Despised Icon
{{short description|Canadian deathcore band}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Despised Icon
| image = Despised Icon Munich 2016 (2 von 7).jpg
| caption = From left to right: vocalists Alex Erian, Steve Marois and bassist Sebastien Piché.
| origin = Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| genre = Deathcore
| years_active = {{hlist|2002–2010|2014–present}}
| label = {{hlist|Nuclear Blast|Century Media|Galy|Relapse}}
| spinoffs = Obey the Brave
| website = {{URL|despisedicon.com}}
| current_members = * Steve Marois
- Alex Erian
- Eric Jarrin
- Alex Pelletier
- Ben Landreville
- Sebastien Piché
| past_members = * Marie-Hélène Landry
- Al Glassman
- Max Lavelle
- Yannick St-Amand
}}
Despised Icon is a Canadian deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the talent of its drummer, Alex Pelletier, who makes frequent use of the blasting technique, as well as for its dual lead vocalists; Alex Erian and Steve Marois.
In April 2010, the band disbanded, but officially re-formed six years later in April 2016 after playing reunion shows in 2014 and 2015. Collectively the group has released six full-length albums while succumbing to very few lineup changes throughout their run.
History
=''Consumed by Your Poison'' (2002–2004)=
Despised Icon was founded in January 2002 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Shortly after their formation, the group signed with Galy Records, and released their debut album, Consumed by Your Poison in October of that year.{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p698588|pure_url=yes}}|title=Despised Icon > Biography|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|publisher=allmusic|access-date=October 13, 2008}} The following year, Despised Icon had undergone several changes in their lineup. In early 2004, the group returned with a new formation, consisting of two vocalists Steve Marois and Alex Erian, guitarists Yannick St-Amand and Eric Jarrin, bassist Sebastien Piche, and drummer Alex Pelletier, and recorded a self-financed EP entitled Syndicated Murderers, followed by a split EP with Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus, issued through Relapse Records.{{cite web |url=http://www.centurymedia.com/us/single_artist.php?ID=12 |title=Century Media Records |access-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014523/http://www.centurymedia.com/us/single_artist.php?ID=12 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }} Century Media Records published Despised Icon biography[http://www.galyrecords.com/file-despisedicon.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105015955/http://www.galyrecords.com/file-despisedicon.html|date=November 5, 2013}} Galy Records published Despised Icon biography
[http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10137] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031080326/http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10137|date=October 31, 2010}} Relapse Records published Despised Icon biography
=''The Healing Process'' (2005–2006)=
Despised Icon signed a worldwide deal with Century Media in January 2005. Despised Icon released their second studio album, The Healing Process through the label on April 5, 2005. It was produced by the band's guitarist Yannick St-Amand, mixed by Jean-Francois Dagenais and mastered by Alan Douches.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=31384 |title=Despised Icon sign Worldwide deal with Century Media Records |access-date=June 26, 2008 |date=January 11, 2005 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201200006/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=31384 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 }}
Despised Icon toured in support of The Healing Process in 2005, alongside artists including Cryptopsy, Quo Vadis, Vader, Suffocation, Aborted, Immolation, Deicide and continued touring into 2006 with Through the Eyes of the Dead, Ed Gein, Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Hatebreed, Exodus, The Black Dahlia Murder and Napalm Death. During the same year, their debut album, Consumed by Your Poison was re-released through Century Media. In early 2007, they went on tour supporting Unearth, along with Job for a Cowboy and Dååth.
=''The Ills of Modern Man'', ''Day of Mourning'', and breakup (2007–2010)=
The band's third studio album, The Ills of Modern Man was recorded and released in 2007 through Century Media Records and was produced by their former guitarist, Yannick St. Amand.Bowar, Chad [http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/despisediconint.htm "Despised Icon Interview"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620203138/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/despisediconint.htm |date=June 20, 2017 }} 2007 That summer, they toured supporting Job for a Cowboy along with The Faceless and A Life Once Lost. Following that tour, they went on tour supporting Suicide Silence, along with Winds of Plague. In the winter of that year, they toured with The Acacia Strain, Full Blown Chaos, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, and Ligeia. They also toured supporting Misery Index, along with Beneath the Massacre and Man Must Die. On June 18, 2008, the original bassist Sebastien Piché has left the band due to him having a full-time job and being a new father. Piché was replaced by Max Lavelle from Goratory. They were then on the 2008 Summer Slaughter Tour alongside The Black Dahlia Murder, Vader, Cryptopsy, The Faceless, Aborted, Born of Osiris, Psycroptic, and Whitechapel.
