Dope

Hailing from New York City, Dope merges heavy metal and industrial elements into confrontational material that recalls Ministry, Skinny Puppy, and White Zombie. The ensemble first appeared in 1999 with the hard-hitting Felons and Revolutionaries, later sustaining its post-industrial direction on American Apathy in 2005 and Blood Money, Part 1 in 2018 while folding in touches of speed, alternative, rap, and nu-metal.

Edsel Dope on lead vocals and rhythm guitar teamed with keyboardist Simon Dope to form the quintet in the Chicago area. Simon had studied chemistry at the University of Florida before securing a scholarship to Polytechnic in Brooklyn, where his brother arrived and the pair reportedly funded early demos through drug sales. The starting roster featured lead guitarist Tripp Eisen, bassist Acey Slade, and drummer Preston Nash, who began a selective run of live shows in late 1997. In October 1998 Flip Records signed the group and arranged a production agreement with Epic.

Released in September 1999, Felons and Revolutionaries became Dope’s debut and strongest seller to date. Following the tour the Dope brothers overhauled the lineup, moving Slade to guitar and adding original bassist Sloane Jentry, guitarist Virus, and drummer Sketchy Shay. Their second album, Life, appeared in fall 2001. Two years later the band signed with Artemis and delivered the nu-metal-leaning Group Therapy. American Apathy arrived in summer 2005, containing covers of Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” and N.W.A’s “Fuck tha Police,” and topped the Billboard Heatseekers chart upon release. No Regrets followed four years later with a guest spot from Zakk Wylde. After a lengthy break the classic lineup of Edsel Dope, Acey Slade, Virus, and Racci Shay resurfaced with Blood Money, Pt. 1 in late 2016; the aptly titled sequel Blood Money, Pt. 2 appeared in 2019.