- Devolved (band)
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Devolved Origin Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Genres Technical death metal Years active 1996–present Labels Copro Records, Modern Music, MGM, Unique Leader Associated acts Fear Factory
Divine HeresyWebsite Devolved Members John Sankey
Hal Berkstresser
Mark HawkinsDevolved is a technical death metal band originally from the Gold Coast, Australia[1] but based in Los Angeles, California since 2005. Led by founding member John Sankey the band has so far released three full-length albums with a fourth studio album scheduled for 2012, and toured throughout Australia, Europe, North America, UK and Japan.
Contents
History
The band was formed by drummer John Sankey and guitarist Brett Noordin in 1996. In 2000, a demo titled Truth was recorded with a line-up consisting of Mark Walpole on guitar and bass player/vocalist Joel Graham. Nik Carpenter was added to the band on lead vocals and in 2001 Devolved released their debut album Technologies via Brisbane based label Modern Music.
The band's live performances included a light show that featured heavy use of strobe lighting. After a fan suffered an epileptic seizure during a performance, Devolved was given a court order requiring a warning about the possible dangers of this effect to be included on all the band's promotional material including advertising and even album artwork.
Shortly after the release of Technologies, Devolved was voted Australian Metal Band of the Year by both listeners and staff of radio network Triple J. Roadrunner Records affiliated magazine 'Outsider' also judged Technologies as the Australian metal album of the year and John Sankey as best metal drummer.
In early 2002, Wayde Dunn joined on bass. The group then embarked on an extensive tour of the United Kingdom, Japan, and Europe. In 2002 Devolved released an EP entitled Automation 001. Devolved also toured and performed during this time with high profile bands such as Machine Head, Strapping Young Lad, Opeth, Arch Enemy, and Fear Factory.
Devolved's second album Calculated was released in September 2004. Following the release, John Sankey, Brett Noordin, and Patrick Brown relocated Devolved to Los Angeles in early 2005 due to John Sankey's commitments with Divine Heresy and various other ongoing projects which included contributing a song to the Roadrunner All-Stars album.
Devolved recruited Los Angeles-based singer Kyle Zemanek and the band embarked on various American tours and began work on the next studio album. Devolved signed to Unique Leader Records in early 2009 and re-released the Calculated album internationally. This new version was released world-wide on January 19, 2010.
Devolved's third full-length LP Oblivion, was released world-wide on May 24, 2011. John Sankey continues to be the driving force behind the band and sole original member since the departure of Brett Noordin, who returned to Australia in 2010.
John Sankey recently announced he will be writing all the music, lyrics and arrangements for a new studio album to be released in 2012, and will collaborate with Florida-based guitarist Mark Hawkins who will be playing all the guitar tracks. Sankey was quoted "I will always continue writing and releasing new Devolved music. I started this band for the purpose of creating extreme, brutal music and this next album will be the most accomplished Devolved album to date!" John Sankey has not yet announced who be performing vocals on the next studio album but commented that Kyle Zemanek is no longer involved in the band.
The next Devolved release is set for 2012.
Discography
Studio Albums
- 2001: Technologies (MGM Australia, Copro Records)
- 2004: Calculated (Sony, Modern Music)
- 2010: Calculated [Re-Release] (Unique Leader Records)
- 2011: Technologies [10 Year Re-Release]
- 2011: Oblivion (Unique Leader Records)
Other Releases
- 1998: Truth (Demo)
- 2002: Automation 001 EP (MGM Australia, Biotech Records)
Videography
- 'Distorted' (2001)
- 'Vex' (2004)
- 'Fractured' (2009)
- 'Wrethed Eyes Of God' (2011)
Band line-up
Current members
- John Sankey - Drums, Lyrics, Samples and all arrangements (1996-present)
- Hal Berkstresser - Bass, Samples (2008-present)
- Mark Hawkins - Guitars (2011-present)
Former/Touring members
- Kyle Zemanek - Vocals (2005-2011)
- Anthony Sabatino - Samples (2008-2011)
- Brett Noordin - Guitars, Lyrics (1996-2010)
- Nik Carpenter − Vocals (1999-2005)
- Joel Graham − Bass, Vocals (1997-2002)
- Mark Walpole − Guitar (1997-2003)
- Wayde Dunn - Bass (2002-2005)
- Patrick Brown − Samples, Keyboards (2004-2008)
- Brett Carpio - Guitars (2005-2008)
- Leighton Kearns - Bass (2005-2008)
See also
External links
References
Categories:- Australian technical death metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1996
- Queensland musical groups
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