Akercocke

Akercocke are an English extreme metal band from London, formed in 1997 by Jason Mendonça and David Gray. The band also features Paul Scanlan and Nathanael Underwood.

History

Akercocke's first album, '' Rape of the Bastard Nazarene'', was self-released by the band in 1999. Akercocke later signed to Peaceville Records, releasing ''The Goat of Mendes'' in 2001, which reached number 4 in Terrorizer's album of the year chart. In 2003 the album '' Choronzon'' was released, through Earache Records. This album was voted number 1 metal release of the year by Terrorizer. Paul Scanlan left the band after this album, and was replaced by Matt Wilcock.

'' Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone'' was released in October 2005. On 18 January 2007, Peter Theobalds left the band, and was replaced by Peter Benjamin.

Akercocke released their fifth album, ''Antichrist'', in May 2007. Whilst touring to promote the album, due to the anti-Christian nature of the music, the band generated controversy in Northern Ireland when they scheduled a tour date in Belfast on 18 May 2007, and appeared on BBC1's debate show ''Nolan Live'' on 16 May 2007 to defend their right to play there. The band broke up in 2012 following extensive periods of inactivity. Prior to the break up, Akercocke were planning to release a DVD based on their 10-year anniversary as a band, though this was never released.

Akercocke revealed a surprise reunion as a band in 2016, featuring original lead guitarist Paul Scanlan returning to the band along with newcomer Nathanael Underwood on bass. The band posted a brand new song on YouTube, titled "Inner Sanctum" on 18 June 2017. The launch of a new official website on 25 April 2016 was followed on 26 April 2016 with the announcement of a series of reunion shows starting with Bloodstock Open Air 2016 and a full UK tour. A new album, ''Renaissance in Extremis'', was released on 25 August 2017, which was their first full-length album in a decade since 2007's ''Antichrist''. In May 2021, the band announced they had begun recording a new album.

Members

Current
* Jason Mendonça – vocals, rhythm guitar (1997–2012, 2016–present)
* David Gray – drums (1997–2012, 2016–present)
* Paul Scanlan – lead guitar (1997–2003, 2016–present)
* Sam Loynes – keyboards (2010–2012, 2016–present)
* Federico Benini – bass (2019–present)

Former
* Martin Bonsoir – keyboards (1997–2003)
* Daniel "The Ritz" Reeves – keyboards (2004–2006)
* Matt Wilcock – guitar (2004–2010)
* Peter Theobalds – bass (1997–2006)
* Peter Benjamin – bass (2006–2012)
* Rob Archibald – keyboards (2006–2010)
* Dan Knight – guitar (2010–2012)
* Nathanael Underwood – bass (2016–2018)

Timeline

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Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/2022
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1997
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1997

Colors=
id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_Vocals
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:album value:black legend:Studio_Album

BarData=
bar:Jason text:"Jason Mendonça"
bar:Paul text:"Paul Scanlan"
bar:Matt text:"Matt Wilcock"
bar:Dan text:"Dan Knight"
bar:Peter text:"Peter Theobalds"
bar:Peter2 text:"Peter Benjamin"
bar:Nathan text:"Nathanael Underwood"
bar:Federico text:"Federico Benini"
bar:David text:"David Gray"
bar:Martin text:"Martin Bonsoir"
bar:Dan2 text:"Daniel Reeves"
bar:Rob text:"Rob Archibald"
bar:Sam text:"Sam Loynes"

LineData =
layer:back
color:album
at:12/28/1999
at:09/11/2001
at:11/04/2003
at:10/10/2005
at:05/28/2007
at:08/25/2017

PlotData =
width:11
bar:Jason from:start till:04/01/2012 color:vocals
bar:Jason from:04/01/2016 till:end color:vocals
bar:Jason from:start till:04/01/2012 color:guitar width:3
bar:Jason from:04/01/2016 till:end color:guitar width:3
bar:Paul from:start till:12/31/2003 color:guitar
bar:Paul from:04/01/2016 till:end color:guitar
bar:Matt from:01/01/2004 till:10/01/2010 color:guitar
bar:Dan from:10/01/2010 till:04/01/2012 color:guitar
bar:Peter from:start till:06/01/2006 color:bass
bar:Peter2 from:06/01/2006 till:04/01/2012 color:bass
bar:Nathan from:04/01/2016 till:12/31/2018 color:bass
bar:Federico from:01/01/2019 till:end color:bass
bar:Martin from:start till:12/31/2003 color:keys
bar:Dan2 from:01/01/2004 till:06/01/2006 color:keys
bar:Rob from:06/01/2006 till:10/01/2010 color:keys
bar:Sam from:10/01/2010 till:04/01/2012 color:keys
bar:Sam from:04/01/2016 till:end color:keys
bar:David from:start till:04/01/2012 color:drums
bar:David from:04/01/2016 till:end color:drums

Discography

;Studio albums
* '' Rape of the Bastard Nazarene'' (1999)
* ''The Goat of Mendes'' (2001)
* '' Choronzon'' (2003)
* '' Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone'' (2005)
* ''Antichrist'' (2007)
* ''Renaissance in Extremis'' (2017)

References

{{Authority control

1997 establishments in England
Articles which contain graphical timelines
Blackened death metal musical groups
Earache Records artists
English black metal musical groups
English death metal musical groups
English progressive metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1997
Musical groups from London
Musical quintets