The Grind Bastards...

Benediction Fucking Grind!

This website was last updated on: October 22, 2004

October 15, 2004:  Benediction (unofficial) website is born, cheers!

 

Biography

This section was last updated on October 22, 2004

Originally formed back in February 1989 around the line-up of Paul Adams (bass), Peter Rew (guitars), Darren Brookes (guitars) and Mark "Barney" Greenway, who later became a vocalist with Napalm Death, Birmingham based BENEDICTION draw the interest of NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS with their first demo The Dreams You Dread, which was released the same year. Their first album, Subconscious Terror saw its' release in 1990, followed by the departure of Barney, joining Napalm Death. The crashing debut was received well and a new vocalist, Dave Ingram was found soon. The band worked hard to escape the ghost of Greenway and during the ensuring extensive touring schedule 1991 saw the band back out with Bolt Thrower and Nocturnus and here Ingram really shows his metal, so much that the ghost of Greenway was condemned to death at a stroke. The band completed work on their second album, The Grand Leveller and the difference in the writing was a revelation, attracting international acclaim throughout the Death Metal Market. Having already completed one European tour with Massacra during the year between the recording and the mixing of the album, the band now took to the road again with Dismember. After that tour Paul Adams departed, fed up with the road, work, the band, it was yet another kick in the teeth for this UK band. Seemingly undeterred though, the band was back in studio in December 1991 with Darren playing bass on a new EP, Dark Is The Season, which included a punishing cover of the old Anvil stalwart Forged In Fire, and January 1992 saw the band back in Europe again with Asphyx and Bolt Thrower. Dark Is The Season was yet another big success that proved that perseverance is still a virtue to be admired in today's cut and thrust business.  Later that year they found their new bassist, Frank Healy, at that time with Cerebral Fix. Frank joined BENDICTION as a full time member just as they whisked off to Israel and a heaving Tel Aviv was his initiation.  In 1993 BENEDICTION unleashed their massive Transcend The Rubicon upon mankind. The album's release was followed by the extensive World Violation tour with Cemetery and Atheist throughout Europe, USA, Canada and again Israel. After that tour, Ian Treacy left the band due to mounting personal differences. After The Grotesque - Ashen Epitaph EP, which featured two brand new songs and three crushing live tracks Neil Hutton, an 18-year-old drumming wonder, replaced him on a permanent basis. He had his initiation on the 11 dates of the NUCLEAR BLAST NEW YEARS FESTIVALS, which took place in January 1995 and saw BENEDICTION'S awesome live performances on German, Dutch, Austrian, Swiss and Czech stages. Meanwhile the band has already put the finishing touches to their fourth full length album The Dreams You Dread. Yet another massive impact on the worldwide metal scene followed by even more skull crushing live shows.  BENEDICTION formed a close relationship with Death, touring extensively with them at Chuck Shuldiners request. Chuck is just one of many musicians who have infinite respect for BENEDICTIONS 'no-shit' approach and dedication to their genre Their next album 'Grind Bastard' was launched with yet another raging tour seeing the band break new territories in the former Eastern Block countries.  They were taken on board by TCI agency in New York who now books all of their live work and touring.  Their current album with Nuclear Blast 'Organised Chaos' was released in October 2001. Produced by Andy Sneap, it sees a welcome return to recording for them and of course, will be launched with more skull crushing live appearances throughout Europe.

 

 

News and News Archive...

This section was last update on October 22, 2004

October 2000: BENEDICTION announce their upcoming album! The album will probably be recorded until October, we will inform you about the release date as soon as possible! Expect another crushing Death Metal-album of UK's finest! Oh, by the way, the title will be "Organised Chaos"!

 

December 1999: Our British Grind Bastards still are writing songs for their new album. It will be the first one with their new singer Dave Hunt, who did an amazing job on the second part of the Grind Bastard tour. There will be no musical changes, so you can expect another Death Metal classic. We keep you updates as soon we know more...

 

October 1998: Dave Ingram has decided that as he now lives in Copenhagen he is unable to keep up with BENEDICTIONS busy schedule. He has decided to quit the band immediately. The band do not want to let down their fans, so they have decided to proceed with the Europeantour using a young singer, DAVE HUNT, from their home town of Birmingham. DAVE HUNT is the obvious choice, as he has worked with the band previously, when DAVE INGRAM was in Denmark, and the band were rehearsing for their summer festivals. Their vocal styles are slightly different but BENEDICTION feel that this is a unique opportunity to see the band from a different angle.
BENEDICTION would like to take this opportunity to thank all of their loyal fans for their support over the past ten years and assure them that they will never let their fans down.

January 1998: The UK gods return, the masters of death, the "Grindbastards" of the very first hour are a step before their new album release which is entitled "Grindbastards"!
For all of you can't wait, have a look on the album artwork on the right or check out the song "Agonised" taken from the upcoming album.

