History & Biography This Seattle gore metal band was initially called Plague Bearer (which recorded a demo called Bubonic Death) and only changed monikers halfway through the 1990's. Kelly was first in Plague Bearer, but Matt and Herb were part of the founding line-up with the new monicker. The band released a self-titled demo, appeared on the Eat The Evidence sampler from New York's Mortal Coil Records before signing with Moribund Records. Plague Bearer was resurrected later as Kuciemba's side-project.
The band issued the Crusaders of Blasphemy MCD in 2002 and lost Cason to his side-project. Return Of The Black Death had a production courtesy of The Autopsy Room and was released in late 2004. Hail Infernal Darkness appeared in February, 2006. The band had signed to Moribund for two new albums in the previous year. The first 3,000 copies of Merciless Hammer Of Lucifer featured bonus material from a cancelled 2003 split 7”, demo material and a 2002 promo called Crusaders Of Blasphemy. The band announced a mini US tour for the spring of 2008 with Satan’s Host. Burke took over the bass in 2009.
Back On Black released a box set of the band's first five albums in 2023. It was called Implements Of Hell. The band was playing Never Surrender Festival in Germany in 2023. The band was to open a concert for Nunslaughter and Possessed in autumn of 2023 when the tour was cancelled mid-way. Official reason: Possessed's tour bus broke down. Vomit Records hurled forth Decompositions Of The Flesh, which was a Drawn And Quartered and Ravenous Death split in February 2024.
Reviews DRAWN AND QUARTERED - RETURN OF THE BLACK DEATH - MORIBUND
Drawn And Quartered believes its pure and relentless death metal is part of the resurgence and re-elevation of the sub-genre, hence the album's title. While one may not share the band's prognosis of the metal scene, there is no questioning the band's commitment to the extremism of its music or its ability to put together death metal songs with as much elegance as a shower of razor blades. If Drawn And Quartered knows one thing that is to write songs that combine speed, heaviness and brutality. The band maintains full power during blasting moments, while the rhythms cut a trail of pain and mayhem. The vocals are deep and forbidding and the bass guitar, well just listen to them all over this great album and especially on Wiped From The Earth. Otherwise, songs after song here is a sure-fire winner with the closing song, Return Of The Black Death, probably taking the putrid cake. This can generally be described as a cross between Cannibal Corpse and Incantation, but D&Q sure holds its own and more. It sure is a pleasure having this music flow in the great halls at Metallian Towers. - Ali "The Metallian"
DRAWN AND QUARTERED - HAIL INFERNAL DARKNESS - MORIBUND 
It was well over ten years ago when many a scene pundit (including industry types running labels until this day) concluded and loudly proclaimed that death metal has died. Someone forgot to tell Drawn And Quartered. Judging by Hail Infernal Darkness the bands is still at it recording killer death metal (forgive the redundancy) much to the chagrin of all the magazines, labels and 'journalists' who would be much more comfortable schmoozing at parties with In Flames or flying overseas to chat with Cradle Of Filth.
The band’s approach owes much to Incantation and, to a lesser degree, Immolation and early Morbid Angel. The ferocity, strength-of-purpose and sound qualities (or lack thereof depending on your perspective) of Incantation are here, as are the madness and lead work of Trey Azagthoth in his prime. The band has many nuances, melodic interludes and such, but the core of the band’s offering is head shattering, heart-pumping speedy massacres like Nightghoul Of The Graveyards. This album does not let up. Track title of the month: Escape To Cremation! - Ali “The Metallian”
DRAWN AND QUARTERED - MERCILESS HAMMER OF LUCIFER - MORIBUND
Holy Hell! Another crushing instrument of destruction from Drawn And Quartered. Not deviating from its predecessor’s love for Immolation and Incantation, the bestial band remains true to the cause of uncontaminated death metal that alternately crushes in slow motion and lurches into hyper speedy bursts of anger. The band’s conviction is on record song after song, note after note, deathly growl after growl with nary a hint of slowing down. The blasting drums, incessant guitar screeches and distorted bass are a fist in the face of the weak and the wary.
It is always gratifying to find dedicated groups such as Drowned And Quartered who practice their art without hope of financial gain or reward. Fuck originality. Get Drawn And Quartered if you dare and, as a bonus, revel in the included videos. - Ali “The Metallian”
Interviews
|
