Angelcorpse was a blackened death metal band born on the ashes of Pete Helmkamp's previous band, Order From Chaos, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and relocated to Tampa, Florida. They formed in 1995, with a line-up of Helmkamp, guitarist Gene Palubicki, and drummer John Longstreth, and recorded a demo, Goats to Azazael , which led to a contract with Osmose Productions. [1] The band's debut album, Hammer of Gods , was released in 1996, after which rhythm guitarist Bill Taylor joined, playing on second album Exterminate (1998). Drummer Tony Laureano joined shortly after its release but Taylor left. The band's third album, The Inexorable , was released in the fall of 1999, after which Taylor rejoined. While on tour with Immortal, Satyricon, and Krisiun, in support of The Inexorable , the band had an accident in their tour van, in which Helmkamp was injured. [2] On the same tour, Helmkamp's girlfriend was stabbed, and he decided to leave the band. The rest of the band continued for a while but decided to split up. In 2006, the band reformed and recorded a new album, Of Lucifer and Lightning . Helmkamp said of the reunion: "It just seems like the planets realigned. It's not like we didn't get along or that there were any bridges to mend." Their lyrical themes are generally of anti-Christian sentiment and concern warfare. The band has been involved in a number of American and European tours involving other metal acts such as Immortal, Krisiun, Cianide, and Watain. An East Coast USA tour was completed in May 2007 . In 2008 the band embarked on a larger European tour with Revenge and Arkhon Infaustus throughout Europe, this tour included a performance at the United Metal Maniacs Open Air Festival in Bitterfeld Germany. Upon returning to the US, live dates on the West Coast with Cemetary Urn, Sanguis Imperum, Gospel of the Horns, and Ares Kingdom were completed. On the 7th of April 2009 the members announced disbandment, citing "musical differences" as the reason. [3] Helmkamp claimed that the band was fuelled by "the constant struggle, strife, cameraderie, and unified will that forged the iron, blood, and blasphemy of our music and lyrics". [4]

ANGELCORPSE TICKETS Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Eagles Tickets Sebastian Maniscalco Tickets Jeff Dunham Tickets Rod Wave Tickets Metallica Tickets

Discography

• Goats to Azazael (demo, 1995)
• Hammer of Gods (1996)
• Nuclear Hell (EP, 1997)
• Wolflust (single, 1997)
• Exterminate (1998)
• Winds of Desecration (EP, split with Martire, 1999)
• The Inexorable (1999)
• Iron, Blood and Blasphemy (compilation of singles, EPs, live songs and original demo, 2000)
• Death Dragons of the Apocalypse (live CD, 2002)
• Of Lucifer and Lightning (2007)

While Angelcorpse's main material was released on Osmose, the singles, EPs, and live albums were released on Gene Palubicki's Evil Vengeance Records.

Members

Current members

• Pete Helmkamp - bass, vocals
• Gene Palubicki - guitar
• Terry "Warhead" - drums

Former members

• Tony Laureano - drums
• Bill Taylor - guitar
• Steve Bailey - live guitar
• John Longstreth - drums
• Paul Collier- drums
• J.R. Daniels - drums
• Kelly McLauchlin- Guitar

References

1. Huey, Steve "Angel Corpse Biography", ''Allmusic'', Macrovision Corporation
2. Bennett, J (2007) "Angelcorpse - Back From the Grave", ''Revolver'', August 2007, p.34
3. "Angelcorpse calls it quits", Blabbermouth.net, 7 April 2009
4. Purcell, Natalie J. (2003) ''Death Metal Music'', McFarland, ISBN 9780786415854, p.73-74