Insanity Reigns Supreme

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Insanity Reigns Supreme
Origin Belgium
Genre(s) Death/Doom metal
Years active 1991 – present
Members
Criz
Chris
Roel
Edward
Ron

Insanity Reigns Supreme (IRS) is a Belgian death/doom metal band that first emerged in 1991.

Contents

[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 that line-up was cursed with a short lifespan. This tragedy was very influential on the band's musical style, making it very emotional and dark.

In 1991 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, the band changed its name to Insanity Reigns Supreme, which reflects the band's critical view on the modern day world. Shortly after recording of the demo, Filip & Sid were motivated to leave the band, and so the line-up was reduced to a threesome.

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

It is not until 1995 that the line-up was complete again with the inclusion of bassist Muriël. Throughout the recording of the second demo Our Path Is Dark and Lonely... it became apparent however that Muriël did not fit the band's style, so a quick replacement was needed. After the studiowork the bass position was filled in by Ömer. The demo was recorded at the Beaufort Studio in the Netherlands with support from the underground label Teutonic Existence. This release was very well received by the public & press and it is with this demo that the band unveils for the first time its unique blend of Death- and Doom-metal for which it has earned it's rock-hard reputation throughout the years to come.

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 Existence did not release the album until 1998. It was released as a digipack, but promotion did not succeed because the label perished. Through time this album is considered somewhat of a cult-album within the genre of doom/death metal by metal fans and the metal press all over the world.

In 2000 and after more than 10 years, Chris decided to leave the band. The void he left was 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 at the Beaufort Studio (NL). The album was dubbed Prophecy of Doom and features an even more desolate atmosphere within their music than ever before. Female vocals have disappeared completely, intensifying the dark emotional essence of IRS' music. Once again the band takes full credit for all the artwork (except the front-cover) that comes with the album and this reflects the band's mystical view upon their music. Even though Uxicon Records is mentioned on the album's booklet, this album should be looked upon as an independnt release with no label back-up whatsoever. Death/Doom stripped down to its bare essence; that is the general point of view that can be read in the multitude of positive reviews that have been written on this album so far.

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

In 2007 the band's videos for the song "La Tristesse Eternelle" and the new song "Worship" can be seen on YouTube.

Up until now, IRS continue to do gigs and write new music. The band expects to release a new album in 2009.

[edit] Members

[edit] Current members

  • Criz - Vocals (1991-...)
  • Roel - Guitar (2000-...)
  • Ron - Guitar (1991-...)
  • Chris - Bass (2004-...) & Guitar (1991-2000)
  • Edward - Drums (1993-...)

[edit] Former members

  • Filip - Drums
  • Chan(+) - Bass
  • Sid - Bass
  • Muriël - Bass
  • Ömer - Bass
  • Burt - Bass
  • Joli - Female vocals (session)

[edit] Discography

[edit] External links