Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Last updated
Agoraphobic Nosebleed
Origin Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Genres Grindcore [1]
Years active1994present
Members Scott Hull
Jay Randall
Richard Johnson
John Jarvis
Past membersKatherine Katz
Carl Shultz
J.R. Hayes

Agoraphobic Nosebleed (abbreviated as ANb) is an American grindcore band. [2] Its line-up has changed often over the years, with guitarist and drum programmer Scott Hull being the only continuous member. The current line-up includes vocalist Jay Randall, and Richard Johnson of Enemy Soil and Drugs of Faith, along with John Jarvis of Pig Destroyer and Fulgora on bass guitar.

Contents

History

Agoraphobic Nosebleed formed in 1994 in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. They are known for rarely playing live, having played at the 2003 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival as an unscheduled appearance. The band Pig Destroyer cut its set short so Agoraphobic Nosebleed could play two songs and an intro. Twelve years later, the band finally played their first full live set at the 2015 edition of the Maryland Deathfest. Their second full live set was played on November 15, 2015, at the Housecore Horror Festival Part III in San Antonio, TX. In keeping with the band's aesthetic, no live drummer has been used at the performances.

In 2006, Hydra Head Records reissued Agoraphobic Nosebleed's 6" PCP Torpedo as a double disc set entitled PCP Torpedo/ANbRx . The first disc consists of the 10-song, 6-minute original EP. The second disc is over an hour's worth of remixes of songs from PCP Torpedo by breakcore and noise music artists such as Xanopticon, James Plotkin, Merzbow, and Justin Broadrick.

In 2009, the band released the album Agorapocalypse on Relapse, available as a CD, LP, and longbox CD. The split 7-inch with Crom was released a month later. In 2010, the band released a split 7-inch with The Endless Blockade for Relapse Records and a split 5" with A.N.S. for Tankcrimes Records. A split CD/LP with Despise You was released on Relapse in 2011. The December 2011 issue of Decibel Magazine included a flexi disc titled Make a Joyful Noise, and the December 2012 issue included a flexi disc containing the song "Merry Chrystmeth". [3]

Agoraphobic Nosebleed is recording four EPs, each written in the preferred style of a specific member. [4] Kat Katz's EP, Arc , was released in 2016. Randall is currently working on Drum Machine Gun 2, as well as doing a collaborative 7-inch with Wadge and a collaborative 12-inch with Black Mayonnaise.

On October 24, 2018, Kat Katz announced their departure from Agoraphobic Nosebleed due to "being bullied by dudes", the other remaining band members vehemently denies any such neglectful interaction with Katz but supported them leaving due to irreconcilable differences. [5] [6]

Musical style

Agoraphobic Nosebleed is one of the most well-known drum-machine grindcore bands, and has influenced many drum-machine grindcore bands. [7] They are known for the brevity of their songs. The album Altered States of America features 100 songs (including one hidden) in just under 22 minutes, with many songs of 5 seconds or less, and the longest song being only 1:45. [8]

Personnel

Current members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Other releases

Related Research Articles

Grindcore is an extreme fusion genre of heavy metal and hardcore punk that originated in the mid-1980s, drawing inspiration from abrasive-sounding musical styles, such as thrashcore, crust punk, hardcore punk, extreme metal, and industrial. Grindcore is considered a more noise-filled style of hardcore punk while using hardcore's trademark characteristics such as heavily distorted, down-tuned guitars, grinding overdriven bass, high-speed tempo, blast beats, and vocals which consist of growls, shouts and high-pitched shrieks. Early groups like Napalm Death are credited with laying the groundwork for the style. It is most prevalent today in North America and Europe, with popular contributors such as Brutal Truth and Nasum. Lyrical themes range from a primary focus on social and political concerns, to gory subject matter and black humor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brutal Truth</span> American grindcore band

