8 Foot Sativa

8 Foot Sativa took its name from the cannabis sativa plant and emerged as a heavy metal outfit from New Zealand. Persistent personnel shifts, among them several vocalist replacements, produced corresponding changes in approach that moved between thrash and death metal while occasionally incorporating black metal elements. Even longtime supporters struggle to assign the group to one consistent subgenre, yet a dedicated following has endured, establishing 8 Foot Sativa among the country’s most prominent heavy metal acts.

The sole constant through these upheavals, guitarist Gary Smith, assembled the project at Massey High School in Auckland by drawing on a succession of school friends. Early activity centered on covers of Iron Maiden, Sepultura, and Judas Priest before the musicians turned to original material. During this period Justin “Jackammer” Niessen, who had been attending shows as an underage admirer, came aboard as vocalist, and the lineup stabilized with Brent Fox handling bass alongside Peter “Speed” Young on drums.

Hate Made Me appeared in 2002 through Intergalactic Records; sales exceeded projections and the album eventually earned gold certification, while its self-titled track became the band’s defining release. Shortly afterward Peter Young departed, and Sam Sheppard, formerly of Sinate, took the drum chair for the follow-up Season for Assault, issued in 2003. Immediately prior to the scheduled flight to Sweden for sessions at Studio Underground, Justin Niessen exited; Matt Sheppard, Sam’s brother and another Sinate alumnus, stepped in. This configuration completed Breed the Pain in 2005, after which the Sheppard siblings withdrew to revive their earlier group.

For the subsequent tour Niessen returned on a temporary basis while Corey Friedlander assumed drumming duties, and second guitarist William Cleverdon joined; only Cleverdon remained when work began on the next record. Poison of Ages featured Ben Read, previously of Ulcerate and Kill Me Quickly, as vocalist, with Steven Westerburg replacing the injured Friedlander on drums, and the album was once more tracked in Sweden. Contractual difficulties with the promoter postponed its release, during which interval further changes occurred: Jamie Saint Merat became drummer, Christian Humphreys took Cleverdon’s place after the latter developed severe wrist arthritis, and founding bassist and manager Brent Fox departed in favor of Rommilly Smith.