In late October 2008, Despised Icon announced the details of their first DVD, entitled Montreal Assault, which was released January 27, 2009. The DVD features a multi-camera shoot from the band's sold-out hometown show, along with a documentary, in addition to all their music videos.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107518|title=Despised Icon: DVD Details Revealed|date=October 23, 2008|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201195956/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107518|archive-date=December 1, 2008}} It was originally intended to be released on January 17, but was delayed due to manufacturing problems.[https://archive.today/20120907225629/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=113214 Montreal Assault Delayed] Blabbermouth In December 2008, guitarist Al Glassman left Despised Icon to join Job for a Cowboy in replacement of their original guitarist Ravi Bhadriraju.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/page-not-found|title=Roadrunner Records Page Not Found|website=Roadrunner Records Official Website|access-date=May 6, 2017}}
During their 2009 Montreal Assault Tour, Despised Icon announced that they were recording a new studio album, entitled Day of Mourning, that was released on September 22, 2009 by Century Media Records.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BlabberMouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121297|title=Despised Icon to Release Day of Mourning in September|date=June 3, 2009|work=Blabbermouth.net|publisher=Roadrunner Records|access-date=July 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606090608/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121297|archive-date=June 6, 2011}} On July 17, 2009, Despised Icon released their song, "MVP" as the first song off of Day of Mourning onto the web. They played on the 2009 Thrash and Burn Tour alongside DevilDriver, Emmure, Veil of Maya, For the Fallen Dreams, Oceano, Periphery, MyChildren MyBride, and Thy Will Be Done. Their fourth album Day of Mourning was released as scheduled on September 22, 2009, and reached No. 162 on the Billboard 200 as of September 30, 2009. A music video was created and released for the title track of the album.
On April 7, 2010, Despised Icon made an announcement that they will be disbanding. They
explained that this is due to the members of the band reaching "a new chapter in their lives, starting families, buying houses and pursuing other careers to make it all happen. Writing music, touring and leaving home for months at a time is slowly becoming impossible because of that. We all decided that it’d be best to pull the plug now and end things right."{{cite web|url=http://www.despisedicon.com/news.php|title=DESPISED ICON : Official Website|access-date=May 6, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217042420/http://www.despisedicon.com/news.php|archive-date=February 17, 2010}}[http://www.theprp.com/2010/04/07/news/despised-icon-to-call-it-a-day/ "Despised Icon To Call It A Day"], ThePRP.com, April 7, 2010, Retrieved on April 7, 2010 Their farewell European tour included an appearance at the Hevy Music Festival on August 7, 2010 near Folkestone, UK.
During the year of 2010, Despised Icon played their United States, Australia, Japan, European, and Canadian Tour. On December 2, 2010, Despised Icon performed their final four shows in Toronto (December 2 and 3) along with The Acacia Strain, Ion Dissonance and Oceano, Ontario and their hometown of Montreal, Quebec (December 4 and 5). These shows included their current line-up as well as the past line-ups from their first two records.{{cite web|url=http://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=9371&IdCompany=2|title=Century Media Records - Despised Icon: : Issue Final Statement Before The Last Six Shows of Their Career|website=www.centurymedia.com|access-date=May 6, 2017|archive-date=July 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724134648/http://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=9371&IdCompany=2|url-status=dead}} Since the disbandment, Alexandre Erian went on to form the metalcore band, Obey the Brave, along with former Blind Witness bassist, Miguel Lepage, and guitarist, John Campbell as well as Darkness Rites guitarist, Greg Wood and drummer, Stevie Morotti.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/01/18/alex-erian-used-to-be-despised-but-now-hes-brave/|title=ALEX ERIAN USED TO BE DESPISED, BUT NOW, HE'S BRAVE|date=January 18, 2012|website=MetalSucks|access-date=May 6, 2017}} Max Lavelle now plays bass for The Black Dahlia Murder.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuueuHfd-GY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/WuueuHfd-GY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Black Dahlia Murder introduce new bassist Max Lavelle|last=blackdahliamurdertv|date=April 30, 2012|access-date=May 6, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Eric Jarrin rejoined his progressive band Heaven's Cry with whom he was performing when he founded Despised Icon. They released an album entitled Wheels of Impermanence through Prosthetic Records in September 2012.
