Ne Obliviscaris (band)

Last updated

Ne Obliviscaris
Ne Obliviscaris, Live in Tokyo 2015.jpg
Ne Obliviscaris performing in Tokyo in 2015
Background information
Origin Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Years active2003–present
Labels Season of Mist
MembersTim Charles
Marc "Xenoyr" Campbell
Matt Klavins
Benjamin Baret
Martino Garattoni
Kevin Paradis
Past membersNelson Barnes
Corey King
Corey Baker
Sherri-Jesse
Adam Boddy
Adam Cooper
Brendan "Cygnus" Brown
Daniel Presland

Ne Obliviscaris (Latin for "forget not"; Clan Campbell motto) is a six-piece Australian progressive metal band from Melbourne. Formed initially as a four-piece in April 2003, [3] the group was founded by Marc "Xenoyr" Campbell and Adam Cooper. The current line-up comprises vocalist Xenoyr, violinist and clean vocalist Tim Charles, guitarists Matt Klavins and Benjamin Baret, bassist Martino Garattoni and drummer Dan Presland. To date, the band has released a demo, two extended plays and four studio albums. Their most recent album, Exul , was released on 24 March 2023.

Contents

History

Formation and early years

Ne Obliviscaris were formed in April 2003 by vocalist Xenoyr and bassist Adam Cooper, later adding a second guitarist and a female soprano. Current vocalist/violinist Tim Charles followed in September 2003. The band went through a number of line-up changes before releasing an independent demo, The Aurora Veil, in 2007. The demo featured three songs which would later appear on their debut album. Their music, whilst being firmly rooted in extreme metal, shows influences from a range of musical styles, including death, black, thrash and melodic metal, as well as classical, jazz, avant-garde and flamenco. [4]

Drummer Dan Presland left the band in early 2010 shortly after recording his parts for the bands debut album 'Portal of I' and was eventually replaced by Nelson Barnes in early 2012. However, due to the distance between Queensland and Melbourne, Ne Obliviscaris parted ways with Barnes [5] and Presland's return to the band was announced on 24 August 2012.

Portal of I (2012–2014)

Released 7 May 2012, [6] Portal of I was the first full-length album by the band. The release of the album was delayed due to the departure of their guitarist, Corey King, in 2007 [7] and the search for a replacement. [8] Benjamin Baret later joined as the lead guitarist, but was subject to lengthy delays in his visa application process. [9]

The album received generally positive reviews [10] [11] [12] with Metal Injection praising the composition and the musicianship of the album. [13]

The band toured in support of the album, which took them overseas for the first time, [14] with the band playing in Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand. [15] They were also the headlining act for Progfest 2012 around Australia. [16]

And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope from Portal of I was included in a teaching curriculum at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the song being analysed for its composition. [17]

Citadel and Brown controversy (2014–2017)

Recorded during 2013, [18] Citadel was released through Seasons of Mist on 7 November 2014. The album reached number 42 on the ARIA Albums Chart. [19]

The album was generally well received, [20] [21] with Metal Hammer giving it a four out of five rating. [22] Metal Injection again praised the complexity of the arrangements. [23]

In June 2014, the band announced a crowdfunding campaign [24] to support a world tour with an initial target of $40,000 AUD. This target was reached in just two days, [25] reaching a final figure of $86,132 AUD and breaking the Australian record for crowd-funding in the process. [26]

The subsequent world tour saw Ne Obliviscaris return to Asia supporting Fleshgod Apocalypse as well as their first tours of Europe, the UK and North America where they supported British band, Cradle of Filth. They also played in India for the first time, where they headlined the B-School of Rock at the Unmaad Festival in Bangalore. [27]

In July 2016, the band began a headlining tour of North America. [28] with headlining shows in the U.K and Ireland following in October 2016 with Atlanta-based band Oceans of Slumber as support. Also announced were further European tour supporting Enslaved between September and November 2016, [29] and headline shows in Australia at the end of November and beginning of December 2016. [30]

