Vile

Emerging in 1996 from the remains of assorted local acts in Concord, CA, the death/black metal band Vile—distinct from the New York doom group that shares the name—blends blistering tempos, raw guttural force, and notable technical skill into a punishing approach that recalls Suffocation and Nile. After issuing a pair of demos, vocalist Juan Urteaga, guitarists Colin Davis and Aaron Strong, bassist Jef Hughell, and drummer Mike Hampton (later succeeded by Tyson Jupin) released their debut album Stench of the Deceased in 1999. The band then secured a deal with Unique Leader, which yielded the follow-up Depopulate in 2002. Urteaga and Strong have since exited, although various replacements assisted on U.S. and European tours throughout 2004.