Insanity Reigns Supreme

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Insanity Reigns Supreme
Origin	Belgium
Years active	1989 – present
Genres	Doom metal
Members	Criz Chris Roel Edward Ron

Insanity Reigns Supreme (IRS) is a Belgian Doom metal band formed in 1989.

1 History
2 Members
- 2.1 Current members
- 2.2 Former members
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] History

The band's first incarnation was called Mental Defect, formed by Chris and Ron, both guitar players, and soon completed with Criz on vocals, Filip on drums and Chan on bass. However, due to the suicide of the latter late in 1989. This tragedy was very influential on the band's musical style, making it very emotional and dark.

Two years later a first self-titled demo was recorded at the Music House studio with Sid as replacement on bass. The female vocals on the demo were provided by guest singer Joli. Since the music had matured over this time, and the band changed it's name to Insanity Reigns Supreme, which reflects the modern day world. May have been named along the song "Insanity reigns supreme" from the Prophecy Of Doom album Acknowledge The Confusion Master, also released in 1989. Shortly after recording of the demo, Filip left the band, so the line-up was limited to two guitars and vocals.

In this form, IRS contributed a track to the 1993 sampler album Detonation by independent label Tessa Records. Through this sampler, their new drummer Edward was found.

It is not until 1995 that the line-up was complete again with the inclusion of ex-Avatar bassist Muriël. Throughout the recording of the second demo Our Path Is Dark and Lonely... it became apparent that Muriël did not fit the band's style, so a quick replacement was needed. The bass position was filled in by Ömer. The demo was recorded in the Beaufort Studio in the Netherlands with support by the underground label Teutonic Existance.

The same label supported the recording of the band's debut album ...And Darkness Drowned the Land Divine in the summer of 1997. Female vocals were again provided by Joli. Due to internal problems, Teutonic Existance did not release the album until 1998. It was released as a digipack, but promotion did not succeed because the label perished.

In 2000, after more than 10 years, Chris decides to leave the band. The void he left was quickly filled by Roel, who was ironically the organiser of Chris' last concert with IRS.

2001 saw the free internet release of a video that was recorded in 1996. Ömer leaves the band due to changes in his professional career. One year later Burt (ex-Agathocles) joins IRS on bass.

In 2003, the follow-up for ... And Darkness Drowned the Land Divine was finally recorded, again in Beaufort Studio. The album is dubbed Prophecy of Doom and features heavy riffs and deep growls. Female vocals have disappeared completely, intensifying the dark emotional essence of IRS' music.

2004 marks the return of Chris to the band, this time taking up bass duties as Burt quit the band.

Up until now, IRS continue to tour and write new music. The band expects to record a new album in 2007.