On 26 January 2017, the band released longtime bassist Brendan "Cygnus" Brown following allegations of domestic violence. Although they initially gave "irreconcilable personal differences" as the reason, they later explained that it was due in part to the allegations, but also because they believed that Brown needed help. Following accusations from a website that the band knew about Brown's violent behaviour and had been hiding it for years, the band explained that they were only aware of a domestic incident between Brown and his mother six years prior, and, after discovering the truth, immediately tried to get Brown to get help, and relieved him of his services to the band. [31] Brown confirmed both the allegations and the band's statement to be true, adding that being released made him "realize the extent of damage I have caused to people over the years and how badly I need to get help to get my life back on track." He also stated that he had been physically and sexually abused by his mother since childhood, and that the trauma, which caused mental health disorders and ended in drug abuse, made him "an unpredictable character at times, and I have lashed out at people close to me both physically and verbally. I am deeply sorry to anybody that has been victim to this inexcusable behaviour". He also explained that the domestic violence incident with his mother six years prior was him fighting her back for the first time, and that he had not spoken to her since despite his mother harassing both him, his girlfriend, and the band on several occasions, which had led them to complain to the police. [31]

Urn and Exul (2017–present)

On 26 July 2017, the band announced that their new album, Urn , would be released on 27 October 2017, and released a music video for the track "Intra Venus". [32] They also announced Robin Zielhorst, former member of Cynic, Exivious, and Our Oceans, as their session bassist for the album. On 29 August 2017, they released another song from the album, "Urn (Part I) – And Within the Void We Are Breathless". [33] On 10 October 2017, they released another song, "Urn (Part II) – As Embers Dance In Our Eyes". [34] Urn released on 27 October 2017, though it had been released to Patreon contributors a few days earlier.

On 22 June 2019 it was announced that the band's track, Intra Venus won the 2018 Independent Music Award for Best Metal / Hardcore song. [35]

On 31 December 2019, their publisher Season of Mist announced that they would be releasing a new album in 2020, [36] which was later delayed to 2021, and then 2022 [37] due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. [38]

At Hellfest, France, in June 2024 Neobliviscaris 1 - HellFest 2024 - Altar - 28jun2024.png
At Hellfest, France, in June 2024

On 7 July 2022, the band announced on Facebook that the recording for their new album had been finished. [39] On 1 December 2022, the band announced their fourth album, Exul, would be released on 24 March 2023. [40] The first single from the album, "Equus", was released on 6 December 2022, alongside an accompanying music video. [41]

Use of crowdfunding

In addition to the campaign to fund their world tour, the band announced in March 2016 that they were starting a subscription based service through the Patreon micro-payments platform. This was in part inspired by Thy Art is Murder frontman, CJ McMahon, quitting the band for financial reasons. [42] The decision to use Patreon generated some controversy on social media platforms to which vocalist and violinist Tim Charles responded. [43]

Band members

Current line-up

Previous members

Guest/session musicians

Timeline

Ne Obliviscaris (band)

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Behemoth (band)</span> Polish extreme metal band

Behemoth is a Polish extreme metal band from Gdańsk, formed in 1991. They are considered to have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal underground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Reinert</span> American drummer (1971–2020)

Sean Landon Reinert was an American musician. He was the drummer for the rock band Æon Spoke and the drummer and cofounder of the progressive metal band Cynic along with Paul Masvidal until leaving the band in September 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lacuna Coil</span> Italian gothic metal band

Lacuna Coil is an Italian gothic metal band from Milan. Since their formation in 1994, the group has had two name changes, being previously known as Sleep of Right and Ethereal, and they have recorded nine studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, two compilation albums, one video album, and sixteen singles and music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark Tranquillity</span> Swedish melodic death metal band

Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are considered one of the pioneering acts of the Gothenburg metal scene, which also includes bands such as In Flames and At the Gates - regarded as the Gothenburg fathers in the film entitled Out of Nothing: A DT Documentary released by Century Media, which was filmed in their home town in April 2009. After a nearly three-decade long collaboration of four founding members frequent lineup changes between 2016 and 2021 have left only vocalist Mikael Stanne as an original member, together with long-time keyboardist Martin Brändström.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machine Head (band)</span> American heavy metal band

Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Robb Flynn, who remains the only original member of the band. Machine Head's aggressive musicianship made it one of the pioneering bands in the new wave of American heavy metal. Its current lineup comprises Flynn, bassist Jared MacEachern and drummer Matt Alston. Bassist Adam Duce, lead guitarists Logan Mader, Ahrue Luster and Phil Demmel, and drummers Tony Costanza, Chris Kontos and Dave McClain are former members of the band; Mader and Kontos toured with the band in 2019 and 2020 as part of the 25th anniversary tour for its first album, Burn My Eyes (1994).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenged Sevenfold</span> American heavy metal band

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enslaved (band)</span> Norwegian extreme metal band

Enslaved is a Norwegian extreme metal band formed by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson in Haugesund in 1991. They are currently based in Bergen. The band's lineup has changed many times over the years, and Bjørnson and Kjellson have been the sole constant members. The current lineup also includes lead guitarist Arve Isdal, keyboardist/singer Håkon Vinje, and drummer Iver Sandøy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Harrison</span> English musician

Gavin Richard Harrison is an English musician. He is best known for playing with the progressive rock bands Porcupine Tree, King Crimson and The Pineapple Thief (2016–present). Harrison's drumming has received many awards from music publications and earned praise from other musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norma Jean (band)</span> American metalcore band

Norma Jean is an American metalcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Since their inception in 1997, numerous lineup changes have left the band with no original members. To date, Norma Jean has released nine studio albums and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2006 for Best Recording Package for their second album O' God, the Aftermath. The band's name is derived from the real name of actress Marilyn Monroe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitechapel (band)</span> American deathcore band

Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band is named after the Whitechapel district in East London, England, where Jack the Ripper committed a series of murders. The group comprises vocalist Phil Bozeman, guitarists Ben Savage, Alex Wade, and Zach Householder, bassist Gabe Crisp and drummer Brandon Zackey. Founded in 2006 by Bozeman and Savage, the band has released eight studio albums and fourteen music videos, and it's currently signed to Metal Blade Records. Whitechapel's 2010 album A New Era of Corruption, sold around 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at position No. 43 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled fourth album was released in 2012 and debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200, selling roughly 9,200 copies in its first week. In 2014 the band released their fifth full-length album, Our Endless War to generally positive reviews. The album sold roughly 16,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. They released their sixth full-length album Mark of the Blade in 2016 to greater critical acclaim, selling roughly 8,000 copies in the first week of its release. In 2019, Whitechapel released their seventh album, The Valley, which debuted at No. 143 on the Billboard 200 also to critical acclaim. Their newest album, Kin, was released on October 29, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Fight Dragons</span> American rock band

I Fight Dragons is an American chiptune-based rock band from Chicago. Their music is a combination of rock with chiptune, featuring electronic sounds made using Nintendo Game Boys and Nintendo Entertainment Systems, a genre also known as Nintendocore. To date they have released four full-length albums: 2011's KABOOM!, which came out on Photo Finish / Atlantic Records, 2014's The Near Future, which they self-released after raising over $100,000 on Kickstarter through their "Project Atma" project, 2019's Canon Eyes, and 2021's Side Quests: B-Sides and Rarities. They have also released two EPs, 2009's Cool Is Just a Number and 2010's Welcome to the Breakdown. Their music has been featured on Nintendo Video as well as on the WWE, and they wrote and performed the theme song for ABC's The Goldbergs. They have toured the US with MC Chris and Whole Wheat Bread in 2009, 3OH!3, Cobra Starship, and Travie McCoy in 2010, The Protomen in 2011, and they were on the entire 2012 and 2014 Vans Warped Tours. They went on their first national headlining tour, "The War of Cyborg Liberation Tour", with openers MC Lars and Skyfox in 2012. From 2010 until 2012 they were signed to Photo Finish / Atlantic Records, but in fall 2012 they won their release from the label. Since 2014, they have toured sporadically as well as playing annual headlining shows at Chicago's Lincoln Hall. Frontman Brian Mazzaferri attended Glenbrook South High School with Fall Out Boy lead vocalist and guitarist Patrick Stump.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falling in Reverse</span> American rock band

Falling in Reverse is an American rock band that formed in 2008 by lead vocalist Ronnie Radke. The band's original name was "From Behind These Walls", but it was quickly renamed to Falling in Reverse shortly after formation. They are currently signed to Epitaph Records. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Radke being the only remaining original member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allegaeon</span> American metal band

Allegaeon is an American technical melodic death metal band from Fort Collins, Colorado, formed in 2008. They have released one EP and six studio albums and are currently signed to Metal Blade Records.