 

November 1997: We've just received a rough mix tape of the new BENEDICTION album "GRIND BASTARD". This album will kill you! We promise!!!

 

July 1997: BENEDICTION singer join BOLT THROWER at the With Full Force festival in Zwickau. After confirming this festival, the English thrashers threw out their singer. Then they reminded their old friend DAVE from BENEDICTION and after rehearsing a few times they did a real killer show. DAVE was better than ever and so we're looking forward to hear the new BENEDICTION album. The first demo sounds like hell and it seems that this will be a real killer. So watch out for " THE GRIND BASTARD".

 

Benediction have faced many problems and overcome many obstacles in their more than ten-year musical career. But they have always persevered and done so with the knowledge that they have remained true to the original vision of Benediction. Their no compromise attitude gave the band the strength to stay their own course and avoid the pitfalls of the trends that come and go. They stay true to their roots, loyal to their fans and keep in constant contact with the underground scene, which made them the band they are today. They are proud to be part of a widely varied genre that only continues to grow in strength.

Benediction was spawned in early 1989 from the ashes of Stillborn. The line-up was Barney Greenway (vocals), Darren Brookes (guitar), Peter Rew (guitar), Paul Adams (bass) and Ian Treacy (drums). Quickly after forming, they recorded the legendary demo, The Dreams You Dread – now a classic in the death metal world. This tape, along with some help from Mickey Harris (ex-Napalm Death, Scorn), got the band signed to Nuclear Blast Records in Germany. The metal community across the world showered their debut full-length album Subconscious Terror with acclaim. Barney continued to work with both Napalm Death and Benediction. This caused problems when both bands were offered separate tours. Barney had to decide between bands, and his decision to leave Benediction left the rest of the band in turmoil.

A chance meeting at Costermongers Pub in Birmingham between Dave Ingram (one time drunk) and Peter (full time drunk) brought a possible solution. An audition was arranged, and Dave passed with flying colors. The band received an new lease on life, and after successfully integrating Dave into the band by playing several UK dates with Autopsy, Paradise Lost and Bolt Thrower, they set about writing the next opus, The Grand Leveller.

After several years slugging it out in the underground, Benediction now took the form of Dave Ingram (vocals), Peter Rew (guitar), Darren Brookes (guitar), Frank Healy (bass) and Neil Hutton (drums) and recorded the brilliant Grind Bastards album. After its release in 1998, Benediction headlined the Nuclear Blast Festivals through Europe with Hypocrisy, The Kovenant and Children of Bodom. They also played a very successful and enthusiastic show at the Wacken Open Air. Unfortunately, this marked the last show with singer Dave Ingram. He left the band for personal reasons. Again the band searched for a new member. They held a few auditions, and after hearing a young singer named Dave Hunt, the auditions were done. They immediately started rehearsals and played a few festivals. What better way to break the new guy in than by playing live? Dave responded like a pro and was well accepted by the fans. After getting to know each other on the road, Benediction started writing some new songs.

Now in 2001, the Grind Bastards are back with a vengeance. Their new album Organised Chaos (by Andy Sneap) again shows the world why Benediction are leaders in the underground. Their raw power, heavy guitar sound and pure energy are unparalleled in the old-school death metal scene, but they always keep their sound fresh and vital. The amazing production sounds entirely modern and powerful, and you can hear that the old beer drinking party animals still have a lot to say. Dave’s outstanding vocal performance is the biggest surprise on this record. Dave Ingram was brilliant, but Dave Hunt is even better! If you hear songs like “Suicide Rebellion,” “Stigmata,” Suffering Feeds Me,” “Nothing on the Inside” or the brilliant title track, you know what we’re talking about.
BE PART OF THE ORGANISED CHAOS!!!

After a lot of rumours about splitting up and a long term hiatus Englands Death Metal band No.1 is back in business again. They are stronger and better than ever!!!

"GRIND BASTARD" is an album which will set a good standard in the genre of Death Metal.
They recorded 13 Songs, more brutal, aggressive, heavier and faster than ever.and every song can become a classic one day. If you don't believe it, check out songs like "WE THE FREED", "NERVEBOMB" or the genius titletrack "GRIND BASTARD" and you'll know what is meant. They also recorded two coverversions to tribute two of their favourite bands: JUDAS PRIEST ("ELECTRIC EYE") and TWISTED SISTER ("DESTROYER").

"GRIND BASTARD", which was produced by ANDY SNEAP at Square Centre Studios in Nottingham, is a masterpiece without any compromises and if you talk about the leading Death Metal bands, you have to consider BENEDICTION. If there's a band who wants to get on top of this genre, they have to beat the "Gods" from Birmingham.

Fucking Grind

 

Grind Bastards...