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Incantation (American band)

{{Short description|American death metal band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Incantation

| image = Incantation Party.San Metal Open Air 2019 02.jpg

| image_upright = 1.25

| caption = Incantation performing in 2019

| origin = Fairlawn, New Jersey, U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|Death metal|death-doom|blackened death metal{{cite web | url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2009/02/17/incantation-onward-to-golgotha/ | title=Incantation – "Onward to Golgotha" | quote=By 1989, John McEntee was growing increasingly disenchanted with his membership in technical thrash band Revenant. With the aid of Revenant drummer Paul Ledney, McEntee set out to pursue his own brand of blackened death metal, christening it Incantation.}}|doom metal{{cite web | url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2009/02/17/incantation-onward-to-golgotha/ | title=Incantation – "Onward to Golgotha" | quote=Enter Incantation’s Onward to Golgotha, 42 pounding minutes of swarming guitars, blasting darkness and crushing doom}}}}

| years_active = 1989–present

| associated_acts = {{hlist|Immolation|Malevolent Creation|Suffocation}}

| label = {{hlist|Seraphic Decay|Relapse|Necropolis|Olympic|Listenable|Ibex Moon}}

| website = {{URL|incantation.com}}

| current_members = John McEntee
Chuck Sherwood
Kyle Severn
Luke Shively

}}

Incantation is an American death metal band formed by John McEntee and Paul Ledney in 1989. Despite the band's members currently residing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Incantation are considered leaders in the New York City death metal scene along with Suffocation, Mortician and Immolation.

To date, the band has released twelve full-length albums, two live albums, four EPs, two singles, three split-EPs, one DVD, and three demos. Their most recent album, Unholy Deification, was released through Relapse Records in August 2023. The band have maintained a significant cult following and underground popularity since the '90s.{{Cite web|url=http://www.invisibleoranges.com/grave-upheaval-have-we-reached-peak-murkiness/|title=Grave Upheaval: have we reached peak murkiness?|website=Invisible Oranges - The Metal Blog|language=en-US|access-date=August 19, 2017}}

Guitarist and vocalist John McEntee is the sole founding member of Incantation, though drummer Kyle Severn has appeared on every studio album since their third full-length, Diabolical Conquest.

History

Guitarist and vocalist John McEntee previously played in a thrash metal band called Revenant.{{Cite web |last=Pessaro |first=Fred |title=Incantation on Humble Beginnings and Nazi Sympathizing Allegations |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/incantation-humble-beginnings-and-nazi-sympathizing-allegations/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Revolver |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Decibel |date=2009-02-17 |title=Incantation - "Onward to Golgotha" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2009/02/17/incantation-onward-to-golgotha/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}} Incantation first came to prominence with Onward to Golgotha and Mortal Throne of Nazarene, both of which feature Craig Pillard on vocals. Following the release of the Forsaken Mourning of Angelic Anguish EP in 1997, Pillard departed the band and was replaced by Daniel Corchado of The Chasm. Corchado performed on 1998's Diabolical Conquest before leaving the band, and vocalist Mike Saez performed on the two following albums, The Infernal Storm (2000) and Blasphemy (2002). Since Decimate Christendom, McEntee took on vocal responsibilities, a role that he continues to the present.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

After leaving Incantation, former vocalist Craig Pillard joined New Jersey death metal act Disma in 2008, from which he was fired in 2019 due to allegations of Nazi sympathies.{{Cite web |title=DISMA Part Ways With Vocalist Craig Pillard {{!}} Comments |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/31075/disma-part-ways-with-vocalist-craig-pillard/comments/?jw_start=%7Bseek_to_second_number%7D |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=lambgoat.com |language=en}} The members of Incantation defended themselves after coming under fire due to their prior association with him, affirming they had no knowledge of his political leanings until two years after he had left the band.

Style, influences and legacy

Thom Jurek of AllMusic described Incantation's sound as "ferocious" and "mercilessly brutal", and categorized the band's style as a fusion of death metal, black metal, and grindcore. He added that the band utilizes "punishing" guitar riffs and "widely varying tempos".{{Cite web |title=Incantation Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/incantation-mn0000083787#biography |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=AllMusic |language=en}} Incantation has also been noted for elements of doom metal present in their music.{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe|date=2017-11-07 |title=15 Sick Death Metal Albums That Turned 25 in 2017 |url=https://loudwire.com/death-metal-albums-25-2017/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Decibel |date=2009-02-17 |title=Incantation - "Onward to Golgotha" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2009/02/17/incantation-onward-to-golgotha/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}} The band often employs slow and down-tuned passages, similar to the death-doom style of bands like Autopsy. In an interview with Revolver, guitarist and vocalist John McEntee said "We always said that the riff itself isn’t important, it’s the feeling you get when you hear the riff".

