Doom are an English
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier p ...
band from
Birmingham
Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1. ...
whose first lineup were together from 1987 to 1990. Despite its short existence, the band is considered pivotal in the rise of
crust punk
Crust punk (also known as crust or stenchcore) is a form of music influenced by English punk rock and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the early 1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on politic ...
, a genre of
punk rock that takes influence and elements from
extreme metal. They recorded for
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent heavy metal record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw (of the bands Instigators and Civilised Society) in Dewsbury, England in 1987, who was also a one-time drummer of Sore Throat. ...
and are cited as an early precursor to
grindcore. Doom were also a favourite of
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927). The service provides national radio stations covering ...
DJ
John Peel.
History
Early history
Doom began as ''The Subverters'' with Jon Pickering (bass/vocals), Bri Doom (guitar) and Jason Hodges (drums). After Jason was replaced by new drummer
Mick Harris
Michael John Harris (born 4 October 1967) is an English musician from Birmingham. He was the drummer for Napalm Death between 1985 and 1991, and is credited for coining the term "grindcore". After Napalm Death, Harris joined Painkiller with Jo ...
the band changed their name to Doom.
This lineup played several concerts in a crossover metal style. Bri and Jon decided this wasn't the direction they wanted the band to move in. Consequently, they left the metal style of music and decided to move toward a
Discharge-influenced
crust punk
Crust punk (also known as crust or stenchcore) is a form of music influenced by English punk rock and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the early 1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on politic ...
-style that Doom became known for. At this time, Pickering dropped bass to concentrate on vocals, and Pete Nash replaced him on bass. Harris also left the band and was replaced by Tony "Stick" Dickens. The band began rehearsing with this line-up in mid 1987.
1987–1990
About this time a small label called
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent heavy metal record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw (of the bands Instigators and Civilised Society) in Dewsbury, England in 1987, who was also a one-time drummer of Sore Throat. ...
was starting up. They heard about Doom through word of mouth and asked if they were interested in contributing songs to the first Peaceville compilation ''A Vile Peace''. Doom went into the studio to record their first demo on 28 August 1987. Nash unfortunately broke his wrist just before Doom's recording debut, so bass player Jim Whitley (of
Napalm Death and Ripcord fame) filled in on the recording. Three songs were recorded (two of which appeared on ''A Vile Peace'').
On the strength of this first recording Peaceville asked Doom if they would record a full
LP for them, which they agreed to do. The ''War is Big Business'' demo was recorded on 27 November 1987, which the band sold as a cassette at gigs. In February 1988, Doom went into "Rich Bitch" studios and recorded 21 songs for their debut album ''War Crimes (Inhuman Beings)''. All this time the band gigged constantly in the UK building up a following on the way. Another demo ''Domesday'' was also produced.
At the end of 1988, due to personal commitments Bri announced that he would be leaving the band. He stayed long enough to record the split LP ''Bury the Debt – Not the Dead'' (with Swedish band No Security) on the Peaceville label. The ''Police Bastard''
EP (on discarded records) was also recorded at the same session. Doom were also invited to record two sessions for Radio One's John Peel show around this point. Bri left the band in April 1989 after completing a lengthy European tour.
Doom continued with different guitarists, most notably with Dave Talbot who co-founded UK doom metal band
Solstice
A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21. In many countr ...
with
Sore Throat
Sore throat, also known as throat pain, is pain or irritation of the throat. Usually, causes of sore throat include
* viral infections
* group A streptococcal infection (GAS) bacterial infection
* pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat)
* to ...
's vocalist Rich Walker, but did not settle with four members for long playing numerous gigs as a three piece, as Pickering turned to vocal and guitar duties. This line up continued until a final split in August 1990. Following the group's demise Pickering formed Cain, then Police Bastard, whilst drummer Stick and bassist Nash joined
Extreme Noise Terror
Extreme Noise Terror (often abbreviated to ENT) are a British extreme metal band formed in Ipswich, England in 1985 and one of the earliest and most influential crust bands. Noted for one of the earliest uses of dual vocalists in hardcore,Bon ...
. Stick then joined
DIRT
Dirt is an unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty.
Common types of dirt include:
* Debris: scattered pieces of waste or remains
* Dust: a gener ...
and Nash joined Filthkick and Cain.
