DAMAGED

Hilly (guitar); Skitz (drums); Mohawk (bass); Dave Saddington (vocals)

There's probably very few bands in the world who could match the chaotic intensity and downright aggression-fuelled turmoil of which Damaged was capable. Over the course of their long and often turbulent history, Damaged consistently created some of the most extreme, pulverising, ferocious and berserk total death grind shred known to man. The ultimate musical personification of pure anger, Damaged attacked all audiences with every drop of rabid, barely controlled fury they had at their disposal. Formed in Ballarat in 1989 around Skitz, Hilly, Jaymi Ludbrooke (vocals), Matt Silcock (guitar) and Mohawk on bass, it didn't take long for the band to make an indelible mark when the "Art of Destroying Life" demo set about savaging the headspace of anyone who got too close. Devastating live performances and tours with the likes of Cannibal Corpse further established Damaged as one of Australia's most remarkable and unforgiving extreme acts, and the Do Not Spit album cemented the reputation. Personnel and record label problems caused the band to split in 1996, but a year later they were back with a five-album deal with US indie label Rotten and a stripped down four piece line-up minus Silcock. The band began renewed touring that included a national support with Entombed but before long old tensions had arisen and Ludbrook was sacked in the middle of a tour when he failed to show up on time for a gig in Canberra. Earth's Brendan Birge took on the vocal role but his stay was short and he left the band at the beginning of May 1999. Mohawk left around the same time and Damaged was reduced to just Skitz and Hilly. Rumours abounded for some time that former Brutal Truth vocalist Kevin Sharp would join Damaged and in late 1999 this indeed occurred. With Terry Vainoras from Order of Chaos supplying bass, together they went on to complete a new album called Purified in Pain which has something more of a death metal feel than previous releases. Damaged utilised Eddy from The Wolves as their bass player for their 2000 national tour which, with Sharp out front had them performing only new material, to some disappointment from fans. After that tour, Damaged seemed to go to ground for a long period with Hilly playing in Running With Scissors. Mohawk rejoined the band during this period and in early 2003 it was announced that former Uncle Chunk vocalist Dave Saddington had stepped into the line-up. The band re-entered the live arena with a national tour in mid-2003 that culminated in support slots with Sepultura and a headlining appearance at Metal for the Brain. Damaged played what was to be their final performances in January 2004, as Skitz was forced to retire from playing due to a serious health condition and in March 2004 the decision was made for Damaged to come to an end. The remaining members aim to continue under a new name. A few months later it emerged that Skitz was involved in a new band called Walk the Earth, with former vocalist Damaged vocalist Ludbrooke and ex-members of Bison and Superheist.

Skitz was the drummer for Sadistik Exekution's European tour in 1996 and has also featured in Abramelin and as singer in Engraved and Hellspawn. He also played some drum tracks on Destroyer 666's Violence is the Prince of This World. Hilly was with Discordia briefly in 1996.

Discography:

Do Not Spit/Passive Backseat Demon Engines (Rotten) 2002

Hilly (guitar)
Matt Skitz (drums)
Mohawk (bass)
Jaymi Ludbrooke (vocals)
Mat Silcock (guitar)
  1. Dreggs
  2. Dust
  3. The Travellin' Manic
  4. Slow Heretic
  5. Ultra Mild
  6. Open Arms
  7. Don't Spit
  8. Resurrect
  9. Walk Blind and Burn in Every Step (Crucified)
  10. My Grain
  11. Nails
  12. Dethroned Emperor
  13. Internal Dismemberment Conflicts
  14. Passive Backseat Demon Engines
  15. Straight Jacket
  16. Extra Mild
  17. Equimanthorn

Purified in Pain (Rotten) 2000

Hilly (guitar)
Matt Skitz (drums)
Kevin Sharp (vocals)

Terry Vainoras (bass)
  1. Broken
  2. Cyberwar
  3. Lifestyles
  4. Head Trauma
  5. Into Annihilation
  6. Conman
  7. Breathe Deep
  8. Follow the Man
  9. After World Obliteration
  10. Open Season
  11. Freaks and Geeks
  12. For a Good Time

Token Remedies Research (Rotten) 1997

Hilly (guitar)
Matt Skitz (drums)
Mohawk (bass)
Jaymi Ludbrooke (vocals)
  1. Token Remedies Research
  2. Change
  3. Eternal Dismemberment Complex
  4. The Mirror Perils
  5. Cold Blood Eraser
  6. Soul Vaxation Accidental
  7. Swine-Eyed Sweep
  8. Ingrained
  9. Glass Spines and Hearts Like Junkies
  10. Dust

Satisfaction? (single) (Black Hole) 1995

Hilly (guitar)
Matt Skitz (drums)
Mohawk (bass)
Jaymi Ludbrooke (vocals)
Mat Silcock (guitar)
  1. Satisfaction
  2. Internal Dismemberment Conflicts!
  3. Passive Backseat Demon Engines

Passive Backseat Demon Engines (EP) (Black Hole) 1995

Hilly (guitar)
Matt Skitz (drums)
Mohawk (bass)
Jaymi Ludbrooke (vocals)
Mat Silcock (guitar)
  1. Internal Dismemberment Conflicts
  2. Passive Backseat Demon Engines
  3. Satisfaction (Radio Edit)
  4. Extra-Mild
  5. Equimanthorn

Do Not Spit (Black Hole) 1993

Hilly (guitar)
Matt Skitz (drums)
Mohawk (bass)
Jaymi Ludbrooke (vocals)
Mat Silcock (guitar)
  1. Dreggs
  2. Dust
  3. The Travellin' Manic
  4. Slow (Heretic)
  5. Ultra Mild
  6. Open Arms
  7. Don't Spit
  8. Resurrect
  9. Walk Blind and Burn in Every Step
  10. My Grain
  11. Nails
  12. Dethroned Emperor

Compilation track: Respect -- Check This Action (Destroyer) 1992

Compilation track: Untitled track -- Worst Case Scenario (Underclass) 1995

Compilation track: Equimanthorn -- Vulgar Tongue (Shock) 1996

Compilation track: Vengeance Consequence (Crucified Remix 99) -- Under the Southern Cross (Chatterbox) 1999

Compilation track: Head Trauma -- Route 666 Volume 2 (Shock) 2000

WEBSITE

Related entries: Abramelin, Discordia, Earth, Engraved, Hellspawn, Order of Chaos , Sadistik Exekution

This page is part of The Australian Metal Guide
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