Incantation's lyrical content frequently draws on anti-Christian, Satanic, and occult themes.

The band has cited Necrophagia, Possessed, Destruction, Sepultura,Kreator and Sarcófago as influences.

Incantation are considered to be highly influential on a range of later death metal bands including Dead Congregation, Grave Miasma, and Portal, who are often described as "cavernous death metal".

Band members

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Current

  • John McEntee – lead guitar {{small|(1989–2008, 2019–2020)}}, rhythm guitar {{small|(1990, 1994–1999, 2002–present)}}, vocals {{small|(2002–present)}}
  • Kyle Severn – drums {{small|(1994–1998, 2000–2007, 2009–present)}}
  • Chuck Sherwood – bass {{small|(2008–present)}}
  • Luke Shively – lead guitar {{small|(2020–present)}}

Former members

  • Brett Makowski – rhythm guitar {{small|(1989–1990)}}
  • Aragon Amori – bass {{small|(1989–1990; died 1996)}}
  • Paul Ledney – drums, vocals {{small|(1989–1990)}}
  • Sal Seijo – drums {{small|(1990)}}
  • Peter Barnevic – drums {{small|(1990)}}
  • Will Rahmer – vocals {{small|(1990)}}
  • Ronnie Deo – bass {{small|(1990–1992; died 2022)}}
  • Jim Roe – drums {{small|(1990–1993, 2007–2008)}}
  • Craig Pillard – vocals, rhythm guitar {{small|(1990–1994)}}
  • Dan Kamp – bass {{small|(1993)}}
  • Daniel Corchado – bass, vocals {{small|(1995–1998)}}
  • Rob Yench – bass {{small|(1998–2001)}}
  • Mike Saez – vocals, rhythm guitar {{small|(1998–2002)}}
  • Joe Lombard – bass {{small|(2001–2006; died 2012)}}
  • Alex Bouks – lead guitar {{small|(2008–2014)}}
  • Sonny Lombardozzi – lead guitar {{small|(2014–2019)}}, rhythm and lead guitar {{small|(touring 2003)}}

{{col-2}}

Live musicians

  • Bill Venner – rhythm and lead guitar {{small|(1990)}}
  • Dave Niedrist – bass {{small|(1993–1994)}}
  • Randy Scott – bass {{small|(1994)}}
  • Duane Morris – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1994–1995)}}
  • Mike Donnelly – bass {{small|(1995)}}
  • Mary Ciullo – bass {{small|(1996)}}
  • Nathan Rossi – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1996)}}
  • Kevin Hughes – bass {{small|(1996–1997)}}
  • Clay Lytle – drums {{small|(1998)}}
  • Tom Stevens – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1998–1999)}}
  • Rick Boast – drums {{small|(1999)}}
  • Richard Christy – drums {{small|(2000)}}
  • Bill "Belial" Koblak – vocals, rhythm and lead guitar {{small|(2002)}}
  • Vincent Crowley – vocals {{small|(2002)}}
  • Rigel Walshe – bass {{small|(2006)}}
  • Roberto Lizárraga – bass {{small|(2006–2009)}}
  • Reyash – bass {{small|(2007, 2014)}}
  • Jacob Shively – bass {{small|(2015)}}
  • Luke Shively – bass {{small|(2015-2020)}}
  • Dan Grainger – drums {{small|(2018)}}
  • Charlie Koryn - drums {{small | (2019 - present)}}
  • Scott Pivarnick – bass {{small|(2022)}}
  • Dan Vadim Von - bass {{Small | (2022 - 2023)}}

{{Col-end}}

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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PlotArea =left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:0

Alignbars =justify

DateFormat =mm/dd/yyyy

Period =from:01/01/1989 till:{{#time: m/d/Y }}

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ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1989

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Legend =orientation:horizontal position:bottom

Colors=

id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals

id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar

id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

id:bars value:gray(0.95)