1990s
The band reformed in 1992 with the earlier line up of Bri, Jon, Pete and Stick. They toured Japan and recorded a 12-inch of new songs released on the label Vinyl Japan. This proved to be the last recording with this line up. About this point the band almost split up but Bri and Stick decided to continue with two new members. These being Tom Croft from Genital Deformities on vocals and Paul "Mall" Mallen on bass guitar. This line up recorded the split album with Selfish and a split 7-inch
EP with
Hiatus
Hiatus may refer to:
*Hiatus (anatomy), a natural fissure in a structure
* Hiatus (stratigraphy), a discontinuity in the age of strata in stratigraphy
*''Hiatus'', a genus of picture-winged flies with sole member species '' Hiatus fulvipes''
* Gl ...
. Mall left shortly afterwards (an amicable parting). He was replaced by bassist Scoot from Largactyl.
This line up recorded the split 7-inch EP ''Doomed to Extinction'' with Extinction of Mankind, the ''Fuck Peaceville'' double LP, and the ''Hail to Sweden'' 7-inch EP. This is also the line up who appear on the ''Videodoom'' video on MCR recorded on a European tour in 1994
A tour of Scandinavia was organised for September 1995, however Scoot decided not to go due to problems at home, so he was replaced by Chris Gascoigne of Blood Sucking Freaks, moving to second guitar after the tour. Tom Croft also left just before the tour and was replaced by Wayne Southworth (also of Blood Sucking Freaks). While on the Scandinavian tour Doom recorded the ''Monarchy Zoo'' 7-inch EP at
Sunlight Studios.
The band, now composed of, Stick, Bri, Wayne and Chris, went into the studio in June 1996 and recorded a full LP for Flat Earth, Called ''Rush Hour of the Gods''.
Bri would go on to join Khang, this band then evolving into Lazarus Blackstar. moved to Sweden and formed Murdered Cop and then Gloomy Sunday. Stick is also part of the band
RUIN
Ruins () are the remains of a civilization's architecture. The term refers to formerly intact structures that have fallen into a state of partial or total disrepair over time due to a variety of factors, such as lack of maintenance, deliberate ...
. Pickering went on to form Police Bastard and Haxan and Nash later formed Corvus.
2000s
On 18 March 2005 Wayne Southworth (lead singer) was found dead in his home by a friend. The cause of death was an epileptic seizure.
The band then played at the 1 in 12 club in Bradford, England one last time without Wayne Southworth in tribute of their friend.
In 2013 Doom toured Canada for the first time and released a new track ("Stripped, Whipped & Crucified, Part I") from their upcoming LP ("Corrupt Fucking System") on a compilation entitled "25 Years of Crust" via
Moshpit Tragedy.
In 2015 while Doom was on their South American tour, a stampede formed outside their show in Chile and resulted in the death of five fans.
Doom: Teníamos garantías de que el promotor tomó suficientes medidas de seguridad
ADN Radio Chile, 17 April 2015 (in Spanish).
Members
;Current members
*Brian "Bri Doom" Talbot – guitar (1987–1989, 1992–2005, 2010–present)
*Tony "Stick" Dickens – drums (1987–1990, 1992–2005, 2010–present)
*Michael "Scoot" Gladok – bass (1992–1995, 1995–2005, 2010–present); guitar (1995)
*Denis Boardman – vocals (1995–2000, 2010–present); guitar (1995–2000)
;Touring members
*Jim Whitley – bass (1988)
;Former members
*Jon Pickering – vocals (1987–1990, 1992); bass (1987); guitar (1989–1990, 1992)
*Karl Willetts – vocals (1988)
*Paul Halmshaw – vocals (1989)
*Tom Croft – vocals (1992–1995)
*Wayne Southworth – vocals (1995–2005; died 2005)
*David Talbot – guitars (1989)
*Pete Nash – bass, vocals (1987–1990, 1992)
*Paul "Mall" Mallen – bass (1992)
*Chris Gascoigne – bass (1995)
*Andy Irving – bass (2004–2005)
*Jason Hodges – drums (1987)
*Mick Harris
Michael John Harris (born 4 October 1967) is an English musician from Birmingham. He was the drummer for Napalm Death between 1985 and 1991, and is credited for coining the term "grindcore". After Napalm Death, Harris joined Painkiller with Jo ...
– drums (1987)
*David "Sned" Sneddon – drums
Timeline
Discography
Albums
*''War Crimes (Inhuman Beings)'' LP (1988, Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent heavy metal record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw (of the bands Instigators and Civilised Society) in Dewsbury, England in 1987, who was also a one-time drummer of Sore Throat. ...
)
*''Bury the Debt – Not the Dead'' split LP w/ No Security
''No Security'' is a live album by the Rolling Stones released by Virgin Records in 1998. Recorded over the course of the band's 1997–1998 worldwide Bridges to Babylon Tour, it was the band's eighth official full-length live release.
Not ...