Brutal Truth was an American grindcore band from New York City, formed by ex-Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, and Stormtroopers of Death bass guitarist Dan Lilker in 1990. The group disbanded in 1999, but reformed in 2006 and continued to release music until 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pig Destroyer</span> American band

Pig Destroyer is an American grindcore band formed in 1997 in Alexandria, Virginia. The band was formed by vocalist J.R. Hayes, guitarist Scott Hull, and drummer John Evans. Throughout the band's earlier history, they were a three-piece group until sampler Blake Harrison joined in 2006, notably had no bassist until the inclusion of John Jarvis in 2013, and went through 2 past drummers with the role currently held by Adam Jarvis. Pig Destroyer is one of the most well-known grindcore bands in the genre due to Hayes's poetic lyrics, Hull's incorporation of thrash, punk, and doom influences in songwriting, and technical drum work.

<i>Terrifyer</i> 2004 studio album by Pig Destroyer

Terrifyer is the third studio album by American grindcore band Pig Destroyer. It was released in 2004 by Relapse Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Hull (musician)</span> Musical artist

Scott Hull is an American grindcore musician, and the current guitarist and producer for Pig Destroyer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, and Japanese Torture Comedy Hour. He has been part of many other projects including the controversial band Anal Cunt. Aside from his music works, he currently works as a government computer specialist. Hull is noted for his experimental style of guitar playing that incorporates various influences, as well as for his use of eight string and seven string guitars.

<i>Prowler in the Yard</i> 2001 studio album by Pig Destroyer

Prowler in the Yard is the second studio album by American grindcore band Pig Destroyer. It was released on July 24, 2001, on Relapse Records. The album follows a dark and twisted story of love, obsession, and gore. The booklet also features an extra page of prose about the protagonist and "Jennifer". The album was recorded on an 8-track in drummer Brian Harvey's basement. In March 2009, Terrorizer named the album the third best American grindcore release of all time.

<i>Bestial Machinery (Discography Volume 1)</i> 2005 compilation album by Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Bestial Machinery is a double-CD anthology by the American grindcore band Agoraphobic Nosebleed. The album contains all of the material the group recorded prior to their Relapse Records full-length album Honky Reduction, much of which was only released on vinyl 7-inch EPs or compilations.

<i>PCP Torpedo</i>

PCP Torpedo is a 6" vinyl EP by American grindcore band Agoraphobic Nosebleed. It was released in 1998 on Hydra Head Records. PCP Torpedo was pressed on assorted colours, including black, black/red mixed, red, and orange/red mixed. The opening sample on "Thanksgiving Day" is Richard Pryor as Zeke Brown in the film Blue Collar.

<i>Altered States of America</i> 2003 studio album by Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Altered States of America is a 100-song 3" mini CD and the third studio album released by grindcore band Agoraphobic Nosebleed. The album's songs cover a variety of topics, with many referring to violence and drug use. Several songs consist solely of a vocal delivery of the title on top of noise, such as "The Tokyo Subway Gassing" and "The Star of David". The album is divided into movements, some of which are titled. "Wonder Drug Wonderland", which is credited as track 00, can be found on the CD by holding rewind at the start of track 1; it is the first song on the LP. The cover art was created by Jeff Gaither.

<i>Book Burner</i> 2012 studio album by Pig Destroyer

Book Burner is the fifth studio album by American grindcore band Pig Destroyer. It was released on October 22, 2012, through Relapse Records. The deluxe edition includes a short story by J.R. Hayes entitled "The Atheist" and an EP of hardcore punk covers. Vocalist J.R. Hayes stated that the band's only goal for Book Burner was "fast/brutal" and expressed happiness over the abundance of songs on the album with shorter lengths. Guitarist Scott Hull also affirmed that the band's goal was "shorter grind" on Book Burner in contrast with the preceding full-length album, Phantom Limb.

Benümb was an American grindcore band from Millbrae, California.

