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Biographie : Benediction

Originally formed back in February 1989 around the line-up of Paul Adams (bass), Peter Rew (guitars), Darren Brookes (guitars) and Mark "Barney" Greenway, who later became a vocalist with Napalm Death, Birmingham based BENEDICTION draw the interest of NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS with their first demo The Dreams You Dread, which was released the same year. Their first album, Subconscious Terror saw its' release in 1990, followed by the departure of Barney, joining Napalm Death. The crashing debut was received well and a new vocalist, Dave Ingram was found soon. The band worked hard to escape the ghost of Greenway and during the ensuring extensive touring schedule
1991 saw the band back out with Bolt Thrower and Nocturnus and here Ingram really shows his metal, so much that the ghost of Greenway was condemned to death at a stroke. The band completed work on their second album, The Grand Leveller and the difference in the writing was a revelation, attracting international acclaim throughout the Death Metal Market. Having already completed one European tour with Massacra during the year between the recording and the mixing of the album, the band now took to the road again with Dismember. After that tour Paul Adams departed, fed up with the road, work, the band, it was yet another kick in the teeth for this UK band. Seemingly undeterred though, the band was back in studio in December 1991 with Darren playing bass on a new EP, Dark Is The Season, which included a punishing cover of the old Anvil stalwart Forged In Fire, and January 1992 saw the band back in Europe again with Asphyx and Bolt Thrower. Dark Is The Season was yet another big success that proved that perseverance is still a virtue to be admired in today's cut and thrust business.

Later that year they found their new bassist, Frank Healy, at that time with Cerebral Fix. Frank joined BENDICTION as a full time member just as they whisked off to Israel and a heaving Tel Aviv was his initiation.

In 1993 BENEDICTION unleashed their massive Transcend The Rubicon upon mankind. The album's release was followed by the extensive World Violation tour with Cemetery and Atheist throughout Europe, USA, Canada and again Israel. After that tour, Ian Treacy left the band due to mounting personal differences. After The Grotesque - Ashen Epitaph EP, which featured two brand new songs and three crushing live tracks Neil Hutton, an 18-year-old drumming wonder, replaced him on a permanent basis. He had his initiation on the 11 dates of the NUCLEAR BLAST NEW YEARS FESTIVALS, which took place in January 1995 and saw BENEDICTION'S awesome live performances on German, Dutch, Austrian, Swiss and Czech stages. Meanwhile the band has already put the finishing touches to their fourth full length album The Dreams You Dread. Yet another massive impact on the worldwide metal scene followed by even more skull crushing live shows.

BENEDICTION formed a close relationship with Death, touring extensively with them at Chuck Shuldiners request.

Chuck is just one of many musicians who have infinite respect for BENEDICTIONS 'no-shit' approach and dedication to their genre

Their next album 'Grind Bastard' was launched with yet another raging tour seeing the band break new territories in the former Eastern Block countries.

They were taken on board by TCI agency in New York who now books all of their live work and touring.

Their current album with Nuclear Blast 'Organised Chaos' was released in October 2001. Produced by Andy Sneap, it sees a welcome return to recording for them and of course, will be launched with more skull crushing live appearances throughout Europe.

Source: Label Officiel: http://www.nuclearblast.de