Scarve

Formed in Nancy, France, during 1994, the self-described “new age death metal band” Scarve began under the guidance of rhythm guitarist Patrick Martin and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. Verbeuren quickly emerged as one of extreme metal’s most sought-after percussionists, contributing his skills to numerous European acts such as Mortuary and Soilwork in subsequent years, yet he remained committed to Scarve through the relentless personnel shifts that defined the group until the release of their 1996 EP Six Tears of Sorrow. Scarve ranked among the earliest metal outfits to deploy two contrasting lead vocalists—one clean, one harsh—an approach first documented on the 1998 EP Opacity, which also introduced Fred Bartolomucci on vocals, Alain Germonville on vocals, Sylvain Coudret on guitars, and Julien Thibers on bass. At that stage the band’s direction was unmistakable: they sought to extend the technological and industrial leanings already explored by Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory. After inking a deal with Furtive Metal, Scarve issued their first full-length album, 2000’s Translucence, featuring bassist Philippe Elter and vocalist Guillaume Bideau—the latter replacing Bartolomucci—under the production of Daniel Bergstrand, whose résumé includes Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, and In Flames. Bergstrand returned to the helm for the band’s next two futuristic efforts, 2002’s Luminiferous and 2004’s Irradiant, both issued via France’s Listenable Records; the latter album also welcomed vocalist Pierrick Valence and bassist Loïc Colin into the fold.