ABRAMELIN

A grindcore death metal band from Melbourne, Abramelin is one of Australia's most legendary extreme acts, and has retained that distinction despite long periods of inactivity. Abramelin's music is amongst theheaviest death metal in the world and Dower's lyrics would sicken even the most hardened gorehound. Originally known as Acheron, the band formed in 1989 with a line-up of Dower and Aldridge, plus Jason Dutton (drums), David Abbott (guitar) and bass player Derek. These last three were replaced in 1991 by Euan Heriot, Mark Schilby and Justin Wornes and after the release of a 7" EP, "Deprived of Afterlife", the band changed its name to Abramelin to avoid further confusion with the US black metal band Acheron. The first release under the new name was a badly-produced EP. Schilby had gone from the band by the time of the first full-length album, which was issued overseas by Spain's Repulse Records but given little label support. Heriot left in 1996 to maintain commitments to both Fracture and Blood Duster and was replaced briefly by that band's former drummer, Matt Rizzo, then by Skitz from Damaged. Rob Mollica from Earth meanwhile provided second guitar for live shows. After a performance at the 1997 Metal for the Brain festival, Abramelin appeared to grind to a halt with the rumoured second album lost in the aether. However it would seem the project was never officially shelved as Deadspeak was released in mid-2000 as a two piece effort with Aldridge responsible for all the music, although Skitz laid down the original drum tracks that were later recorded using a drum machine. Abramelin has been sporadically active on the live front since that time, appearing at Metal for the Brain in 2000 and touring with Cradle of Filth in 2001. The band's live line-up for that tour was Dower, Aldridge, Matt Rizzo (drums), Matt Wilcock (guitar) and Grant Karajic (bass).