Disembowel

Another solid entry from the sprawling Thessaloniki underground scene, DISEMBOWEL started out in 1993, playing high-velocity, percussive Death Metal in the US tradition, infused with subtle doses more European-sounding tremolo-based melodies. The earliest known line up consisted of Vassilis Platsas (vocals, guitars – HEAD CLEANER), Dimitris “Jimmas” Michailidis (guitars), George Mamaliokas (bass) and George Siapkas (drums). Later prominent members of the band include Vassilis "Bill" Stavrianidis (drums – HEAD CLEANER, TERRORDROME, TWILIGHT, etc.), who’ve stayed with the group at least since their third release “Promo ‘98” (1998).

Taken as a whole, DISEMBOWEL’s musical development can be roughly divided into two distinct periods: demo era and album era. While gradually progressing in the songwriting department, DISEMBOWEL pretty much stuck to their guns in terms of style: early-to-mid-1990s brutal Death Metal, bordering on grindcore levels of intensity à la early PHOBIA (US). It’s worth pointing out that the wild and untampered music contained on releases like “Uncurable Wounds” and “Promo ‘98” is distinctly old school in both sound and spirit and has nothing to do with the sterile and modern so-called “brutal” Death Metal, where display of technicality and vapid songwriting takes the upper hand.

However, starting with the band’s first full-length album “Zero Turns to One” (2001), DISEMBOWEL took a radical leap (backwards, some would say…), shedding their former skin and rebirthing themselves as a groove-oriented Metal band with Death Metal aesthetics – a radical simplification of their previous works that bears similarities to late-1990s NAPALM DEATH (although not as drastic as the horrid “Diatribes” CD). Coming out ten years after the debut, the digitally released (for free) follow-up album “Core” (2011) continued in a similar style. According to the latest news from the band (not sure how accurate it is though), DISEMBOWEL are currently working on new material. We’ll see what their next move will be.

Compilation appearances:
* Beyond the Grave [LP, Comp: Dark Side, 1994]
* Never to Rise Again [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, 1995]
* All Filth of This World Is a Human Filth [Cass, Comp: Rotten Tooths Productions]
* Vibes from Below [CD, Comp: Alone, 1999]