ATHEIST, CRYPTOPSY & more // Chinastraat // Ghent

ATHEIST (us) Atheist, a pioneering Florida-based metal band, emerged in the late 1980s, blending death metal aggression with progressive and jazz elements. Led by guitarist/vocalist Kelly Shaefer, the band's groundbreaking debut album "Piece of Time" showcased their technical prowess and innovative musical approach. Their sophomore release, "Unquestionable Presence", further solidified their reputation for complex song structures and virtuosic musicianship. Despite disbanding in the mid-'90s, Atheist's legacy endured, influencing countless metal musicians with their boundary-pushing sound. After a hiatus, Atheist made a powerful comeback, maintaining their commitment to musical innovation and securing their place as metal pioneers.

CRYPTOPSY (can) Cryptopsy, a Canadian extreme metal band, surged onto the scene in the early 1990s, hailed for their uncompromisingly brutal sound. Formed in Montreal, the band's debut album "Blasphemy Made Flesh" immediately showcased their technical prowess and ferocious approach to death metal. Known for their lightning-fast and intricate instrumentation, especially the drumming of Flo Mounier, Cryptopsy became revered within the extreme metal community. Their seminal release "None So Vile" further solidified their status, displaying their ability to meld technicality with unrelenting aggression. With a career spanning decades, Cryptopsy remains a pillar of the death metal genre, consistently pushing the boundaries of extremity and technicality.

ALMOST DEAD (us) Formed in the Bay Area in California in 2004, they take their influences from bands such as Pantera and Machine Head.

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