Acid Death
Athens (Attica)
Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Progressive Metal
Active:
1989-2001, 2011-present
1989-2001, 2011-present
Whether we talk about their early days as an underground Death/Thrash act or their later forays into Progressive (Death) Metal – ACID DEATH has remained an integral part of Greek Metal music for well over 30 years by now. And deservedly so, considering the qualitative consistency which permeates pretty much the entire ACID DEATH discography, in spite of their adventurous stylistic development. Even though the listener might be partial to a certain period of the band’s career, there is no denying that the band kept their integrity intact.
History began in Athens, February 1989 with a full lineup being in place by October the same year. Originally, ACID DEATH consisted of (at the time they employed anglicized names): “Jake” (Savvas Betinis) (vocals, bass – KINETIC), “Evans” (Themis Katsimichas) (guitars), Takis Zalogiannis (guitars) and Babis Baltas (drums). The latter two were subsequently replaced by “Ken” (Dimosthenis/Dennis Kostopoulos) (guitars – INFIDEL, PIRANHA) and “George” (Kostas Tsombanos) (drums – APPARENTLY DEAD, IMAGINERY, KAWIR) respectively. The four-piece entered Backstage Studios (Athens) in May 1990 to produce their debut demo “Rotation of Insanity” (1990). Recorded live without any posthumous mixing, this raw five-tracker presents no-frills Death/Thrash of European pedigree. Like other bands of this liminal period, ACID DEATH took heed from the most violent works of the German Thrash scene, in particular KREATOR circa “Pleasure to Kill”. Although something of a Greek underground classic by its own right (together with contemporary releaes by DANGER CROSS, SADISTIC NOISE, SEPTICEMIA, etc.) “Rotation of Insanity” was in hindsight more of an appetizer of what was yet to come as ACID DEATH began sculpting out their own sound and songwriting methodology in the following years.
To be continued… Until a more thorough biography is up and running, you are free to check out reviews below.
Compilation appearances:
d i s c o g r a p h y :
Rotation of Insanity - Demo (Cassette) 1990 -
Private (-)
(Backstage Studios (Athens))
Details: Single-sided regular cassette, coloured j-card, insert w/ lyrics, hand-numbered.
Reissues:
Cass, Private, 1990 (alternate cover)
TRACKLIST:
Intro
Living Dead
Technocratic Frost
Traders of Destruction
Rotation of Insanity
Intro
Living Dead
Technocratic Frost
Traders of Destruction
Rotation of Insanity
LINE-UP:
Jake (vocals, bass)
Evans (guitars)
Ken (guitars)
George (drums)
Jake (vocals, bass)
Evans (guitars)
Ken (guitars)
George (drums)
The first offering from one of the standard bearers of the Greek death metal scene, “Rotation of Insanity” is (naturally) a far cry from the technical/progressive opuses of ACID DEATH’s later years. What we get is good-old-fashioned European death/thrash in the vein of AGRESSOR (fr) and other KREATOR-inspired bands of the era. No-frills songs with rapid buzzsaw riffing that decelerate into mid-paced sections utilizing old-school percussive, palm-muted chugging. During some of the latter-mentioned parts (like the opening to “Living Death) the guitars are not fully synched – but does it matter? No! My favorite track here along with the moody intro – something which ACID DEATH has always excelled at – is probably the closing instrumental which reaches even further back into the 1980s with some highly headbangable riffs.
Written by Johan Pettersson
Written by Johan Pettersson
Promo Tape 1992 - Demo (Cassette) 1992 -
Private (-)
(Studio unknown)
Details: Single-sided regular cassette, black/white j-card.
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Apathy Murders Hope
Civil War
Apathy Murders Hope
Civil War
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Promo Tape 1993 - Demo (Cassette) 1993 -
Molon Lave Records (-)
(Unknown)
Details: Single-sided regular cassette, coloured j-card.
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Misled
Spliting Your Mind's Eye
Misled
Spliting Your Mind's Eye
LINE-UP:
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Apathy Murders Hope - Single (7" Vinyl) 1993 -
Molon Lave Records (MLR 008)
(Praxis Recording Studios (Athens))
Details: Black 7" vinyl, black/white fold-out cover.
Reissues:
7", Molon Lave Records, 1993 (blue transparent 7" vinyl)
TRACKLIST:
Psychosis (intro)
Apathy Murders Hope
Balance of Power
Psychosis (intro)
Apathy Murders Hope
Balance of Power
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
“Apathy Murders Hope” arrived three years after the “Rotation of Insanity” demo and with Themis Katsimichas joining as second guitarist, the band’s “classic” line-up became intact. The rabid death/thrash-ing continues, even if there are clear signs of the band transcending their original style.
