Benediction (band)

Benediction is a British death metal band from Birmingham, England. They were formed in February 1989.

Biography

The Birmingham-based death metal band Benediction were formed in February 1989 by Paul Adams (bass), Peter Rew (guitar), Darren Brookes (guitar), and Mark "Barney" Greenway (vocals). With the demo The Dreams You Dread, released in the same year, they drew the interest of Nuclear Blast Records, resulting in a record deal. Their first album, Subconscious Terror, was released in 1990, followed by the departure of Barney, who joined Napalm Death. The debut was received well and a new singer, Dave Ingram, was found soon. In an extensive touring schedule 1991 saw the band toured with Bolt Thrower and Nocturnus.

Their second album, The Grand Leveller, attracted international acclaim. 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. The band was back in studio in December 1991 with Darren playing bass and guitar on a new EP, Dark is the Season, which included a cover of the old Anvil stalwart "Forged In Fire," and January 1992 saw the band back in Europe again with Asphyx and Bolt Thrower.

Later that year they found their new bassist, Frank Healy, at that time the guitarist of Cerebral Fix and formerly of Napalm Death. Healy joined as a full-time member just as left to play in Israel. According to an interview in the metallian.com encyclopedia the band had been involved in an altercation and fist fight with label-mates Dismember in Denmark. The band were arguing over tour arrangements.

In 1993, Benediction released their third album, Transcend the Rubicon. 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 because of personal differences. After The Grotesque / Ashen Epitaph EP, which featured two brand new songs and three live tracks Neil Hutton, Treacy was replaced by Neil Hutton, who was initiated on the eleven dates of the Nuclear Blast New Year Festivals, which took place in January 1995, for performances on German, Dutch, Austrian, Swiss, and Czech stages. Meanwhile, the band had already put the finishing touches to their fourth full-length album, The Dreams You Dread.

Benediction formed a close relationship with Death, touring extensively with them at Chuck Schuldiner's request.

Their next album, Grind Bastard, was launched with a tour, now including the former Eastern Block. A deal with TCI, a touring agency in New York, led to yet more touring, including another European tour with Death. This tour coincided with the departure of singer Dave Ingram and the introduction of new singer Dave Hunt (also the singer in Mistress and Anaal Nathrakh).

Their 8th studio album was released through Nuclear Blast in October 2001. Titled Organised Chaos, it was again produced by Andy Sneap, and was followed by more live appearances throughout Europe, highlighted by 2002's tour with Bolt Thrower and an appearance at the Gods of Metal festival in Milan, Italy - sharing a bill with the likes of Motörhead, W.A.S.P., Megadeth, and Judas Priest. Their most recent album, Killing Music, was released in August 2008.

Members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• Subconscious Terror (1990)
• The Grand Leveller (1991)
• Dark Is the Season (1992)
• Transcend the Rubicon (1993)
• The Grotesque / Ashen Epitaph (1994)
• The Dreams You Dread (1995)
• Grind Bastard (1998)
• Organised Chaos (2001)
• Killing Music (2008)

References

External links

• Official Benediction Myspace page
• Benediction on stage - 2008