Poltergeist (band)

Poltergeist
Background information
Origin Switzerland, Liestal, Basel-Country
Genres Power metal, Thrash metal, Heavy metal
Years active 1985-1987 (Carrion)
1987-1993, 2013-Present (Poltergeist)
Labels Century Media Records, Haunted House Records (Poltergeist)
SriLanca (Carrion)

Poltergeist, originally Carrion,[1][2] is a Swiss power/thrash metal band that played from 1985 to 1993, and is now active as of 2013. Carrion made a total of two demos and one full length album under SriLanca Records. Poltergeist made a total of two full-length albums and three demos under Century Media Records.[3] They also made a single and a full-length album under Haunted House Records.[4] It is currently unknown if Poltergeist is signed to a label or working on a new album.

History

The band was founded in 1985 as Carrion by guitarist and vocalist V.O. Pulver.[5] Carrion was not renamed to Poltergeist until the studio recording of Poltergeist's first demo in 1987.[6] Carrion was "underground" and was signed under Gama/Sri Lanca Records, a small record company in Germany.[7] Carrion's appearance was heavily influenced by glam metal, which was popular at the time. After the name change to Poltergeist, the departure of three other band members, and the addition of new singer André Grieder, the band changed drastically in terms of appearance and style. Poltergeist gained a cult following after the release of their first two albums, but became more well known after singer André Grieder recorded vocals on the Cracked Brain album for the popular thrash metal band Destruction.[8] Poltergeist's albums were critically viewed as "good, but not good enough to set them apart."[9][10][11] and the band broke up following the release of their final album in 1993. At the end of 2013, Poltergeist announced their reunion. The line-up consists of V.O. Pulver, André Grieder, Marek Felis, Chasper Wanner, and Sven Vormann.

Style

As Carrion, Evil is There! had a raw and edgy sound, which included harsh and erratic drum beats and vocals, as well as catchy riffs from the guitars. With a line up change and a new vocalist, the newly named Poltergeist's style began as a mix between power metal and thrash metal in their debut album Depression. They decided to focus on thrash metal in their second album Behind My Mask, which included more blast beats and less vocal chords. Their third and final album, Nothing Lasts Forever, included more technicality due to star drummer Peter Haas,[12] as well as deeper and more prominent guitar and vocal chords.

Members

Line-up

Former members

Guitar
Bass
Drums

Discography

Studio albums

Demos

Singles

Post 1993 break-up

V.O. Pulver and Marek Felis formed the still-active heavy metal band Gurd in 1994.[13] Drummer Peter Haas played in the bands Mekong Delta, Babylon Sad, Calhoun Conquer, Krokus, Clockwork, Ain't Dead Yet, and Coroner.[14] Former drummer Rolf Heer played for Braindead and Messiah.[15] Former drummer Alex Lang played for the short-lived thrash band Cryonix.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Carrion (band)". Encyclopedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Poltergeist (band)". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Century Media Records". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "Haunted House". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum.
  5. ↑ "V.O. Pulver". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Poltergeist - 1st Demo". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "SriLanca". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Destruction Discography". Music Sammler. Music Sammler. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Behind My Mask Review". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "Nothing Lasts Forever Review". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  11. ↑ "Poltergeist (band)". Poltergeist. The BNR Metal Pages. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  12. ↑ Pulver, V.O. "V.O. Pulver's Website". V.O. Pulver. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "Gurd (band)". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Peter Haas". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  15. ↑ "Rolf Heer". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Alex Lang". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Poltergeist (band).