Grendel (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Grendel


Img_capt =
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagcountry|Netherlands
Genre = Aggrotech
Years_active = 1997-present
Label = NoiTekk
Metropolis Records
Infacted Recordings
Associated_acts = Muscle And Hate
XP8
URL = [http://www.grendel-base.com www.grendel-base.com]
Current_members = M4RC
Marco Visconti
VLRK
Past_members = FLRS
Notable_instruments =

Grendel is a Dutch music group formed from a prior name dating back to 1997. Their name originates from Beowulf. [ [http://www.grendel-base.com/ Grendels main site] retrieved August 2006] .

Biography

The beginning

In the early part of 2000 the first promo CD was released which included the Dutch dance floor hit 'Strangers'. Within a very short period of time the promo was being played at many locations throughout the Netherlands and internationally (a.o. in Germany, Belgium and Spain).

Soon after this, Grendel started receiving requests for live gigs and [FLRS] (live synthesis & engineering) joined the band.

Half a year later the first demo CD was releases entitled 'Inhumane Amusement'. This demo caught the ear of the German record label NoiTekk (a sub-division of Black Rain records), which convinced the label to such an extent that they signed Grendel immediately. This demo was re-mastered, re-designed and released in combination with new material in 2000 as the band's debut album. This first release set the band's name and received praises from throughout the scene.

New territories

To follow this up, the "End of Ages EP" was released in 2002 and marked new territory for Grendel with tracks such as the international hit title-track "End of Ages", the pounding "Catastrophe" and the intriguing "Noisome".

Next to this the EP was completed with remixes done by the bands Feindflug, Arzt+Pfusch and God Module. With the unorthodox and original use of orchestration, obscure samples incorporated with harsh and pounding aggrotech structures this release again received almost only great reactions from both the media and listeners and would set Grendel's sound for the future.

econd album

In 2003, Grendel recorded their second full-length release, entitled "Prescription : Medicide". This album took another step deeper into the world of Grendel with its complex, yet harsh, pounding & danceable structures, dismal orchestration and distressed nature. It meant a big breakthrough for the band, receiving many great reviews, becoming album of the month in a.o. Zillo and Orkus plus reaching very high positions in underground charts world wide (including staying at number 1 for several months on the Dutch Underground Charts).It included their first version remix of "KernKraft 400" re-titled "Zombie nation"Soon after the recording of this album [FLRS] sadly had to depart from Grendel and was replaced by [4N1T4] .

Club hit

In 2005 Grendel recorded an EP, entitled "Soilbleed". Their brutal second version remix of "Kernkraft 400" by the group Zombie Nation (interestingly, the original is popular at American sporting events) became a club hit, though the other tracks are strong as well. Note that there is generally some confusion as to whether Zombie Nation or Kernkraft 400 is the name of the band or the song. The track on "Soilbleed", however, is named "Zombienation V.2k5".

Problems with copyright of the "Zombienation V.2k5" track led to a re-release entitled "Soilbleed REDUX" which does not have that track, though it features a cover of Leæther Strip's "Don't Tame Your Soul", a new track entitled "One. Eight.Zero", and a remix of "One. Eight.Zero" by Life Cried."Don't Tame Your Soul" can also be found on the "Rape This Industrial World Vol.1 (2008)" compilation.

2006 saw another line up change: [4N1T4] left due to personal choices and on amicable terms, while [M4RC] was recruited as live drummer [he had played in the past for bands like Terrorfakt, Manufactura and Caustic and [MRK0] - a.k.a. Marco Visconti of XP8 - as live synthplayer.

In 2007 Last.fm stated that Harsh Generation was the top listened to song by Grendel, next to Soilbleed.

Discography

Most recently Grendel recorded the CD "Harsh Generation".

*Promo CD (2000) (Label: self produced)
*Inhumane Amusement - Promo CD (Label: self produced)
**Inhumane Amusement - CD (1/3/2001) (Label: NoiTekk)
* End of Ages - EP (15/4/2002) (Label: NoiTekk)
*Prescription : Medicide - CD (Normal + Limited Edition of 1500 copies) (15/1/2004) (Label: NoiTekk)
**Prescription : Medicide - CD (US Version) (10/8/2004) (Label: Metropolis)
*Soilbleed EP - CD (25/4/2005) {Label: NoiTekk)
**Soilbleed EP - CD (US Version) (10/5/2005) (Label: Metropolis)
***Soilbleed : REDUX EP - CD (12/5/2006) (Label: NoiTekk)
*Harsh Generation - CD (Normal + Limited Edition) (2007) (Label: Infacted Rec. (EU), Metropolis Rec. (US) & Gravitator Rec. (RUS))

Compilations

*Rape This Industrial World Vol.1 - "Don't Tame Your Soul (Leæther Strip cover)"
*Rape This Industrial World Vol.2 - "Hate This"
*United Vol. 1- "Soilbleed"

ee also

*Metropolis Records

Notes

External links

* [http://www.grendel-base.com Grendel official homepage]
*