Compared to “Rotation of Insanity”, this 3-track single/EP is not only tighter in performance, but also bolder in terms of composition and more intense in presentation. The EP begins with another eerie introductory track, which this time could well have been lifted straight out of a classic horror movie. As “Apathy Murders Hope” kicks in, the band delve straight into high-speed riffing and doesn’t let go until this short EP has come to an end. That’s not to say it’s a one-dimensional ride though. The band has improved their riff-craft since 1990, twisting riffs to the point where I’d dare to call them unique. Along with the majority of seven inches put out by Molon Lave in the early 1990s “Apathy Murders Hope” can still be found at very reasonable prices, so go ahead and grab either the black or blue edition!
Written by Johan Pettersson
Compared to “Rotation of Insanity”, this 3-track single/EP is not only tighter in performance, but also bolder in terms of composition and more intense in presentation. The EP begins with another eerie introductory track, which this time could well have been lifted straight out of a classic horror movie. As “Apathy Murders Hope” kicks in, the band delve straight into high-speed riffing and doesn’t let go until this short EP has come to an end. That’s not to say it’s a one-dimensional ride though. The band has improved their riff-craft since 1990, twisting riffs to the point where I’d dare to call them unique. Along with the majority of seven inches put out by Molon Lave in the early 1990s “Apathy Murders Hope” can still be found at very reasonable prices, so go ahead and grab either the black or blue edition!
Written by Johan Pettersson
Misled/Deformed Beyond Belief (Split w/ AVULSED) - Split (12" Vinyl) 1993 -
Molon Lave Records (MLR-LP-053)
(Unknown)
Details: Red transparent 12" vinyl.
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Acid Death - Misled
Acid Death - Dragon Queen
Acid Death - Civil War
Acid Death - Apathy Murders Hope
Acid Death - Splitting Your Mind's Eye
Avulsed - Achieving the Perfect Deformity
Avulsed - Addicted to Carrion
Avulsed - Bodily Ransack
Avulsed - Gangrened Divine Stigma
Avulsed - Malodorous Lethal Gases
Avulsed - Infanticide
Acid Death - Misled
Acid Death - Dragon Queen
Acid Death - Civil War
Acid Death - Apathy Murders Hope
Acid Death - Splitting Your Mind's Eye
Avulsed - Achieving the Perfect Deformity
Avulsed - Addicted to Carrion
Avulsed - Bodily Ransack
Avulsed - Gangrened Divine Stigma
Avulsed - Malodorous Lethal Gases
Avulsed - Infanticide
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Promo Tape '96 - Demo (Cassette) 1996 -
Private (-)
(AMP Studios (Athens), July 1996)
Details: Single-sided regular cassette, black/green j-card.
Reissues:
Cass, Private, 1996 (black/yellow j-card)
TRACKLIST:
Reappearing Freedom
Lost
My Destination
Reappearing Freedom
Lost
My Destination
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Pieces of Mankind - Album (CD) 1997 -
Metal Mad Music (MMM 003)
(AMP Studios (Athens))
Details: Limited edition: 500 copies.
Reissues:
Cass, Metal Mad Music (promo)
CD, Copro Records, 1999
CD, Copro Records, 1999 (promo)
CD, Copro Productions, 2015 (bonus tracks)
CD, Copro Records, 1999
CD, Copro Records, 1999 (promo)
CD, Copro Productions, 2015 (bonus tracks)
TRACKLIST:
Lost (intro)
While the End is Coming
Reappearing Freedom
Our Shadows
Frozen Heart
My Destination
Liquid Heaven
Realising
A/I
The Mirror on the Top of the World
Lost (intro)
While the End is Coming
Reappearing Freedom
Our Shadows
Frozen Heart
My Destination
Liquid Heaven
Realising
A/I
The Mirror on the Top of the World
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Nigel Foxxe (session keyboards, orchestrations)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Nigel Foxxe (session keyboards, orchestrations)
After yet another three-year break in release activity - probably due to members doing their obligatory service in the Greek military - ACID DEATH put out “Pieces of Mankind”, their first full-length album. Even though the line-up has remained intact, plenty has changed in the stylistic department during the interim period. The frantic Euro-death/thrash of “Apathy Murders Hope” has given way to technical/progressive trappings in the vein of late-period DEATH.
