Acheron (band)
Acheron (/ˈækərən, -ɒn/) was an American Death/Black Metal band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that was formed by Vincent Crowley in 1988.[1][2] The band is named after the mythological river Acheron (Ancient Greek: Ἀχέρων – Akhérōn) located in the underground kingdom of Hades in ancient Greek mythology.
Acheron | |
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Origin | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Tampa, Florida, United States |
Genres | Death Metal, Black Metal |
Years active | 1988–2010, 2010–2016, 2017-2019 |
Labels | Turbo, Lethal, Moribund, Full Moon, Black Lotus, Displeased, Listenable Records |
Members | Vincent Crowley Art Taylor Shaun Cothron Brandon Howe |
History
Founded in 1988 by vocalist/bassist/songwriter Vincent Crowley (formerly of Nocturnus, and leader of the satanic youth group "Order of the Evil Eye"),[3] Acheron's musical output is almost exclusively Satanic and Anti-Christian in content. Early albums featured interludes by Peter H. Gilmore.[3] Crowley was appointed a priest in the Church of Satan by its founder, Anton Szandor LaVey, and began spending a lot of his time debating local televangelists, limiting Acheron's output for a time.[3] He later disassociated himself from the church to act independently.[4]
In 2003, the band released an album of cover versions, Tribute to the Devil's Music, including songs originally recorded by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Kreator, and Celtic Frost.[4]
On April 26, 2010, Vincent Crowley announced that the band was calling it quits.[5] On December 27, 2010, it was announced that Acheron have reunited.[6]
Members
Final members
- Vincent Crowley - Guitars (1988–1991, 1996–1998, 2008), Vocals (1991–1994, 1994-2010, 2010–2019), Bass (1991–1994, 1994-2010, 2010–2019)
- Art Taylor - Guitars (2009–2010, 2012–2019)
- Shaun Cothron - Guitars (2011–2012, 2014–2019)
- Brandon Howe - Drums (2014–2019)
Vocals
- Michael Smith - Vocals (1988–1990)
- Rhiannon Wisniewski - Vocals (2002)
Guitars
- Belial Koblak - Guitars (1989–1991)
- Pete Slate - Guitars (1991–1992)
- Tony Blakk - Guitars (1992, 1994, 1995)
- Vincent Breeding - Guitars (1992, 1994-1995)
- Trebor Ladres - Guitars (1994–1995)
- Michael Estes - Guitars (1996–1999, 2001–2004)
- Bryan Hipp - Guitars (1998)
- Ben Meyer - Guitars (1998)
- Bill Taylor - Guitars (1999)
- Stacey Connolly - Guitars (2004)
- Max Otworth - Guitars (2006–2010, 2010-2012)
- Ash Thomas - Guitars (2008–2009)
- Eric Stewart - Guitars (2010)
Bass
- David Smith - Bass (1988–1991)
- Troy Heffern - Bass (1996)
Keyboards
- Peter H. Gilmore - Keyboards (1988–1989)
- John Scott - Keyboards (1996–1999)
- Adina Blase - Keyboards (1998–1999)
- Aaron Werner - Keyboards (2001–2005)
Drums
- James Strauss - Drums (1988-1989, 1989–1991, 1991-1992)
- Ron Hogue - Drums (1989)
- Robert Orr - Drums (1991)
- Michael Browning - Drums (1992, 1994-1995)
- Joe Oliver - Drums (1995)
- Richard Christy - Drums (1996)
- Tony Laureano - Drums (1998)
- Jonathan Lee - Drums (1998–1999)
- Daniel Zink - Drums (2001)
- Kyle Severn - Drums (2002–2010, 2010-2014)
- Scott Pletcher - Drums (2010)
Timeline
Discography
- Messe Noir (Demo, 1989)
- Rites of the Black Mass (1991, re-released in 2006)
- Alla Xul (7", Demo, 1992)
- Rites of the Black Mass (Turbo, 1992)
- Hail Victory (CD, Metal Merchant, 1993)
- Satanic Victory (CD, Turbo, 1994)
- Lex Talionis (CD, Turbo, 1994; reissued as Lex Talionis: Satanic Victory, Blackened, 1997)
- Anti-God, Anti-Christ (CD, Moribund, 1996)
- Those Who Have Risen (CD, Full Moon Productions, 1998)
- Compendium Diablerie: The Demo Days (CD, Full Moon Productions, 2001)
- Xomaly (2002)
- Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood (CD, Black Lotus, 2003)
- Tribute to the Devil's Music (CD, Black Lotus, 2003)
- The Final Conflict: Last Days of God (CD, Displeased Records, 2009)
- Kult Des Hasses (CD, Listenable Records. 2014)
References
- Kristiansen, Jon "Metalion" (1991). "Acheron". Slayer (8): 7.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Acheron". Allmusic. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo "Acheron Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Apicella, Vinnie "Acheron – Tribute To The Devil's Music" (review), Ink19
- "Maximum Metal". Maximum Metal. Archived from the original on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
- "Blabbermouth.Net – Acheron Is Back!". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
External links
- Official website at Internet Archive
- Acheron at Rockdetector at Internet Archive
- Vincent Crowley's channel on YouTube
- Rivadavia, Eduardo "Acheron – Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood" (review), Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Acheron interview, Metal Message
- Acheron interview, Voices From the Darkside
- https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Acheron/123