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layer:back

color:studio

at:05/05/1992

at:06/01/1994

at:04/28/1998

at:05/09/2000

at:06/12/2002

at:07/27/2004

at:10/16/2006

at:11/26/2012

at:06/10/2014

at:08/10/2017

at:08/21/2020

at:08/25/2023

BackgroundColors= bars:bars

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bar:Paul text:"Paul Ledney"

bar:Will text:"Will Rahmer"

bar:Craig text:"Craig Pillard"

bar:Daniel text:"Daniel Corchado"

bar:Mike text:"Mike Saez"

bar:John text:"John McEntee"

bar:Alex text:"Alex Bouks"

bar:Sonny text:"Sonny Lombardozzi"

bar:Luke text:"Luke Shively"

bar:Brett text:"Brett Makowski"

bar:Aragon text:"Aragon Amori"

bar:Ronnie text:"Ronnie Deo"

bar:Dan text:"Dan Kamp"

bar:Robert text:"Robert Yench"

bar:Joe text:"Joe Lombard"

bar:Chuck text:"Chuck Sherwood"

bar:Peter text:"Peter Barnevic"

bar:Sal text:"Sal Seijo"

bar:Jim text:"Jim Roe"

bar:Kyle text:"Kyle Severn"

PlotData =

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Paul from:start till:05/01/1990 color:drums width:3

bar:Paul from:start till:05/01/1990 color:vocals

bar:Will from:05/01/1990 till:11/01/1990 color:vocals

bar:Craig from:11/01/1990 till:01/01/1995 color:rhythm width:3

bar:Craig from:11/01/1990 till:01/01/1995 color:vocals

bar:Daniel from:01/01/1995 till:08/01/1998 color:bass width:3

bar:Daniel from:01/01/1995 till:08/01/1998 color:vocals

bar:Mike from:08/01/1998 till:11/01/2002 color:rhythm width:3

bar:Mike from:08/01/1998 till:11/01/2002 color:vocals

bar:John from:start till:11/01/2002 color:lead

bar:John from:05/01/1990 till:11/01/1990 color:rhythm width:3

bar:John from:01/01/1995 till:08/01/1998 color:rhythm width:3

bar:John from:11/01/2002 till:end color:rhythm width:3

bar:John from:11/01/2002 till:end color:vocals

bar:John from:11/01/2002 till:09/01/2007 color:lead width:7

bar:John from:12/23/2019 till:07/15/2020 color:lead width:7

bar:Brett from:start till:05/01/1990 color:rhythm

bar:Alex from:09/01/2007 till:10/01/2014 color:lead

bar:Sonny from:10/01/2014 till:12/23/2019 color:lead

bar:Luke from:07/15/2020 till:end color:lead

bar:Aragon from:start till:05/01/1990 color:bass

bar:Ronnie from:05/01/1990 till:10/01/1992 color:bass

bar:Dan from:01/01/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:bass

bar:Robert from:08/01/1998 till:06/01/2001 color:bass

bar:Joe from:06/01/2001 till:12/01/2006 color:bass

bar:Chuck from:07/01/2008 till:end color:bass

bar:Peter from:05/01/1990 till:07/01/1990 color:drums

bar:Sal from:03/01/1990 till:08/31/1990 color:drums

bar:Jim from:09/01/1990 till:12/28/1993 color:drums

bar:Jim from:12/01/2007 till:02/01/2009 color:drums

bar:Kyle from:10/01/1994 till:11/01/1998 color:drums

bar:Kyle from:01/01/2000 till:06/01/2007 color:drums

bar:Kyle from:02/01/2009 till:end color:drums

}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

=Compilation albums=

  • XXV (2016)
  • Unholy Massacre (2016)
  • Tricennial of Blasphemy (2022)

=Rough Mix albums=

  • Upon the Throne of Apocalypse (1995)
  • Blasphemous Cremation (2008)

=EPs=

  • Entrantment of Evil (1990)
  • Deliverance of Horrific Prophecies (1991)
  • The Forsaken Mourning of Angelic Anguish (1997)
  • Blasphemous Cremation (2008)

=Singles=

  • "Thieves of the Cloth" (2006)
  • "Scapegoat" (2010)
  • "Degeneration" (2012)

=Splits=

  • Relapse Singles Series Vol.1 (2002)
  • Relapse Singles Series Vol.3 (2004)
  • Afterparty Massacre (2011)
  • Reh & Live 1990 / Jesus Spawn (2013)

=Live albums=

  • Tribute to the Goat (1997)
  • Live Blasphemy in Brazil Tour 2001 (2001)
  • Rotting Spiritual Embodiment (2017)

References

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

  • {{cite book |last1=Purcell |first1=Natalie J. |title=Death Metal Music: The Passion and Politics of a Subculture |year=2003 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0-7864-1585-4 }}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • {{Official website|http://www.incantation.com/}}
  • {{allMusic}}

{{Incantation}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Incantation}}

Category:American death metal musical groups

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Pennsylvania

Category:Relapse Records artists

Category:Musical groups established in 1989

Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines