Salem Orchid

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Salem Orchid was a death metal band from London UK. Formed in 1988, they are best known for a 2 track demo released in 1991 comprising of the songs 'Sempiternal Suffering' and 'The Nirvana Of Agony'. The demo became well known for its satanic lyrical content and high speed playing. The line up at this time consisted of Jason Mendonca (Vocals and Guitar), Steve Wood (Guitar), Dan Temple (bass guitar) and David Gray (Drums).

The band split shortly after and re-emerged in 1992 with a line up of Nikkie (ex-Crematorium & Necrocannibal Dissection) on Vocals and Guitar, Steve Wood (Guitar), Matt Platts (Bass Guitar) and David Gray (Drums). Matt Platts was later replaced by Andrea Zoccoli.

The band emerged again in 1995 with a new line up of Matt Platts (Guitar, vocals), Peter Theobalds (Bass Guitar), Caroline Batt (Bass Guitar) and David Gray (Drums). The music was much more experimental than before as the band began taking large influences from bands such as Killing Joke and Sonic Youth and mixing them with extreme metal. The band also played live under different names. Only demo tapes are known to exist from this phase.

David Gray, Jason Mendonca and Peter Theobalds later regrouped as Akercocke in 1997, and to date have released five albums in the blackened death metal genre. Tracks on a limited edition release of Akerckocke's debut album 'Rape Of The Bastard Nazarene' have featured early Salem Orchid songs as bonus tracks.