=Reunion shows, comeback and ''Beast'' (2014–2018)=
On February 4, 2014, the band announced via their Facebook page that they would reunite to play several live shows in the upcoming spring. The band would consist of all members of The Healing Process era with the exception of Ben Landreville on guitar.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/despised-icon-announces-reunion-shows/|title=DESPISED ICON Announces Reunion Shows|date=February 4, 2014|access-date=May 6, 2017}} Founding member Yannick St. Amand returned to handle the band's audio samples and live sound, thus making the group a septet for the first time.
In April 2014, they participated in the Impericon Festival Tour across Europe and also headlined a handful of shows with support from Brutality Will Prevail and Cerebral Bore. They also performed at Montebello's Amnesia Rockfest in Canada on June 20, 2014.
They closed the year 2014 with 4 North American concerts on the east coast, playing Montreal, Toronto, New York City and Worcester in December.
On April 6, 2015, the band announced via their Facebook page that to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the release of their album The Healing Process, the band would be performing exclusive shows at U.K.'s Ghostfest and in Canada at Quebec City's Envol & Macadam Festival.{{cite web|url=http://lambgoat.com/news/comments.aspx?id=24526/|title=Comments - Lambgoat|website=lambgoat.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}
On April 12, 2016, the band announced via their Facebook page that after signing a deal with record label Nuclear Blast, they were officially back as a permanent band. They released a short video with a snippet of unreleased material. Their fifth studio album titled Beast was released on July 22, 2016.
=''Purgatory'' and ''Déterré'' EP (2019–present)=
On September 20, The band embarked on a massive North American tour to promote their upcoming album Purgatory.{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/despised-icon-kublai-khan-ingested-shadow-of-intent-announce-north-american-tour|title=DESPISED ICON, KUBLAI KHAN, INGESTED & SHADOW OF INTENT Announce North American Tour|date=June 5, 2019|website=Metal Injection}}
Their sixth full-length album, Purgatory, was released on November 15, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/despised-icon-to-release-purgatory-album-in-november/|title=DESPISED ICON To Release 'Purgatory' Album In November|date=September 6, 2019|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}
On October 28, 2022, the band released an EP titled Déterré, which consists of five re-released early tracks.{{cite web|author=Ellis Heasley|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/despised-icon-announce-new-rarities-ep-deterre/|title=Despised Icon announce new rarities EP 'Déterré'|website=Distorted Sound|access-date=September 5, 2022|date=September 2, 2022}}
Members
Current members
- Steve Marois – vocals (2002–2010, 2014–present)
- Alex Erian – vocals (2004–2010, 2014–present); drums (2002–2004)
- Eric Jarrin – lead guitar (2002–2010, 2014–present)
- Sebastien Piché – bass (2002–2008, 2014–present)
- Alex Pelletier – drums (2004–2010, 2014–present)
- Ben Landreville – rhythm guitar (2009–2010, 2014–present)
Former members
- Yannick St-Amand – samples, media (2002–2006, 2014–2019); rhythm guitar (2002–2006)
- Marie-Hélène Landry – vocals (2002–2003)
- Al Glassman – rhythm guitar (2006–2008)
- Max Lavelle – bass (2008–2010)
Timeline
{{#tag:timeline|
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id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:samples value:purple legend:Samples,_media
id:album value:black legend:Studio_album
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at:05/04/2005
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at:11/01/2005
at:01/01/2006
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bar:glassman text:"Al Glassman"
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Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Album details ! colspan="2"|Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US {{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=despised icon|chart=Billboard 200}} |title=Despised Icon – Chart History: Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=January 21, 2014}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US |
|---|
| scope="row"| 2002
|align=left| Consumed by Your Poison
| — || — |
| scope="row"| 2005
|align=left| The Healing Process
| — || — |
| scope="row"| 2007
|align=left| The Ills of Modern Man
| — || 28 |
| scope="row"| 2009
|align=left| Day of Mourning
| 162 || 6 |
| scope="row"| 2016
|align=left| Beast
| — || 2 |
| scope="row"| 2019
|align=left| Purgatory
| — || — |
| colspan="5" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart |
=DVDs=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! width="250"| Album details |
|---|
2009
|
=Other releases=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year ! Album details ! Notes |
| 2004
|Syndicated Murderers
|
|
|---|
| 2005
|Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus and Despised Icon
|
|
| 2006
|Demos 2002 & 2004
|
|
| 2022
|Déterré
|
|
Music videos
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.despisedicon.com}}
{{Despised Icon}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Canadian death metal musical groups
Category:Musical groups from Montreal
Category:Relapse Records artists
Category:Century Media Records artists
Category:Nuclear Blast artists
Category:English-language musical groups from Quebec
Category:Musical groups established in 2002
Category:2002 establishments in Quebec
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2010