The majority of songs are quite convoluted, filled with time-signature changes, stop/start riffing, skewed chords, computerized orchestration and exhilarating lead guitar/keyboard explorations. There’s also the trademark “thumping” faux-jazz performance style known from bands of similar ilk. Moreover, “Pieces of Mankind” is arguably ACID DEATH’s most mellow, melodic release, with a slight atmospheric bent to the latter half of the album.
Despite the progressive angle and twist-and-turn songwriting, the music remains relatively accessible, much thanks to the band’s focus on writing memorable songs. What bothers me more is groove metal-tendencies, which rear their ugly head from time to time in the form of blunt chugga-chugga riffing and “aggro”-shout vocals. There’s also the production, which comes off as sounding a bit too sterile for its own good (I had to double-check to make sure it wasn’t a computer who handled the drumming). All these things make the album sound more dated than it deserves. The same goes for the computer-generated cover art, which is extremely typical of the era. Still, if you can look past the above-mentioned disadvantages, there are enjoyable moments to be found on the album and not just in terms of breathtaking musicianship.
Those who’d like to track down an original copy shouldn’t need to worry too much about the “limited to 500 copies” remark, as this CD is quite easy to come by and also relatively cheap.
Written by Johan Pettersson
The majority of songs are quite convoluted, filled with time-signature changes, stop/start riffing, skewed chords, computerized orchestration and exhilarating lead guitar/keyboard explorations. There’s also the trademark “thumping” faux-jazz performance style known from bands of similar ilk. Moreover, “Pieces of Mankind” is arguably ACID DEATH’s most mellow, melodic release, with a slight atmospheric bent to the latter half of the album.
Despite the progressive angle and twist-and-turn songwriting, the music remains relatively accessible, much thanks to the band’s focus on writing memorable songs. What bothers me more is groove metal-tendencies, which rear their ugly head from time to time in the form of blunt chugga-chugga riffing and “aggro”-shout vocals. There’s also the production, which comes off as sounding a bit too sterile for its own good (I had to double-check to make sure it wasn’t a computer who handled the drumming). All these things make the album sound more dated than it deserves. The same goes for the computer-generated cover art, which is extremely typical of the era. Still, if you can look past the above-mentioned disadvantages, there are enjoyable moments to be found on the album and not just in terms of breathtaking musicianship.
Those who’d like to track down an original copy shouldn’t need to worry too much about the “limited to 500 copies” remark, as this CD is quite easy to come by and also relatively cheap.
Written by Johan Pettersson
Random's Manifest - Album (CD) 2000 -
Black Lotus Records (BLR/CD 018)
(Marathon Studios (Athens))
Details: -
Reissues:
CD, Black Lotus Records, 2000 (promo)
CD, Copro Productions, 2015 (bonus tracks)
CD, Copro Productions, 2015 (bonus tracks)
TRACKLIST:
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Nick Andreadakis (guitars, keyboards)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Leonidas Hatzimichalis (guest vocals)
Nigel Foxxe (guest keyboards)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Nick Andreadakis (guitars, keyboards)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Leonidas Hatzimichalis (guest vocals)
Nigel Foxxe (guest keyboards)
Yet to be reviewed.
Balance of Power - Mini-LP (Digital) 2008 -
Private (-)
(Praxis Recording Studios (Athens), February 1992)
Details: Digital release, originally recorded in 1992.
Reissues:
12" Mini-LP, Floga Records, 2017 (limited edition: 500 copies)
Cass, Floga Records, 2017 (limited edtion: 100 copies)
Cass, Floga Records, 2017 (limited edtion: 100 copies)
TRACKLIST:
Psychosis (intro)
Apathy Murders Hope
Civil War
Death from Above
Balance of Power
Twilight Spirits
State of Paranoia
Psychosis (intro)
Apathy Murders Hope
Civil War
Death from Above
Balance of Power
Twilight Spirits
State of Paranoia
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Themis Katsimichas (guitars)
Kostas Tsombanos (drums)
Back in 1992, ACID DEATH recorded what was intended as their first official product: a 7 song EP/Mini-LP entitled “Balance of Power”, scheduled for release on the Black Power label. However, Black Power were facing serious financial troubles and folded soon after, leaving the band without a label to release and promote their fresh material. The deal was thus broken with B.P. and ACID DEATH went on to sign with Molon Lave and released three of the songs from the the Mini-LP as 1993’s “Apathy Murders Hope”-seven inch. Not until 2008 did “Balance of Power” see the light in its entirety, available for free as a digital release on ACID DEATH’s official website.
