Earthen Grave | |
|---|---|
 Rachel Barton Pine on electric violin | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Thrash metal, doom metal |
| Years active | 2008–2014 |
| Website | earthengrave |
| Past members | Mark Weiner Rachel Barton Pine Tony Spillman Jason Muxlow Ron Holzner Scott Davidson Chris Wozniak |
Earthen Grave was an American thrash/doom metal band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2008, featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine.
Earthen Grave was founded late in 2008, as Jason Muxlow was working on a new album for The Living Fields, listening to a lot of Saint Vitus (an '80s doom metal band) and writing down various doom metal guitar riffs. Looking for who might be able to play this style of music with him, Muxlow reached out to drummer Scott Davidson, General Manager of Chicago's WPJX 'Rebel Radio' heavy metal radio station, [1] and "things just snowballed.” [2]
They then enlisted bassist Ron Holzner, formerly of Trouble, [3] to help with this new project. Muxlow says of the first jam as a trio, “The first rehearsal was tough, but after we sorted out some issues with downtuning, things really jelled.” [2]
The trio put out a classified ad on craigslist.org looking for a vocalist, [4] and Mark Weiner responded the very next day. [2]
Davidson, who had known violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine for many years through the Chicago metal scene, invited her to a rehearsal. Until this point in her career, Barton Pine had played only on a traditional acoustic violin, but participated in the band rehearsal using her new amplified six-string "Viper", an extended-range instrument related to the electric violin invented by Mark Wood. [4] The band invited Barton Pine to join them shortly thereafter. [5]
Tony Spillman was the final member to join Earthen Grave, having previously worked with such bands as Ministry, Prong, and Trouble.
In early June 2009, the band spent a weekend Farview Recording in St. Charles, IL and recorded their first demo, Dismal Times. [5]
On the evening of July 11, 2010, Earthen Grave performed at Chicago's Millennium Park as part of the Great Performers of Illinois celebration. [6] [7]
In January 2011, the band was named the "2010 Best New Entertainer" at the Chicago Music Awards. [8]
On September 22, 2014 it was announced that Earthen Grave had disbanded. [9]
After releasing their demo EP, the band received promising attention from even mainstream media, and performed live on NBC's "Today" program on September 25, 2009 [10] [11] following a profile segment focusing on Barton Pine.
The band also received a short profile on the Chicago Reader's The List ("Critics' Choices and other notable concerts") by local music critic Monica Kendrick, specifically noting the unique sound brought to the group by Barton Pine's violin. [12]
The band was also broadcast live December 16, 2009, on WGN-TV's "Midday News" program. [13] [14]
Besides the level of media coverage unusual for the genre, the young Earthen Grave had, as of January 2010, already opened for some big names of metal, such as Megadeth, Pentagram and Anvil.
Last known lineup
Earlier members
Schizophrenia is the second studio album by Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura, released on October 30, 1987 by Cogumelo Records. It is the first album for the band with Andreas Kisser. The album's sound leans more towards the death/thrash metal genre than the previous album Morbid Visions, which is stylistically closer to black metal. All songs were recorded during August 1987, except for the bonus track "Troops of Doom" which was recorded during August 26–27, 1990.
The Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major, Op. 46, is a composition for violin and orchestra by Max Bruch. Completed in 1880, it was dedicated to the virtuoso violinist Pablo de Sarasate.
Turn Loose the Swans is the second album by the British doom metal band My Dying Bride, released in 1994.
Novembers Doom is an American death-doom band from Chicago, currently signed to Prophecy Productions. Along with Evoken and Rigor Sardonicous, Novembers Doom is one of the earliest American death-doom bands still active today.
David Schrader is an American harpsichordist, organist, and fortepianist. He is a professor at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where he teaches music history and conducts chamber music ensembles. Schrader was the organist at Church of the Ascension, Chicago for 35 years.
Minnie "Maud" Powell was an American violinist who gained international acclaim for her skill and virtuosity.
Trouble is the self-titled fourth studio album by American doom metal band Trouble, released in 1990. It was the band's first release via the label Def American.
Manic Frustration is the fifth studio album by American doom metal band Trouble, released in June 1992. The album marked a change in style toward a faster-paced, psychedelic sound; as opposed to the slower, doom metal style on their previous albums. It was the band's last release via the label Def American.
While Heaven Wept was an American epic doom metal band based in Dale City, Virginia, United States. The primary writer and overall engine of the band was mainman Tom Phillips. Their melodic, classically influenced style could be compared to bands such as Solitude Aeturnus and Solstice ; however, 2003's acclaimed Of Empires Forlorn saw the band branching out into a variety of metal and progressive styles. This trend continues on their 2009 album, Vast Oceans Lachrymose, and on their 2011 album, Fear of Infinity.
Place of Skulls is an American doom metal band from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Rachel Barton Pine is an American violinist. She debuted with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, and was the first American and youngest ever gold medal winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. The Washington Post wrote that she "displays a power and confidence that puts her in the top echelon."
Debris Inc. was an American doom metal/punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, active between 2001 and 2008.
Kimberley Dahme is a rock/country music singer and songwriter who is best known as a former member of the rock band Boston. She played rhythm guitar, bass, and provided vocals.
Paul August Kuhr, III,, is an American musician, vocalist, lyricist, author, and graphic designer. He is the singer and founding member for the band Novembers Doom.
A Storm of Light is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 2008.
Aphotic is the eighth studio album by the heavy metal band Novembers Doom. It was released in 2011 on The End Records. The album has a more progressive death metal feel to it than the band's standard death-doom sound.
Kauan is an atmospheric doom metal/post-rock band from Chelyabinsk, Russia formed in 2005.
Acid Witch is an American heavy metal band formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 2007. They released their first album, Witchtanic Hellucinations, in 2008 on Razorback Records. The band then released two EPs, Witch House in 2009 and Midnight Mass in 2010. The band released their second album, Stoned, in 2010, on Hells Headbangers. In 2012, Witchtanic Hellucinations was re-released on Hells Headbangers.
Grave Forsaken is an Australian Christian metal band, where they primarily play thrash metal, death metal, and doom metal styles of music. They come from Perth, Western Australia. The band started making music in 2004. They have released five studio albums, and they have recorded two extended plays, in their tenure.