<i>Portal of I</i> 2012 studio album by Ne Obliviscaris

Portal of I is the debut studio album by Australian progressive metal band Ne Obliviscaris. It was released on May 7, 2012, via Code666 Records.

<i>Citadel</i> (Ne Obliviscaris album) 2014 studio album by Ne Obliviscaris

Citadel is the second studio album by Australian progressive metal band Ne Obliviscaris. It was released worldwide on 7 November 2014 and November 11 in North America, marking their first release through Season of Mist records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Crown Initiate</span> American metal band

Black Crown Initiate is an American extreme metal band from Reading, Pennsylvania, United States, currently signed to Century Media. The band formed in 2012 and self-released their first EP Song of the Crippled Bull, which was met with positive reviews. They began touring in early 2014 with fellow extreme metal bands such as Goatwhore, Behemoth, and 1349; this led to them being signed by eOne Music in June 2014. With eOne, they released both The Wreckage of Stars, released on September 30, 2014, and Selves We Cannot Forgive, released on July 22, 2016. Their third studio album, Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape, was released with Century Media on August 7, 2020.

<i>Delirium</i> (Lacuna Coil album) 2016 studio album by Lacuna Coil

Delirium is the eighth studio album by Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil. It was released by Century Media Records on 27 May 2016. This is the first album to not feature long time drummer Cristiano "Criz" Mozzati, rhythm guitarist Cristiano "Pizza" Migliore, who retired from the band on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2014, and lead guitarist Marco "Maus" Biazzi, who left the band just before recording sessions, making it the first album since their debut to feature other band members, and the first one completely recorded and mixed in Italy.

<i>Urn</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Ne Obliviscaris

Urn is the third studio album by Australian progressive metal band Ne Obliviscaris, released on 27 October 2017 via Season of Mist. It was released to Patreon contributors a few days earlier. It is the first album not to feature former bassist Brendan "Cygnus" Brown, who left the band in early 2017 due to his allegations of domestic violence. Robin Zielhorst, former member of Cynic and Exivious, was recruited as their session bassist for the album.

<i>Exul</i> 2023 studio album by Ne Obliviscaris

Exul is the fourth studio album by Australian progressive metal band Ne Obliviscaris. It was released on 24 March 2023 by Season of Mist. The first single from the album, "Equus", was released on 6 December 2022, alongside an accompanying music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Omnific</span> Australian progressive instrumental trio

The Omnific are an Australian two-bass-one-drummer instrumental progressive metal band from Melbourne, formed in 2016. The band currently consists of bassist Matt Fackrell, bassist Toby Peterson-Stewart and drummer Jerome Lematua. The Omnific have released two studio albums, three EP's and two standalone singles. The band's latest album, Escapades (2021), reached number 3 on the Australian AIR Charts.