It’s a shame it took this long to get “Balance of Power” out to the public. I’d rank it as the finest release from ACID DEATH’s first epoch (i.e. before they went all-out prog). In addition to the ripping death/thrash heard on the tracks previously included on the “Apathy Murders Hope”-single, we get four “new” songs that sees the band develop an even darker, yet melodic mode of composition tangential to what MORGOTH were doing on “Resurrection Macabre”. Rather than utilizing the circular song structures of thrash metal, ACID DEATH here moves into pure death metal territories with riffs arranged as if they were the building blocks of a linear musical narrative. The result is a more versatile, immersive and powerful musical experience that – had the band stuck to their guns – could have been the seed for a future death metal classic.
Written by Johan Pettersson
It’s a shame it took this long to get “Balance of Power” out to the public. I’d rank it as the finest release from ACID DEATH’s first epoch (i.e. before they went all-out prog). In addition to the ripping death/thrash heard on the tracks previously included on the “Apathy Murders Hope”-single, we get four “new” songs that sees the band develop an even darker, yet melodic mode of composition tangential to what MORGOTH were doing on “Resurrection Macabre”. Rather than utilizing the circular song structures of thrash metal, ACID DEATH here moves into pure death metal territories with riffs arranged as if they were the building blocks of a linear musical narrative. The result is a more versatile, immersive and powerful musical experience that – had the band stuck to their guns – could have been the seed for a future death metal classic.
Written by Johan Pettersson
Promo 2011 - Demo (CDr) 2011 -
Private (-)
(S.I.A. Recordings (Athens), December 2010)
Details: Transparent plastic sleeve, limited to 1000 copies.
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Convict 655321
Crossing The Line
Apathy Murders Hope (Version 2011)
Convict 655321
Crossing The Line
Apathy Murders Hope (Version 2011)
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Konstandinios "Gus K" Karavelas (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Konstandinios "Gus K" Karavelas (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Eidolon - Album (CD) 2012 -
Noisehead Records (NHR1012)
(Unknown)
Details:
Reissues:
LP, Noisehead Records, 2013 (limited edition: 500 copies, white vinyl)
TRACKLIST:
Blind Reflection
Crossing The Line
Towards Hate
Convict 65532
Inside My Walls
No Sky Above
Eidolon
Odious Maggots
Dying Alone
Sole Truth
Blind Reflection
Crossing The Line
Towards Hate
Convict 65532
Inside My Walls
No Sky Above
Eidolon
Odious Maggots
Dying Alone
Sole Truth
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Konstandinios "Gus K" Karavelas (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
Konstandinios "Gus K" Karavelas (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Misled 2013 Re-recorded - EP (CD) 2013 -
Private (-)
(S.I.A. Recordings (Athens), January-March 2013)
Details: -
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Misled
Dragon Queen
Civil War
Balance Of Power
Splitting Your Mind's Eye
Misled
Dragon Queen
Civil War
Balance Of Power
Splitting Your Mind's Eye
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Hall of Mirrors - Album (CD) 2015 -
7Hard (7H-183-2)
(Unknown)
Details: Digipak.
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Hell's Maw
Mental Slime
Truth Revealed
Life and Death
The Unfair Fight
Hall of Mirrors
Taste of the Erratic
Ghostship
Planes of the Eternal Dead
Supreme Act of Heroism
Hell's Maw
Mental Slime
Truth Revealed
Life and Death
The Unfair Fight
Hall of Mirrors
Taste of the Erratic
Ghostship
Planes of the Eternal Dead
Supreme Act of Heroism
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Life and Death - Single (Digital) 2017 -
7Hard (-)
(Unknown)
Details: -
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Life and Death
Life and Death
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Godless Shrines - Single (Digital) 2019 -
7Hard (-)
(Unknown)
Details: -
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Godless Shrines
Godless Shrines
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Primal Energies - Album (CD) 2019 -
7Hard (7H-283-2)
()
Details: Digipak.
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
My Bloody Crown
Inner Demons
Godless Shrines
Primal Energies
The Rope
Fire of the Insane
Reality and Fear
Regret/Repent
The Void Before...
H.U.M.A.N.
My Bloody Crown
Inner Demons
Godless Shrines
Primal Energies
The Rope
Fire of the Insane
Reality and Fear
Regret/Repent
The Void Before...
H.U.M.A.N.
LINE-UP:
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Savvas Betinis (vocals, bass)
Dennis Kostopoulos (guitars)
John Anagnostou (guitars)
Kostas Alexakis (drums)
Yet to be reviewed.
Reality and Fear - Digital (Single) 2020 -
7Hard (-)
(Unknown)
Details: -
Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Reality and Fear (Single Edit)
Reality and Fear (Single Edit)
LINE-UP:
Unknown
Unknown
Yet to be reviewed.
