Abscess

Metal enthusiasts anticipated a fresh punk-tinged death metal outfit carrying forward the macabre humor that had defined Autopsy once that band dissolved. Drummer Chris Reifert and guitarist Danny Coralles, both formerly of Autopsy, resolved to push the concept further by recruiting guitarist and bassist Clint Bower. The resulting trio, Abscess, pursued a tighter, grindcore-leaning direction while slowly shaping and demoing new songs. Impressed by the recordings, Relapse Records issued the material unchanged in 1995 under the title Urine Junkies. Its grotesque artwork barred the release from most retail outlets, prompting the label to issue the following year’s Seminal Vampires & Maggotmen with artwork that remained bizarre yet less repellent. After delivering one final Relapse EP, Throbbing Black Werebeast, the band was dropped and left without a home. They spent the ensuing years refining fresh material in rehearsal, attracting renewed label interest by 1999. Listenable Records ultimately signed Abscess and released Tormented in 2001. A handful of underground singles sustained momentum during touring, after which Peaceville Records lured the group and issued Through the Cracks of Death in 2002. Bassist Joe Allen joined shortly thereafter, just before the band hit the road in support of that album.