Florian Bertmer is a German illustrator from the hardcore punk, grindcore and metal scene. He has done artwork for bands like Converge, Napalm Death, The Hope Conspiracy, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Pig Destroyer, Doomriders, Kirk Hammett, Lucasfilm, Alamo Drafthouse and others. His early works were reminiscent of Pushead while his later works have become more influenced by Art Nouveau and Occultism. He fronted the band Cheerleaders Of The Apocalypse. He has also created several official movie posters in collaboration with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and has designed deck art for skateboard companies such as Creature Skateboards or Substance Abuse.

<i>This Comp Kills Fascists Vol. 1</i> 2008 compilation album by Various Artists

This Comp Kills Fascists Vol. 1 is a compilation album released by Relapse Records focusing on grindcore and powerviolence bands. The LP was released by Deep Six Records. A limited edition box set of 7 7" records was released in January 2009. The album features 14 bands, 51 tracks and has a total running time of 57 minutes and 4 seconds. The album was compiled by Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer/Agoraphobic Nosebleed fame.

<i>Agorapocalypse</i> 2009 studio album by Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Agorapocalypse is the fourth full-length studio album by American grindcore band Agoraphobic Nosebleed (ANb). It was released through Relapse Records on April 14, 2009, in the United States, and April 20 internationally. The album was recorded by ANb's guitarist Scott Hull at his Visceral Sound studios; Hull also wrote the drum parts using Toontrack's Drumkit from Hell in his digital audio workstation. This is also the band's only album with vocalist Katherine Katz. Agorapocalypse's cover artwork was designed by German illustrator Florian Bertmer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magrudergrind</span> Washington, D.C. grindcore band

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<i>Arc</i> (EP) 2016 EP by Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Arc is an EP by Agoraphobic Nosebleed, featuring vocalist Kat Katz. It was released on 22 January 2016 via Relapse Records. It is the first in a 4-part series of EPs representing each individual member of the band's vision and influence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Despise You</span> American powerviolence band

Despise You are an American powerviolence band from Inglewood, California, formed in 1994. The group is noted for helping influencing the powerviolence movement and for their bleak lyrics about topics such as gang violence, misanthropy, and self-hate. The band was known for being mysterious during their initial run; they often used pseudonyms in their liner notes and they never played live shows until their reformation in 2007. They have been described as "the angriest band in the world" by some.

<i>And on and On...</i> 2011 studio album by Despise You and Agoraphobic Nosebleed

And on and On... is a split album by powerviolence band Despise You and grindcore band Agoraphobic Nosebleed. It was released on April 26, 2011, through Relapse Records. It includes the first material written by Despise You since their 2007 reformation.

Enemy Soil was an American grindcore band from Sterling, Virginia, first formed in 1991. The band played a style of grindcore that was influenced heavily by hardcore punk, and featured many line-up changes throughout its run, with frontman Richard Johnson acting as its core. Because the group initially was unable to find a suitable drummer, earlier Enemy Soil recordings featured a drum machine. The group's music was also politically-motivated early in their career, however later recordings instead featured introspective topics for lyrics.

<i>Head Cage</i> 2018 studio album by Pig Destroyer

Head Cage is the sixth studio album by American grindcore band Pig Destroyer. The album was released on September 7, 2018 through Relapse Records. The album features vocal cameos from Richard Johnson and Kat Katz from Agoraphobic Nosebleed, along with Dylan Walker from Full of Hell.

References

  1. York, William. "Agoraphobic Nosebleed". Allmusic . Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  2. "AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  3. "Decibel Flexi Series". Decibelmagazine.com. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  4. Rosenberg, Axl (January 6, 2014). "...And Now Here's an Update on Agoraphobic Nosebleed's Upcoming Albums". MetalSucks . Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  5. "Kat Katz". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. "Agoraphobic Nosebleed". Facebook.com. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  7. Norton, Justin M. "Agoraphobic Nosebleed Agorapocalypse Review". About.com: Heavy Metal. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  8. Atkins, Chris (22 February 2016). "Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Arc [EP]". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2023-04-21.