Vital Remains to jeden z moich ulubionych deathmetalowych zespołów ze Stanów. Powstali w 1988 roku w Providence z inicjatywy gitarzysty Paula Flynna, który początkowo zatrudnił jako wokalistę swego brata Mike, gitarzystę Butcha Machado oraz basistę Toma Supkow'a i perkusistę Chrisa Dupont'a. Jednak skład ten, nie w pełni zadowolił jego oczekiwania i tak naprawdę dopiero po zastąpieniu Butcha i Mike'a przez udzielających się wcześniej w zespole Somatic Death, gitarzystę Tonyego Lazar'o i wokalistę Jeffa Gruslin'a ruszyło na dobre komponowanie pierwszych utworów, które znalazły się na wydanej rok później taśmie demo "Reduced to Ashes". Od kolejnej demówki rolę perkusisty przejął Ace Alonzo, który m.in. nagrał z nimi w 1991 roku debiutanckiego singla "The Black Mass", Singiel ten okazał się jednym najlepiej sprzedających się materiałów wydanych przez francuską Thrash Rec., mającej pośród swych dużych i małych wydawnictw takie zacne zespoły jak: Convulse, Wombbath, Carbonized, Epitaph, Malediction, Sentenced, Mega Slaughter, czy Sorcery. Fakt ten szybko zwrócił uwagę Peaceville Records, które podpisało z nimi kontrakt i rok później w ich pododdziale Deaf Records ukazał się debiutancki longplay "Let Us Pray", przy którego nagraniu Alonzo występował już jako gość, a role basisty na dłuższy już okres przejął Joe Lewis. Płyta ta doszczętnie mnie pochłonęła. Jeff Gruslin swymi szaleńczymi wokalizami wręcz mnie opętał, generowana zaś przez zespół brutalna, a zrazem techniczna muza, dozująca z niebywałą finezją i wyrafinowaniem sporą dawkę chwytających za ucho melodii, wspieranych gdzieniegdzie klawiszami wytworzyła silnie uzależniający specyficzny mroczny klimat. Od tej pory, a to, co w ich dyskografii najlepsze miało dopiero nadejść, Vital Remains stali się dla mnie nowymi bogami Death Metalu. Na przestrzeni lat skład zespołu wielokrotnie się zmieniał, co raz to zatrudniając do współpracy nowych wokalistów i muzyków, wśród których jednymi z najistotniejszych byli: Dave Suzuki - Drums, Guitars (lead), Vocals (backing) (1997-2009), Bass (2000-2009), Rick Corbett - Drums (1994-1996), Timothy "Thorn" Donovan - Vocals (1999-2003) oraz Glen Benton - Vocals (2003-2009). Do dziś jedynym z zakładających zespół członków pozostał charyzmatyczny Tony Lazaro, dzięki któremu pomimo tego, że już od prawie 10 lat nic nowego nie wydali, a było to niby w planach na mijający rok, wciąż funkcjonują, grając koncerty na całym świecie.
Skład:
Tony Lazaro - Guitars (rhythm) (1988-present) ex-Dark Lord, ex-Equinox, ex-Melek Taus, ex-Somatic Death
Gator Collier - Bass (2008-present) ex-Legion Victorious
Scott Eames - Vocals (2019-present) Nevalra, ex-Nile (live), ex-Thy Antichrist (live), ex-Saetith
▼ Byli muzycy
Tom Supkow - Bass (1988-1990)
Chris Dupont - Drums (1988-1990)
Paul Flynn - Guitars (1988-1996) ex-Godless Rising
Jeff Gruslin - Vocals (1988-1996) Godless Rising, Somatic Death, ex-Doom Oath, ex-Dethroned, ex-Wolfen Society
Joe Lewis - Bass, Vocals (1990-2000) Headrot, ex-Self Destruct, ex-Belial (USA)
Ace Alonzo - Drums (1990-1994) ex-Self Destruct
Rick Corbett - Drums (1994-1996) ex-Godless Rising
Chris Ross - Vocals (1996-1997) (R.I.P. 2017)
Dave Suzuki - Drums, Guitars (lead), Vocals (backing) (1997-2009), Bass (2000-2009) Churchburn, DNR, ex-Faust, ex-Wolves Under Azurean Midnight, Doosh Bags (live), ex-Deicide (live), ex-Sin of Angels (live), ex-Silent Raven Fell
Thorn - Vocals (1999-2001)
Jake Raymond - Vocals (2001) (R.I.P. 2018)
Glen Benton - Vocals (2002-2009) Deicide, ex-Amon
Scott Wily - Vocals (2008-2012) (R.I.P. 2017) ex-Massave Convultions, ex-Zircon, ex-Godless Rising (live), ex-Sufferage
Eddy Hoffman - Drums (2009-2011) Demon King (live), Pantheon (live), ex-Cancer Whore, ex-Malignant Spawn, ex-Incinerate, ex-Liturgy, ex-Nightspake, ex-Psychiatric Regurgitation, ex-Rottenness (live), ex-Iwrestledabearonce (live)
Jack Blackburn - Drums (2012-2014) Accursed Aeons, Chaos Moon, Entheogen, Gardsghastr, Guðveiki, Killitorous, Martröð, Nokturnal Maelstrom, Ringarë, ex-Esoterica, ex-Lithotome, ex-Skáphe, ex-Soul Reclusion, ex-In Ruins (live), ex-Demon King, ex-Inferi, ex-Manetheren, ex-Enfold Darkness, ex-Imbrued Deceit
