Enforsaken

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Enforsaken is a Chicago-based melodic death/thrash metal band.

Contents 1 History 2 Trivia 3 Discography 4 Enforsaken cover artwork 5 Band line-up 5.1 Band line-up 1998-2000 5.2 Band line-up 2000-2002 5.3 Band line-up 2002-2006

[edit] History

Chicago’s Enforsaken were formed in early 1998 by Steve Stell and Patrick O'Keefe. The group disbanded in 2006. Influences ranged from Melodic Death/Black Metal, Traditional 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day Heavy Metal/Thrash, Progressive Rock, Classical and Jazz. However, the band’s primary sound did lean strongly towards the more extreme side of this musical spectrum. Bands such as Carcass, Edge of Sanity, Death, Kreator, Dismember, Sentenced, At the Gates, Iron Maiden and Megadeth were all strong Enforsaken influences. The band would rarely focus on just one genre within each song. It is common to hear traces of melodic death metal, black metal, the classic NWOBHM style and 70’s Prog all within the same Enforsaken song.

Over their 8-year history, Enforsaken shared the stage with: Shadows Fall, Lamb of God, Vader, Satyricon, Morbid Angel, Dismember, Arch Enemy, Kataklysm, God Forbid, Darkest Hour, The Black Dahlia Murder, Burnt by the Sun, All That Remains, The Crown, Dying Fetus, Killswitch Engage, Origin, Exodus, Krisiun, Strapping Young Lad, Enslaved, Naglfar, The Berzerker, Fleshgrind, The Chasm, Body Count and many more. The band also played numerous fests including The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, Minnesota Mayhem and Milwaukee Metalfest.

[edit] Trivia

• The band released albums on Century Media, Lifeforce and Crash Music.

• Enforsaken have had their music featured on numerous episodes of MTV’S “Viva La Bam” TV show.

• Enforsaken's first CD, "Embraced By Misery," was originally released on Shadows Fall guitarists Matt Bachand's small label "Lifeless Records."

• Enforsaken have also appeared on many compilation albums including the widely popular Metal For The Masses (a Hot Topic exclusive) and In the Eyes of Death (The European version of Metal For The Masses) cds.

• James Murphy (Disincarnate, Death, Testament, Obituary guitarist) played a guitar solo on Enforsaken's "The Forever Endeavor" album. James also mastered the album at his home studio in Florida.

• Enforsaken's largest fanbases are in The U.K and Germany.

• The band has appeared in many print magazines such as Metal Manicas, Revolver, Pit, Terrorizer, Unrestrained, Sod, Decibel and many more.

• Enforsaken have also had their music played on Music Choice tv’s “Last Rites” show as well as XM and Sirius Satellite radio metal shows.

• The bands final show was at Metro in Chicago on August 19th, 2006.

[edit] Discography

• First release: Demo 1999 (self released)

1.Into The Everblack 2.Standing In The Shadows Of Suicide

• Second release: 2001. Embraced By Misery MCD/EP ( Released on Lifeforce Records in Europe and Lifeless Records in USA) The re-issue of this cd was released in 2005 by Cartel Media Records.

1.) Of Open Wounds... 2.) The Acting Parts 3.) Embraced By Misery 4.) Dead Light, Dead Night 5.) Into The Everblack 6.) Standing In The Shadows 7.) Of Open Wounds (Novalex remix) 8.) Into The Everblack (from demo 1999) 9.) Standing In The Shadows Of Suicide (from demo 1999)

• Third release: 2004. The Forever Endeavor. Full length CD. (Released on Century Media Records in Europe, Olympic Recordings in USA and Soundholic Records in Japan.)

1. Tales Of Bitterness 2. The Forever Endeavor 3. A Break From Tradidion 4. Vertigo Equillibrium 5. Dead Light, Dead Night 6. Cloaked In Need 7. The Acting Parts 8. Poison Me 9. Redemption 10. All For Nothing

• Fourth and final release: 2006. Sinner’s Intuition. Full length cd. (Released on Crash Music Inc. worldwide.)

1.Witness To The Fall 2. Blacklist Assassin 3.The Slain 4. Halo of Ruin 5. Enemy Angel 6. Sever The Ties 7. Words In Red 8. The Course To Oblivion

[edit] Enforsaken cover artwork

Over the years, Enforsaken had the privilege of working with great artists when it came to their cd covers. Credits are as follows.

Sinner’s Intuition album art: TRAVIS SMITH (Opeth, Katatonia, Soilwork, Nevermore)

The Forever Endeavor album art: NIKLAS SUNDIN (Dark Tranquillity guitarist. Has also done art for Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity, Strapping Young Lad, Naglfar and more)

Embraced By Misery original MCD release art: CARLOS DEL OLMO HOLMBERG (Former Soilwork keyboardist. Has done art for many underground bands.

Embraced By Misery original re-release art: ENRICO LONGHIN. Guitarist for Italy’s Bleed In Vain.

Enforsaken were sponsored by: CAPARISON GUITARS, GIBSON GUITARS and MADISON AMPLIFIERS.

[edit] Band line-up

[edit] Band line-up 1998-2000

Steve Stell - Guitar, bass, vocals

Patrick O'Keefe - Drums, vocals

[edit] Band line-up 2000-2002

Steven Sagala – Vocals

Joe DeGroot – Guitar

Steve Stell – Guitar

Eric Kava – Bass

Patrick O'Keefe - Drums

[edit] Band line-up 2002-2006

Steven Sagala - Vocals

Joe DeGroot - Guitar

Steve Stell - Guitar

Eric Kava - Bass

Dave Swanson - Drums