| Broken Hope | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Death metal |
| Years active | 1988–2002 |
| Labels | Metal Blade |
| Past members | |
| Joe Ptacek (1972-2010) Brian Griffin Jeremy Wagner Shaun Glass Scott Creekmore Dave Duff Ed Hughes Sean Baxter Ryan Stanek Larry DeMumbrum Jeff Bumgardner Duane Timlin |
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Broken Hope was an American death metal band that was founded in 1988. They were known as an accomplished mid-paced style death metal band with low-pitched growling vocals. As a band, they spanned roughly twelve years, recording five albums between 1991 and 1999.
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The core of Broken Hope formed by Joe Ptacek (vocals), Jeremy Wagner (rhythm guitar), Brian Griffin (lead guitar), and Ryan Stanek (drums) scored a deal with the then-fledging Grindcore/RedLight Label and cut their debut album, Swamped in Gore.[1] Following that release, Metal Blade Records signed the band, who released their second album, The Bowels of Repugnance, in 1993.[1] The band's third album, 1995's Repulsive Conception, reached CMJ New Music Monthly's Metal Top 25 chart,[2] as did the follow-up, 1997's Loathing,[3] an album which explored topics such as political domination, necrophilia, and safe sex.[4] The band moved to Martyr Records for their fifth album, Grotesque Blessings, released in 1999.[1] Rumors of the band's demise circulated at this time,[5] and by April 2002, Broken Hope disbanded.[6] In a 2007 interview, Wagner explained that several factors, including band dysfunction and a lack of support in Europe from Metal Blade, contributed to the split.[7] Wagner added that the band members had met "face to face" for the first time in five years and discussed a possible reunion.[7] On January 20, 2010, vocalist Joe Ptacek committed suicide with a gunshot to the head.[8][9] He was 37 years old.