksEdit
Morpheus Descends on Discogs
Morpheus Descends on Facebook
September 02, 2023
morpheus, descends, death, metal, band, that, first, formed, middletown, york, 1990, under, name, morpheus, band, undergone, numerous, lineup, changes, during, their, with, their, core, lineup, consisting, founding, members, yench, inzerra, group, initially, b. Morpheus Descends is a death metal band that first formed in Middletown New York in 1990 under the name of Morpheus The band has undergone numerous lineup changes during their run with their core lineup consisting of founding members Rob Yench and Sam Inzerra The group initially broke up in 1998 due to a lack of interest in the project However in 2013 they reunited and continue to play live shows Morpheus Descends is considered to be an important band in the development of the New York death metal scene 1 Morpheus DescendsAlso known asMorpheusOriginMiddletown New York U S GenresDeath metalYears active1990 1998 2013 presentLabelsDark Descent Angel Dust JL America Seraphic DecayMembersRob Yench Sam Inzerra Ken Faggio Tim Rocheny Adam KeggPast membersAndy Newton Tom Stevens Bryan Johnston Jeff Riemer Steve Hanson Craig Campbell Contents 1 History 1 1 Initial run 1990 1998 1 2 Post breakup activity 1998 2012 1 3 Reunion 2013 present 2 Band members 2 1 Current members 2 2 Former members 2 3 Timeline 3 Discography 3 1 Studio albums 3 2 Extended plays 3 3 Box sets 3 4 Demo albums 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditInitial run 1990 1998 Edit The band performed their first rehearsal on October 31 1990 with a lineup consisting of bassist Ken Faggio drummer Sam Inzerra vocalist Craig Campbell and guitarists Rob Yench and Steve Hanson 1 Before the formation of Morpheus Descends who at this point were called Morpheus a name inspired by the comic Sandman 2 Faggio and Yench were in the band Volatile Zylog while Campbell Hanson and Inzerra were in the band Infectious Waste The two bands played a show together the previous summer 3 The band s early musical influences included Napalm Death Black Sabbath Death and Morbid Angel The band recorded their first demo tape Accelerated Decrepitude in 1991 It contained tracks that would all later be released again as a 7 record under the title Adipocere in 1992 through Seraphic Decay Records The group were signed to JL America in 1992 and released their first full length album Ritual of Infinity the same year Composed of tracks recorded during different sessions 4 the album was released under the band name Morpheus Descends the first recording by the group to be released under that name It was also the first recording by the group to feature vocalist Jeff Riemer who had joined the group after Campbell left According to Yench the band name change was made at the request of JL America since an electronic group with the name Morpheus already existed 1 3 The ensuing tour for the album was financed and booked by the band themselves 1 The group independently released the extended play Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones in 1994 which Yench described as much darker and more doom laden 3 For this recording the band spent extra time in studio as opposed to the rushed time schedule they had with their previous recordings 1 Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones is the only release by the group to feature guitarist Bryan Johnston who replaced Steve Hanson when he left the group after the release of Ritual of Infinity It is also the last album by the group to feature vocalist Jeff Riemer The group issued their third extended play The Horror of the Truth in 1997 through Angel Dust Records the only release by the group to feature vocalist guitarist Tom Stevens and bassist Andy Newton 5 The group eventually broke up in 1998 due to creative differences personal issues and an overall lack of interest in the project 1 5 Post breakup activity 1998 2012 Edit After the band s break up in 1998 members of the group went on to work on other projects Both Stevens and Yench would go on to perform in Incantation 6 Yench is currently a member of the groups Mausoleum Typhus and Engorge Inzerra plays in the bands Mortician and Funerus 3 and was at one point a member of the crossover thrash group Generation Kill 6 Faggio plays in Rooms of Ruin and Cabal 34 3 Andy Newton joined the black metal band Fog under the nickname Lord Typhus Mirinor 6 Former vocalist Jeff Riemer died on August 30 2005 of a heroin overdose 1 6 7 8 Reunion 2013 present Edit The band performed their first show since their break up in 1998 with a lineup consisting of founding members Yench Inzerra Faggio and Campbell and newly recruited guitarist Ed Winners in 2013 1 The idea to reunite was one that had stuck with the band since their initial dissolution 2 However it was not until 2012 when Inzerra and Yench met at Maryland Deathfest when the idea was taken seriously 9 To celebrate the band s 25th anniversary in 2015 Dark Descent Records released the three disc anthology box set From Blackened Crypts that contained the band s entire recorded discography a DVD Visage of Malady containing live footage and interviews and two newly recorded tracks 1 The two new tracks Oozing of the Urn and The King s Curse were released as their own separate 7 record that same year under the same name Webzine Metal Rules named From Blackened Crypts as the best box set of 2015 10 The 7 was mentioned in Death Metal Undereground s Best Albums of 2015 feature 11 The group has been touring regularly since their reunion and have announced plans to write and record more new material in the future 8 Band members EditCurrent members Edit Tim Rocheny vocals 2015 present Rob Yench guitar 1990 1998 2013 present Ken Faggio bass 1990 1993 2013 present Adam Kegg guitar 2015 present Sam Inzerra drums 1990 1998 2013 present Former members Edit Craig Campbell vocals 1990 1991 2013 2015 Ed Winter guitar 2014 2015 Tom Stevens guitar vocals 1995 1998 Andy Newton bass 1993 1998 Bryan Johnston guitar 1993 1995 Jeff Riemer vocals 1992 1995 died 2005 Steve Hanson guitar 1990 1993 Timeline EditDiscography EditStudio albums Edit Ritual of Infinity 1992 Extended plays Edit Adipocere 1992 Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones 1994 The Horror of the Truth 1997 From Blackened Crypts 2015 Box sets Edit From Blackened Crypts 2015 Demo albums Edit Accelerated Decrepitude 1991 Corpse Under Glass 1992 Cairn of Dumitru 1993 References Edit a b c d e f g h i Rameriz Carlos Interview with Rob Yench Morpheus Descends Mausoleum Typhus Engorge Incarnation noecho net No Echo Retrieved December 12 2014 a b Cariosca Anthony Interview Morpheus Descends Bassist Talks Maryland Deathfest amp New Album archive alternativenation net Alternative Nation Retrieved February 5 2015 a b c d e Stevens Brett Interview Morpheus Descends Rob Yench deathmetal org deathmetal org Retrieved June 13 2013 n a July 18 2012 Chronicle of the Shadowed One An Interview with Rob Yench of Morpheus Descends peopleoftheblackcircle blogspot com People of the Black Circle Retrieved July 18 2012 a b n a Tom Stevens Interview metalcorefanzine com MetalCore Fanzine Retrieved December 17 2016 a b c d Rivadavia Eduardo Morpheus Descends Biography allmusic com AllMusic Guide Retrieved December 17 2016 n a September 12 2005 Former Morpheus Descends Vocalist Passes Away blabbermouth net Blabbermouth Retrieved September 12 2005 a b Sullivan Joe Interview with Morpheus Descends metalforeveryone com Metal For Everyone Retrieved May 30 2015 n a Interview with Rob Yench Morpheus Descends toughriffs weebly com Tough Riffs Retrieved June 5 2015 n a January 2 2016 Best of 2015 Infamous Butcher metal rules com Metal Rules Retrieved January 2 2016 n a Death Metal Underground s Best Albums of 2015 deathmetal org Death Metal Underground Retrieved January 3 2016 External links EditMorpheus Descends on Discogs Morpheus Descends on Facebook Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Morpheus Descends amp oldid 1122678258, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
