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Pessimist - Biography


Biography

Formed in 1993, PESSIMIST was one of the first bands to emerge out of the Baltimore, MD, Death Metal scene.

The band quickly made a name playing live shows with Deicide, Incantation, Malevolent Creation, and in 1995 self-released "Absence of Light" Demo/EP.

In 1997 PESSIMIST signed to Lost Disciple Records and released "Cult of the initiated" CD, charting on Top 40 CMJ Loud Rock Charts, and receiving acclaim in magazines around the world. This was followed by "Blood For the Gods" CD in 1999, soaring into the Top 30 CMJ and receiving "Pick of the Issue.. 10 Fucking Skulls!" in SOD Magazine.

The band played shows with Testament, Forbidden, Suffocation, Deicide, Napalm Death, Monstrosity, Vader, and festival appearances at Milwaukee Metalfest XII, New England Metal and Hardcore Fest, and European tour in 1999.

In 2001, PESSIMIST recorded "Slaughtering the Faithful" with Erik Rutan. More shows followed with Immolation, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, Dark Funeral, and festival appearances at March Metal Meltdown, November to Dismember in CA.

The band went on hiatus, and returned in 2008 with "Evolution Unto Evil" CD, a compilation of demo and cover songs including tributes to Death, Megadeth, Kreator and Possessed. More festival appearances at NE Deathfest, Hostile City Deathfest and a return to Europe in 2009.

In 2018 PESSIMIST has just returned from playing Maryland Deathfest, Las Vegas Deathfest, Rage of Armageddon Fest in NY, and is scheduled to appear at Swarmfest (Tampa), and Ciudad Rock Festival in Cuba, November 2018.

Now in their latest incarnation, the lineup includes founder/ guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (Diabolic, Possessed), bassist Kelly Conlon (Death, Monstrosity), drummer Alex Marquez (Solstice, Malevolent Creation) and vocalist Ivan Priest aka "The Evil One" (Black Mass).

The band is currently writing for their next release, "Keys to the Underworld", in 2019.

Bio from https://www.facebook.com/pg/pessimist.deathmetal/about/