History & Biography Divine Rapture, a Pennsylvania death metal band, appeared in 1995. A tape called Demo I was released in 1996 and featured the playing of the duo. Another tape followed. The next release would be a three-song 2001 demo. This marked the beginning of a series of recordings with former Morbid Angel guitarist Erik Rutan.
The band was formed by J.J. and Mike and at various times included many drummers including future Malevolent Creation man Justin DiPinto and Graphic Violence's Dave Chedrick. The band played at Milwaukee Metalfest 2001 without a drummer. Apparently there was a last-minute problem with their then drummer who either was unable or unwilling to fly to Milwaukee for the performance. The band performed without him.
The band had a split-CD in 2002 with Hatred and would also appear on several tribute CDs, including one to their biggest influence, Morbid Angel. A three-song demo, produced by Erik Rutan, lead to a deal with Listenable Records. Due to producer Erik Rutan’s busy schedule, Divine Rapture instead entered Dimensional Sound Studio in May to record its album in 2002. The band was also appearing on a Morbid Angel covers’ CD due from Hellspawn Records. The Americans' second full-length was issued by the French label in September of 2003. This album was mixed and mastered by the band's own Davodian at Transcend Studio in New York and engineered by Aurora Borealis' Ron Vento at Nightsky Studio in Maryland. Drums for these releases were played by J.J. The man was also recruited to fill in on bass guitar on Hate Eternal’s European tour in 2008.
Mike Hrubovcak is a graphics’ artist.
Reviews DIVINE RAPTURE - THE BURNING PASSION - LISTENABLE
Admittedly, listening to and reviewing a band inspired by the complexities and intricacies of Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal is not an easy matter. The Pennsylvania-based techno-death combo Divine Rapture patterns itself after the aforementioned bands. The playing ability, technical riffing, rattling bass drums and extraterrestrial rhythm changes are par for the course then. Having said that, the quartet throws in the odd mood-breaker. Be it the fuzzy instrumental The Deifying, The Sorrow, The Awakening or the longer-than-necessary intros and outros, Divine Rapture can show a penchant for boring the listener with its filler tracks. Then again, the aforementioned proficiency, the cloned Morbid Angel rhythm on Funeral Mist or the raging bass on No Future, No Past are at least interesting to absorb. Were the band to drop the filler tracks, the odd backing vocals and concentrate a little more on differentiating itself from its mentors, Listenable and the members can take things to the next level. This is a big mandate, but well worth the effort for Divine Rapture. - Ali "The Metallian"
Interviews
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