Artist
Atheist are a technical death metal band from Florida, USA. The band is known for its highly complex playing and for incorporating jazz and latin elements into their sound. They were intially founded in 1984 under then name Oblivion, which was soon changed to R.A.V.A.G.E. (Raging Atheist Vowing A Gory End). The band issued several demos under this name before shortening their moniker to just Atheist. The band released their first album, "Piece Of Time" in 1989. The line-up was Kelly Shaefer (vocals, guitar), Rand Burkey (guitar), Roger Patterson (bass), and Steve Flynn (drums). In 1991, as the band was preparing their follow up, Patterson was killed in a car accident. He was replaced by Tony Choy (Pestilence). Atheist broke up the following year but in 1993, Kelly Shaefer put together a new line-up featuring Choy, Jason Greenbaum (drums), and Frank Emmi (guitar). Growing problems with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome forced Shaefer to limit his guitar playing to just rhythm guitar. Just prior to recording their new album, Rand Burkey rejoined the group. The album, "Elements" toned down the metal influences and increased the jazz and latin elements. Atheist split again after its release.
In 2005, Relapse Records reissued Atheist's 3 albums with bonus tracks that included demos and live tracks. In 2006, it was announced the Atheist was reuniting with Shaefer, Flynn, Choy, and Burkey along with guitarist Sonny Carson, as tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome prevented Shaefer from playing guitar. However, personal legal problems forced Burkey to exit and he was replaced by Chris Baker. In 2010, it was announced the Choy had left the band for other projects. Later that year, Shaefer, Flynn, Baker and guitarist Jonathan Thompson recorded the album "Jupiter", with Thompson recording all the bass parts.
Tracks
1
Green
2
Water
3
Samba Briza
4
Air
5
Displacement
6
Animal
7
Mineral
8
Fire
9
Fractal Point
10
Earth
11
See You Again
12
Elements
13
Unquestionable Presence (Live Bbc Radio Broadcast 1992)
14
On They Slay (Live Bbc Radio Broadcast 1992)
15
Enthralled In Essence (Live Bbc Radio Broadcast 1992)
16
The Formative Years (Live Bbc Radio Broadcast 1992)
17
Mother Man (Live Bbc Radio Broadcast 1992)
18
Retribution (Live Bbc Radio Broadcast 1992)
Releases
Formats
CD, Cassette, Vinyl
Labels
Takt Music , Icarus Music, Irond, Vogue, Metal Blade Records, Music For Nations, Rock Gallery, Metal Mind Records, Never Dead, Season Of Mist, Metal Blade Records , Relapse Records, Nuclear Blast Records
Countries
Argentina, France, Japan, Poland, Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Europe, USA & Canada, USA & Europe
years
1993, 1994, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
Members
Lee Harrison,
Jonathan Thompson,
Josh Greenbaum,Tony Choy,Rand Burkey,Kelly Shaefer,
Roger Patterson,Steve Flynn,
Frank Emmi,
Sonny Carson (2),
Chris Baker (10),
Sean Martinez (2),
Travis Morgan (3)