References

  1. Nate (25 November 2014). "Album Review: NE OBLIVISCARIS Citadel". Metal Injection. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  2. Kennelty, Greg (20 August 2014). "Prog Masters NE OBLIVISCARIS Will Release Citadel This November". Metal Injection. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  3. "INTERVIEW: XENOYR FROM NE OBLIVISCARIS". Groundcast.com.br. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  4. "Album Reviews : Ne Obliviscaris – The Aurora Veil". Metalobsession.com. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  5. "Interview: Dan Presland of Ne Obliviscaris". Echoesanddust.com. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  6. "Portal of I – Ne Obliviscaris". Metal-archives.com. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  7. "NE OBLIVISCARIS Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. 3 June 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  8. "Ne Obliviscaris (Xenoyr)". Noisefull.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  9. "Interview with Benjamin Baret by Prog Metal Zone". Progmetalzone.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  10. "NO CLEAN SINGING » NE OBLIVISCARIS: "PORTAL OF I"". Nocleansinging.com. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  11. "Ne Obliviscaris Portal of I". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  12. "Ne Obliviscaris: Portal Of I (Review/Kritik) - Album-Rezension (Progressive Extreme Metal)". Musikreviews.de. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  13. "CD Review: NE OBLIVISCARIS – Portal Of I". Metalinjection.net. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  14. "Interview with Dan Presland from Ne Obliviscaris". Metal-temple.com. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  15. "Portal of I Asian Tour 2013". Metalstorm.net. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  16. "News : Progfest 2012 dates announced; Ne Obliviscaris headlining all shows". Metalobsession.net. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  17. "NE OBLIVISCARIS". Seasons-of-mist.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  18. "Ne Obliviscaris: If you want to think while you bang your head, this is the band for you". Newnoisemagazine.com/. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  19. The ARIA Report, Issue 1291
  20. "Album Reviews : Ne Obliviscaris – Citadel". Metalobsession.net. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  21. "Ne Obliviscaris' Citadel: Another Helping of Jewel-Encrusted Sorcerer-Elephant Metal". Metalsucks.net. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  22. "Citadel: Ne Obliviscaris Album Review" . Teamrock.com. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  23. "Album Review: NE OBLIVISCARIS Citadel". Metalinjection.net. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  24. "Ne Obliviscaris WORLD TOUR by Tim Charles, Xen and Dan Presland". Pozible.com. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  25. "Ne Obliviscaris Crowd-Funded $40,000 For a Full World Tour in Just Two Days". Metalsucks.net. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  26. "World Domination: Interview with Tim Charles". Themusic.com.au. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  27. "Ne Obliviscaris to headline iim bangalores b school of rock 2015". Headbangers.in. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  28. "Ne Obliviscaris Prepares For North American Headlining Tour Dates". Metalunderground.com. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  29. "Tue, Jun 28 2016: NE OBLIVISCARIS". Season-of-mist.com. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  30. "Ne Obliviscaris announce The World Their Canvas Australian tour for this November/December". Metalobsession.net. September 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  31. 1 2 "NE OBLIVISCARIS Let Its Bassist Go Due To Allegations of Domestic Violence". Metal Injection. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  32. Season of Mist (26 July 2017). "Ne Obliviscaris - Intra Venus (official music video)". YouTube . Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  33. "Ne Obliviscaris - Urn (Part I) - And Within the Void We Are Breathless (official premiere)". YouTube. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  34. Season of Mist (10 October 2017). "Ne Obliviscaris - Urn (Part II) - As Embers Dance In Our Eyes (official premiere)". YouTube . Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  35. "The 17th Independent Music Awards Winners - Independent Music Awards". Archived from the original on 28 June 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  36. Season of Mist (31 December 2019). "Season of Mist on Instagram: "We've had a spectacular 2019 with amazi…". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020. We're looking forward to 2020 with exciting new albums from (among others):…Ne Obliviscaris…
  37. Xenoyr (23 May 2020). "X E N on Instagram: "Looking forward to touring again - We're (NeO) working on plans currently in anticipation of our now 2021 release (providing travel won't…"". Instagram.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020. Looking forward to touring again - We're (NeO) working on plans currently in anticipation of our now 2021 release (providing travel won't be an issue).
  38. Ne Obliviscaris (9 April 2020). "Ne Obliviscaris on Instagram: "We hope everyone is safe. Short update for those unaware; since we're spread across three countries due to lockdown/isolation restrictions…"". Instagram.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.  Short update for those unaware; since we're spread across three countries due to lockdown/isolation restrictions the album recording has been delayed…
  39. Ne Obliviscaris (7 July 2022). "IT'S DONE". Facebook.
  40. Jerry Ewing (1 December 2022). "Ne Obliviscaris return with new album and European tour". Louder. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  41. "NE OBLIVISCARIS unveil first new song "Equus" from upcoming album 'Exul'". Arrow Lord of Metal. 7 December 2022.
  42. "Ne Obliviscaris's Patreon Campaign Was Partially Inspired By CJ Quitting Thy Art Is Murder". Musicfeeds.com.au. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  43. "Ne Obliviscaris violinist responds to Patreon criticism". Killyourstereo.com. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  44. Left the band in January 2022 but recorded drums for Exul prior to departing.
  45. "Ne Obliviscaris on Facebook: "Dan has been an absolute rock..."". Facebook.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  46. "Ne Obliviscaris on Instagram: "CITADEL 10th Anniversary Remaster & Dan Presland Returns On Drums"". Instagram.com. Retrieved 31 July 2024.