Embalmer - Biography
This band's profile is 'invisible', meaning that it's much less prominent on the site - either because it's incomplete, or maybe doesn't entirely fit MS format.
Biography
Embalmer was formed in 1989 (originally as Corpsegrinder) and came out puking up gore and pure brutality. The first demo, Into The Oven was released in 1991 with original bassist/vocalist Toby Wulff, drummer Roy Stewart and guitarists Mark Davis and Duane Morris. Toby soon left the band and was replaced by vocalist Rick Fleming and bassist Brian Holmberg. Duane also left the band and was replaced by John "Jocko" Jermann. This lineup released the second demo, Rotting Remains in 1993, which sealed their domination of the early/mid 90's Cleveland Death Metal scene. In 1994 Holmberg was replaced by former Blessed Sickness bassist Dave Phillips and with this lineup, Embalmer recorded the now legendary There Was Blood Everywhere 7", which was released in 1995 by Relapse Records and then re-released on CD with the four songs from the Rotting Remains demo in 1997. Unfortunately, the band broke up later that year leaving much unreleased material and many disappointed fans. To many, including the band themselves, it seemed Embalmer was done forever.
In early 2005, rumors began circulating of an Embalmer reunion. and sure enough, the rumors were proved correct that Spring. After 8 years of silence, the corpse had risen. Embalmer had indeed returned with Roy, Rick, Mark, Jocko and former NunSlaughter/Dislimb/Necrotic Disgorgement bassist (and longtime Embalmer fan) Rob Lesniak. This lineup quickly relearned the majority of the old songs and wasted no time writing brand new material to put towards a full length CD.
2005 and the first quarter of 2006 saw Embalmer playing out nonstop, but with only Rob contributing new material, there wasn't much progress in the songwriting department. Due to other circumstances, that problem would soon be resolved with the departure of Mark and soon after, Jocko. To replace Mark, Rob brought in former Dislimb bandmate Don Wolff (also formerly of Defenestration and currently in Decrepit and Thoushaltnot) and and Jocko was soon replaced when Duane Morris rejoined the band. In a matter of months this new and vastly improved lineup had written more material than had been produced in the year prior and went into the studios to record the long awaited full length, 13 Faces of Death which was released through Pathos Productions.
In 2007 Embalmer went through two more lineup changes. Due to other responsibilities that must take priority, original drummer and founding member Roy Stewart could no longer commit to such a serious and busy project and decided to part ways with Embalmer, giving the rest of the band his blessing to continue without him. His spot was temporarily filled by drummer Lee Andrews (HRH, ex Dislimb, ex Decrepit.) Shortly after, Don left both Embalmer and Decrepit to concentrate on Thoushaltnot. While a replacement guitarist has still not been found, a new drummer has. Rick, Duane and Rob drove 17 hours to Panama City, FL to forcefully kidnap former Forcefed Flesh drummer Tim Powell and subject him not only to our assholery, but the insufferable Cleveland winter as well. Sucks to be him!. A new demo is currently being written. and should see a release date this spring.
On July 9th of 2008, the band posted a blog entry announcing an indefinite hiatus: "Embalmer is on indefinite hiatus until further notice. Please do not be angry if we don't respond about booking shows. More information will come when we have some for you.
Thank you for your continued support."
Then on August 17th, Rick posted another blog, effectively announcing the band had split up: "Due to much blood spilt, the lack of devotion, and other stupidity that has occured Embalmer is currently and most likely forever inactive. If and when I am ready I may finish the trilogy with my final concept piece The Apocalyptic Bloodshower which will be the final performance. I am not sure who will be involved listed in our band members you can view all past members and make your choice. Thanks to all the fans, more new merch to come and old still available through Pathos Productions.Keep it real, RICK."
Thus the end of Embalmer.
In early 2005, rumors began circulating of an Embalmer reunion. and sure enough, the rumors were proved correct that Spring. After 8 years of silence, the corpse had risen. Embalmer had indeed returned with Roy, Rick, Mark, Jocko and former NunSlaughter/Dislimb/Necrotic Disgorgement bassist (and longtime Embalmer fan) Rob Lesniak. This lineup quickly relearned the majority of the old songs and wasted no time writing brand new material to put towards a full length CD.
2005 and the first quarter of 2006 saw Embalmer playing out nonstop, but with only Rob contributing new material, there wasn't much progress in the songwriting department. Due to other circumstances, that problem would soon be resolved with the departure of Mark and soon after, Jocko. To replace Mark, Rob brought in former Dislimb bandmate Don Wolff (also formerly of Defenestration and currently in Decrepit and Thoushaltnot) and and Jocko was soon replaced when Duane Morris rejoined the band. In a matter of months this new and vastly improved lineup had written more material than had been produced in the year prior and went into the studios to record the long awaited full length, 13 Faces of Death which was released through Pathos Productions.
In 2007 Embalmer went through two more lineup changes. Due to other responsibilities that must take priority, original drummer and founding member Roy Stewart could no longer commit to such a serious and busy project and decided to part ways with Embalmer, giving the rest of the band his blessing to continue without him. His spot was temporarily filled by drummer Lee Andrews (HRH, ex Dislimb, ex Decrepit.) Shortly after, Don left both Embalmer and Decrepit to concentrate on Thoushaltnot. While a replacement guitarist has still not been found, a new drummer has. Rick, Duane and Rob drove 17 hours to Panama City, FL to forcefully kidnap former Forcefed Flesh drummer Tim Powell and subject him not only to our assholery, but the insufferable Cleveland winter as well. Sucks to be him!. A new demo is currently being written. and should see a release date this spring.
On July 9th of 2008, the band posted a blog entry announcing an indefinite hiatus: "Embalmer is on indefinite hiatus until further notice. Please do not be angry if we don't respond about booking shows. More information will come when we have some for you.
Thank you for your continued support."
Then on August 17th, Rick posted another blog, effectively announcing the band had split up: "Due to much blood spilt, the lack of devotion, and other stupidity that has occured Embalmer is currently and most likely forever inactive. If and when I am ready I may finish the trilogy with my final concept piece The Apocalyptic Bloodshower which will be the final performance. I am not sure who will be involved listed in our band members you can view all past members and make your choice. Thanks to all the fans, more new merch to come and old still available through Pathos Productions.Keep it real, RICK."
Thus the end of Embalmer.