With influences by classic eighties metal bands such as; Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Sodom, and Destruction, to name a few, Vital Remains quickly brought themselves into what would become a vicious onslaught of the underground Death Metal scene.
The band was formed in 1989 in Providence, Rhode Island by Guitarists Paul Flynn and Tony Lazaro, Vocalist Jeff Gruslin, and Bassist Tom Supkow. Their first demo, of the same year, 'Reduced to Ashes', sold some 500 copies in two weeks, proving the bands worth in the underground. In 1990, after six months of extensive live shows and rehearsing, the band recorded their second demo entitled 'Excruciating Pain'.
The second demo gained them interest from the French label, Thrash Records. They entered the studio in November, of 1990 to record the 7" 'The Black Mass'. Selling 1500 pressings in two weeks after being released, Vital Remains became the most profitable band on the label. Shortly after hearing about the success of 'The Black Mass', the band gained interest from Peaceville Records.
In the summer of 1991 Vital signed to Peaceville's sub label Deaf Records. They soon began writing new material and in December of 1991, the band recorded the Legendary Cult album, 'Let Us Pray'. Released in 1992, the album gained alot of attention in the early underground. Sending sales to a higher level than any of the previous bands' work, selling 4,000+ copies in the first year alone in the US. Tour promoters quickly became interested in the band.
In May of 1993, the band got a Major US tour with the Legends of Death Metal, Autopsy. The tour lasted from May 'til July and was considered a total success.
In 1994 the band entered the studio to record their second full length album, 'Into Cold Darkness'. This album was put out through Peaceville/Music for Nations. Unfortunately, due to poor distrobution and lack of good promotion from the label, the band asked to be let go from the contract.
In 1996, the band signed with the French label, Osmose for two albums. That year they recorded the now called 'Masterpiece Of Death Metal', by many, 'Forever Underground'. This album brought the band to Europe in which they played to the much anticipating fans all throughout the European countries. The tour was a total success and the band sold out of all their merchandise. A return home to the US put them on tour twice with Incantation.
In 1999, the band returned to the studio to record their 'Dawn of the Apocalypse' album. This was Vital Remains HEAVIEST opus to date. Showing no remorse, but extreme hatred, for the lies of Christianity. When asked, 'where is your coward god now?' He said, 'he would show in 2000'. Well, the band was fully aware that this coward bastard would never show his face, as he has no power over us..... THIS was the fuel for the album as far as lyrics where concerned. They based it on the Apocalyptic messages of the bible. This album set Vital Remains to a higher level in the Underground.
And now, here, in the year of 2001, after the foolish ones' god failed to show, after many a line-up changes, with brutal force; Vital Remains will continue to bring to the table nothing less than Barbaric WAR-Metal the way it was meant to be; FAST, BRUTAL, AND VERY TASTEFUL!
The band are on their way to recording yet another masterpiece. You can look forward to seeing a new release in the fall.
Source: http://www.vitalremains.cjb.com/
