CEPHALIC CARNAGE
Formed in Denver, Colorado in 1992, CEPHALIC CARNAGE set out to
break down musical barriers by raising both the expectations and
standards of extremity in heavy music. A unique musical hybrid,
CEPHALIC CARNAGE thrives on integrating various experimental
aspects into their unique, forward-thinking musical style.
In 1993, founding members Lenzig (vocals) and Zac Joe (guitar)
recorded and released their first demo, 'Scrape My Lungs.' Although
the recording was well-circulated in the underground, the band
split up soon afterwards. In 1996, CEPHALIC CARNAGE reformed and
added members John Merryman (drums) and Steve Goldberg (guitar).
The infusion of new blood into the CEPHALIC ranks kicked things
into high gear for the band and only two months after the new
lineup had been together, a second demo, titled 'Fortuitous
Oddity,' was recorded and released. A four-piece at the time of the
recording, the band was stronger than ever as the duel-guitar
onslaught merged effortlessly with extremely technical drumming and
Lenzig's wildly schizophrenic vocal attack. The word was out,
andCEPHALIC CARNAGE were making a name for themselves. The band hit
the road for a self-financed U.S. tour in the fall of 1997,
alerting many to the unbelievable intensity of the CEPHALIC CARNAGE
live show.
In 1998, CEPHALIC released their debut album, Conforming To
Abnormality. 'Conforming...' unveiled a style of extreme music that
was completely original in its makeup: blending mind-melting guitar
technicality with inhuman drumming, varied vocal assaults,
smatterings of jazz sensibilities and devastating sub-bass drops.
The level of musicianship displayed on Conforming To Abnormality'
was critically-acclaimed upon the album's release. CEPHALIC CARNAGE
then added bassist Jawsh Mullen to the fold and hit the road in
support of the album. A crushing set at the 1998 Milwaukee
Metalfest cemented the band's name in the minds of music fans and
journalists and verified all accounts of their (now) legendary live
performances as the band laid waste to Metalfest attendees with one
of the best sets of the entire festival. The band also appeared at
the 1999 Dallas Grindfest, the 1999 March Metal Meltdown, the 1999
Ohio Deathfest, the 1999 Denver Hatefest, the 1999 Milwaukee
Metalfest and the 1999 November To Dismember, stopping at nothing
to bring their futuristic sounds to the masses.
Soon following, CEPHALIC joined the Relapse Records family. The
band's initiation consisted of joining labelmates SOILENT GREEN,
TODAY IS THE DAY, EXHUMED and MORGION on the Relapse 1999
Contamination Tour . In December, 1999, CEPHALIC entered New
Orleans' Festival Studios with producer Keith Falgout (SOILENT
GREEN, CROWBAR, ACID BATH) and recorded their Relapse debut,
Exploiting Dysfunction. Destroying parameters, CEPHALIC CARNAGE
stupefied and astounded with 'Exploiting Dysfunction,' blending and
configuring styles of music with surgical precision. Shortly after
the mastering of 'Exploiting...' a U.S. tour with
labelmates THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, showcased two of extreme
music's most forward-thinking and jaw-dropping live acts. CEPHALIC
then lit up the crowd at the 2002 SXSW Festival in Austin, TX
(alongside labelmates MASTODON, HIGH ON FIRE and ALABAMA
THUNDERPUSSY), debuting new material in front of a crowd of
unsuspecting music fans.
In 2002, CEPHALIC CARNAGE unveiled 'Lucid Interval,' a high-impact
dose of unique sound(s) combining various styles of heavy music
with elements of jazz-fusion and an ultra-keen sense of
progression. Bending genres with wild counter-rhythms, exceptional
musicianship and hairpin twists and turns, CEPHALIC CARNAGE
accelerated their creativity while delivering a thought-provoking
eye-opening to the musical status quo. Press accolades poured in
upon the album's release and the band hit the tour trail yet
again.
CEPHALIC returned to SXSW in March, 2003 as one of the featured
acts of the Relapse Records Showcase. The band then hit the road as
part of the Relapse Records North American Contamination Tour 2003
(with labelmates MASTODON, UPHILL BATTLE and DYSRHYTHMIA) before
joining up with SHADOWS FALL and HATEBREED for U.S. treks. CEPHALIC
kicked off 2004 with a European tour with labelmates EXHUMED and
followed that up with a Euro trek with MACABRE.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE's Anomalies is set for a March, 2005 release date
via Relapse. You've heard the hype - find out what its all
about!
CEPHALIC CARNAGE:
Lenzig Leal: Vocals
Zac Joe: Guitar
John Merryman: Drums
Steve Goldberg: Guitar
Jawsh Mullen: Bass