Skeletonwitch

Biography

Skeletonwitch is an American thrash metal band from Athens, Ohio, formed in 2003. The band currently consists of lead guitarist Nate Garnette, rhythm guitarist Scott Hedrick, bassist Evan Linger, and vocalist Adam Clemans. The band fired original vocalist Chance Garnette in late 2014 or early 2015. In early 2018, drummer Dustin Boltjes left the band after seven years.

History

Skeletonwitch was formed in 2003 in Athens, Ohio. Guitarist Hedrick heard Nate Garnette's former band Serkesoron's demo while they were at Ohio University. They started a new group. Skeletonwitch released their first album, At One with the Shadows×At One With the Shadows2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1The Skullsplitter2:572Every Rotten Corpse Shall Burn3:453Vengeance Will Be Mine3:014At One With the Shadows3:155Baptized in Flames4:076No Rest for the Dead2:307Onward to Battle4:108Within My Blood3:419Tragedy of Days3:17, on August 11, 2004 though Shredded Records. After forming the band, they recruited Nate's older brother, Chance, as vocalist. The three have been the only constant members. They have gone through three drummers: Tony Laureano, Derrick "Mullet Chad" Nau replacing Jimi Shestina, then Eric Harris with Evan Linger on bass guitar.
After signing to Prosthetic, Skeletonwitch released Beyond the Permafrost on October 2, 2007. In 2008, Skeletonwitch opened for Danzig's Blackest of the Black tour.
On October 13, 2009, Skeletonwitch released their third studio album, Breathing the Fire×Breathing the Fire13 October 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Submit to the Suffering2:112Longing for Domination2:423Where the Light Has Failed2:144Released From the Catacombs3:145Stand Fight and Die3:276The Despoiler of Human Life2:247Crushed Beyond Dust2:298Blinding Black Rage2:329Gorge Upon My Soul3:3710Repulsive Salvation3:3511Strangled by Unseen Hands2:5012...And Into the Flame3:38, which debuted at No. 151 on the Billboard 200 charts. The soundtrack of the video game Brütal Legend featured Skeletonwitch's "Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery". The song "Crushed Beyond Dust" was featured on the Rock Band network on February 28, 2010. Skeletonwitch was featured on all of the dates of Ozzfest 2010.
Skeletonwitch was featured on an Adult Swim video for their song "Bringers of Death" in 2010. "Bringers of Death" also appears on the Adult Swim heavy metal compilation Metal Swim.
In March 2011, Skeletonwitch parted with drummer Derrick Nau and temporarily replaced him with Tony Laureano. Skeletonwitch released their fourth studio album, Forever Abomination×Forever Abomination7 October 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1This Horrifying Force (The Desire to Kill)4:102Reduced to the Failure of Prayer2:523Of Ash and Torment2:554Choke Upon Betrayal2:365Erased and Forgotten2:246The Infernal Resurrection2:527Rejoice in Misery2:478Cleaver of Souls3:499Shredding Sacred Flesh2:3410Sink Beneath Insanity2:5511My Skin of Deceit2:11, on October 7, 2011. It was the first album with drummer Dustin Boltjes, replacing Nau. The House of Blues in Orlando banned Skeletonwitch after deeming them "unfit to be associated with Disney." The band released its fifth studio album, Serpents Unleashed×Serpents Unleashed25 October 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Serpents Unleashed2:112Beneath Dead Leaves3:073I Am of Death (Hell Has Arrived)2:474From a Cloudless Sky2:485Burned From Bone2:396Unending, Everliving3:037Blade on the Flesh, Blood on My Hands2:268This Evil Embrace3:399Unwept2:2510Born of the Light That Does Not Shine2:1811More Cruel Than Weak4:18, in October 2013.
Vocalist Chance Garnette withdrew from live appearances partway through a tour in October 2014. Garnette's last show with Skeletonwitch was October 15, 2014, at the Webster Theater in Hartford, CT. Days later, he appeared in Worcester District Court in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was "charged with assault and battery on a family/household member". The case was continued to December 10, 2014. Garnette was released on $500 bail. He was replaced on a European tour the following March with former Cannabis Corpse vocalist Andy Horn. It was later confirmed that Garnette stated that the band fired him due to alcohol abuse, for which he sought treatment. His permanent replacement was confirmed in February 2016 as Adam Clemans, frontman of blackened sludge metal band Wolvhammer and former vocalist of Veil of Maya.
On April 26, 2018, the band announced Devouring Radiant Light as the title of their upcoming album. The album was released on July 20, 2018.