Grendel (band)

Grendel
Background information
Origin Netherlands
Genres Aggrotech, electro-industrial, EBM, hardcore techno
Years active 1997–present
Labels Infacted, Metropolis, NoiTekk
Associated acts XP8
Website
Members JD Tucker
Paul James
Sascha Pniok
Mel Allezbleu
Past members 4N174
FLRS
MRK0
M4RC
4DD2
Remnants from the album Harsh Generation
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Grendel is a Dutch music group formed in 1997. Their music is in the Aggrotech genre. Their name originates from the beast in Beowulf.[1]

Not to be confused with the Finnish power metal band or Australian Heavy Metal band of the same name.

History

Grendel was formed in 2000 by VLRK (aka JD Tucker) and released its first promo CD, which included the European dance hit, "Strangers".[2] Soon after Grendel began receiving requests for live shows and FLRS (aka Floris Noordman) joined the band, performing live synthesizing and engineering duties. Grendel was signed by the German record label NoiTekk — a sub-division of Black Rain — which released their first studio album, Inhumane Amusement, an expanded and remastered version of their demo CD.

The End of Ages EP was released in 2002 and included remixes of the title track by Feindflug, Arzt+Pfusch and God Module.

In 2003 Grendel recorded their second full-length release, Prescription: Medicide. It was album of the month in a.o. Zillo and Orkus,[2] and reached very high positions in underground charts worldwide, including number 1 position for several months on the Dutch Underground Charts.[2] It included a cover version of Zombie Nation's Kernkraft 400. Soon after the recording of this album FLRS left the band and was replaced by 4N1T4.

In 2005 Grendel recorded an EP entitled Soilbleed, including a second cover version of Kernkraft 400 entitled "Zombienation V.2k5". Problems relating to copyright clearance of the title track resulted in the re-release of the EP as Soilbleed Redux, with the track in question having been replaced by a cover of Leæther Strip's "Don't Tame Your Soul." Two new tracks were also added, "One.Eight.Zero" and a remix of "One.Eight.Zero" by Life Cried. The song features heavily sampling from the movie Full Metal Jacket.

2006 saw another line up change: 4N1T4 left on amicable terms due to personal choices while M4RC (aka Marc Martinez - formerly of Terrorfakt, Manufactura and Caustic), was recruited as live drummer and MRK0 (aka Marco Visconti - of XP8) was added as a live keyboardist.

Also in 2006, VLRK and new members found time to work on their third full length album entitled "Harsh Generation". This album marked new territory for the band, which a more matured sound and style, gaining more support and success & taking them to the top of the genre. After its release in early 2007, this album remained on top 5 positions (often peaking at no. 3) on the DAC and GEWC and remained there for maximum periods of time.

Due to the success of this album, Grendel spent the following years touring intensively worldwide and drawing increasingly larger audiences.

Eventually, in 2009, the "Chemicals + Circuitry" EP was written & recorded. This turned out to be a slight diversion from the band's familiar sound, exploring different sounds and styles. The response to their new album was positive, and Grendel again reached the top 5 position in the charts (DAC, GEWC, DUC, etc.), becoming a staple record for EBM/Industrial DJs across the globe.

In 2009 MRK0 Marco Visconti decided to leave the band for personal reasons. He has since been replaced by [S42H] (aka Sascha Pniok of the band Schallfaktor), who had previously also been filling in on keyboard since late 2008.

In 2011 4DD2 Adam Milner joined ranks with the band on electric guitar and Kitara (Misa Digital instrument).

And most recently, in 2012, Grendel released the "Timewave : Zero" album. This album is both a return to their signature sound and taking on various influences from contemporary EDM styles, such as Trance, Complex Electro and House. All of this together has created the most mature Grendel sound to date and has gained highly positive feedback from both fans and media, scoring top positions in the DAC, GEWC, mailorder sales charts and more.

In 2012 M4RC left the band.

In this same year, Mel Allezbleu joined the band on keys and backing vocals.

In July 2013, Grendel performed at the Amphi Festival in Cologne, Germany along with the likes of Funker Vogt, Suicide Commando and VNV Nation.

In 2014 grendel continued to play shows across europe, before heading to the United States for a month long tour for the first time in many years. Prior to the tour Adam Milner (4DD2) left to pursue other musical projects - He was replaced by Paul James on guitar.

So far in 2015 Grendel has played E-tropolis festival in Oberhausen Germany and is booked to co-headline at this year's Wave Gotik Treffen, as well as Terminus Festival in Calgary, Canada.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Compilations

Notes

  1. ↑ Grendel's main site retrieved August 2006
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Grendel". MySpace. Retrieved 10 October 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grendel (band).