(1989, Peaceville Records)
*''The Greatest Invention'' LP/CD (1993, Vinyl Japan)
*''Pro-Life Control'' split LP/CD w/ Selfish
Selfishness is being concerned excessively or exclusively, for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others.
Selfishness is the opposite of altruism or selflessness; and has also been contrasted (as by C. S. Lewis) w ...
(1994, Ecocentric Records)
*''Rush Hour of the Gods'' LP/CD (1996, Flat Earth)
*''World of Shit'' LP/CD (2001, Vinyl Japan)
*''Corrupt Fucking System'' LP (2013, Black Cloud)
EPs/Demos
*''War is Big Business'' Demo Tape (1987, discarded tapes)
*''Police Bastard'' 7-inch (1989, Profane Existence
Profane Existence is a Minneapolis-based anarcho-punk collective. Established in 1989, the collective publishes a nationally known zine (also called ''Profane Existence''), as well as releasing and distributing anarcho-punk, crust, and grindco ...
) (More than 20,000 copies sold. Second best selling crust 7-inch, after Aus-Rotten
Aus-Rotten was an American crust punk band formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Active from 1991 to 2001, its members practiced and promoted a philosophy of anarchist politics. The band included lead vocalist Dave Trenga, vocalist/guitarist Eric G ...
's "Fuck Nazi Sympathy
Aus-Rotten was an American crust punk band formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Active from 1991 to 2001, its members practiced and promoted a philosophy of anarchist politics. The band included lead vocalist Dave Trenga, vocalist/guitarist Eric G ...
")
*''Lost the Fight'' 7-inch (1993, Flat Earth/Nabate)
*''Doomed to Extinction'' split 7-inch w/ Extinction of Mankind (1994, Ecocentric Records)
*''Hail to Sweden'' 7-inch (1995, Pandora's Box)
*''Pissed Robbed & Twatted – Live in Slovenia'' 7-inch (1996, Nuclear Sun Punk)
*''Monarchy Zoo'' 7-inch/CD EP (1996, Vinyl Japan)
*split 10-inch w/ ''Cress'' (1998, Flat Earth)
*''Consumed to Death'' (2015, Black Cloud)
Compilations/re-issues
*''Total Doom'' CD (1989, Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent heavy metal record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw (of the bands Instigators and Civilised Society) in Dewsbury, England in 1987, who was also a one-time drummer of Sore Throat. ...
) Jon Pickering (vocals); Bri (guitar); Peter Nash (bass guitar); Stick (drums).
*''Doomed from the Start'' LP/CD (1992, Vinyl Japan)
*''Fuck Peaceville'' 2xLP/CD (1995, Profane Existence
Profane Existence is a Minneapolis-based anarcho-punk collective. Established in 1989, the collective publishes a nationally known zine (also called ''Profane Existence''), as well as releasing and distributing anarcho-punk, crust, and grindco ...
)
*''Peel Sessions'' CD (1996, Vinyl Japan)
*''Doomed Again'' (2012, Agipunk)
*''25 Years of Crust'' Digital Sampler (2013, Moshpit Tragedy)
Live
*''Live in Japan'' 7-inch (1992, Ecocentric Records)
*''Back & Gone Double Live'' CD & DVD Live video (2006, MCR)
Compilation appearances
*''A Vile Peace'' LP (1987, Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent heavy metal record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw (of the bands Instigators and Civilised Society) in Dewsbury, England in 1987, who was also a one-time drummer of Sore Throat. ...
)
*''Hardcore Holocaust'' (The 87-88 Peel Sessions) LP (1988, Strange Fruit Records
Strange Fruit Records was an independent record label in the United Kingdom.
The label, established by Clive Selwood and John Peel in 1986, was the primary distributor of BBC recordings, including Peel Sessions.Larkin, Colin (ed.) (1998) ''T ...
)
*''Spleurk!'' LP (1988, Meantime Records)
*''Volnitza: The Worst of the 1 in 12 Club Vol. 6/7'' 2×LP (1989, 1 in 12 Records)
*''Hardcore Holocaust II'' LP/tape (1990, Strange Fruit Records)
*''Vile Vibes'' CD – (1990, Peaceville Records)
*''Hardcore Resistance'' Tape (1991, Heed the Ball!)
*''Endless Struggle: The Worst of the 1 in 12 Club vol. 12/13'' 2×LP (1995, 1 in 12 Records)
*''Gay Pride'' 7-inch (1995, Rugger Bugger Records)
*''Aftermath'' LP/CD (1999, Aftermath Records)
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Doom
British crust and d-beat groups
Musical groups from Birmingham, West Midlands
Musical groups established in 1987
Musical groups disestablished in 2005
Musical groups reestablished in 2010
Peaceville Records artists