Brian Werner - Vocals (2012-2019) Terrorizer, Ninety Three, ex-Nervochaos, ex-Monstrosity (live), ex-Infernaeon
Aaron Homma - Guitars (lead) (2013-2014) Annihilator, Killitorous, Erimha (live), ex-Immersed, ex-Today I Caught the Plague
James Payne - Drums (2014-2016) Ex Deo, Hiss from the Moat, Kataklysm, The DrumHouse, ex-Hour of Penance, ex-The End of Six Thousand Years, ex-Awaken Demons, ex-Broken Heart College
Dean Arnold - Guitars (lead) (2015-2019) Primalfrost, ex-Operus, ex-Will of the Ancients, ex-Belphegor (live), ex-Eclipse Prophecy (live), ex-Lesion
Chris Dupont - Drums (1988-1990)
Paul Flynn - Guitars (1988-1996) ex-Godless Rising
Jeff Gruslin - Vocals (1988-1996) Godless Rising, Somatic Death, ex-Doom Oath, ex-Dethroned, ex-Wolfen Society
Joe Lewis - Bass, Vocals (1990-2000) Headrot, ex-Self Destruct, ex-Belial (USA)
Ace Alonzo - Drums (1990-1994) ex-Self Destruct
Rick Corbett - Drums (1994-1996) ex-Godless Rising
Chris Ross - Vocals (1996-1997) (R.I.P. 2017)
Dave Suzuki - Drums, Guitars (lead), Vocals (backing) (1997-2009), Bass (2000-2009) Churchburn, DNR, ex-Faust, ex-Wolves Under Azurean Midnight, Doosh Bags (live), ex-Deicide (live), ex-Sin of Angels (live), ex-Silent Raven Fell
Thorn - Vocals (1999-2001)
Jake Raymond - Vocals (2001) (R.I.P. 2018)
Glen Benton - Vocals (2002-2009) Deicide, ex-Amon
Scott Wily - Vocals (2008-2012) (R.I.P. 2017) ex-Massave Convultions, ex-Zircon, ex-Godless Rising (live), ex-Sufferage
Eddy Hoffman - Drums (2009-2011) Demon King (live), Pantheon (live), ex-Cancer Whore, ex-Malignant Spawn, ex-Incinerate, ex-Liturgy, ex-Nightspake, ex-Psychiatric Regurgitation, ex-Rottenness (live), ex-Iwrestledabearonce (live)
Jack Blackburn - Drums (2012-2014) Accursed Aeons, Chaos Moon, Entheogen, Gardsghastr, Guðveiki, Killitorous, Martröð, Nokturnal Maelstrom, Ringarë, ex-Esoterica, ex-Lithotome, ex-Skáphe, ex-Soul Reclusion, ex-In Ruins (live), ex-Demon King, ex-Inferi, ex-Manetheren, ex-Enfold Darkness, ex-Imbrued Deceit
Brian Werner - Vocals (2012-2019) Terrorizer, Ninety Three, ex-Nervochaos, ex-Monstrosity (live), ex-Infernaeon
Aaron Homma - Guitars (lead) (2013-2014) Annihilator, Killitorous, Erimha (live), ex-Immersed, ex-Today I Caught the Plague
James Payne - Drums (2014-2016) Ex Deo, Hiss from the Moat, Kataklysm, The DrumHouse, ex-Hour of Penance, ex-The End of Six Thousand Years, ex-Awaken Demons, ex-Broken Heart College
Dean Arnold - Guitars (lead) (2015-2019) Primalfrost, ex-Operus, ex-Will of the Ancients, ex-Belphegor (live), ex-Eclipse Prophecy (live), ex-Lesion
▼ Muzycy koncertowi
Chris Dovas - Drums (2018-present) Dovas, Evulsion, FireWing, Testament, ex-FirstBourne, ex-Seven Spires, ex-Unflesh, ex-Aversed (live), ex-Rithiya Henry Khiev (live), ex-Sonic Pulse (live)
Caio Kehyayan - Guitars (2019-present) FireWing, NorthTale (live), ex-Unflesh
Kendall Divoll - Drums (2020-present) Fetal Blood Eagle, Necronomichrist, ex-Totality, ex-Replacire (live), ex-Infinite Descent
Nick Gilbert - Guitars (lead) (2022-present) Caelum
Matt Raines - Guitars Eternal Wound
Aaron Weinstein - Guitars (1998)
Zion - Bass (2000) Chrome Waves, Doomsday, Sons of Famine, ex-Forest of Impaled, ex-Zalnik, ex-Anti-Human Thesis, ex-Metallian, Black XIII, ex-Nachtmystium, ex-Disinter
Ron Greene - Bass (2000-2002) ex-Leukorrhea
Kelly Conlon - Bass (2000-2001) Azure Emote, Kill Procedure, Piss on Christ, Shatter Messiah, Ashes of Ares (live), ex-Fires of Babylon, ex-Metal Against Coronavirus, ex-Sargon, ex-Wynterborne, ex-Infinity Minus One, ex-Monstrosity, ex-Pessimist, ex-Agent Steel (live), ex-Death
Kyle Severn - Drums (2000-?) Incantation, Shed the Skin, ex-Wolfen Society, Perdition Sect, ex-Acheron, ex-Divine Eve (live), ex-Funerus, ex-Escalation Anger
Derek Boyer - Bass (2003) Suffocation, Ablation, ex-Criminal Element, ex-Decrepit Birth, ex-Dying Fetus, ex-Deeds of Flesh (live), ex-Disgorge, ex-Deprecated
Tim Yeung - Drums (2003-2007, 2009) Semi-Rotted, ex-Shaithus, ex-Windbreed, Bleed The Fifth, The Lone Wolf (live), ex-Agiel, ex-Aurora Borealis, ex-Decrepit Birth, ex-Hate Eternal, ex-Morbid Angel, ex-Pessimist, ex-Pestilence, ex-World Under Blood, ex-All That Remains (live), ex-Nile (live), ex-Hank Williams III (live), ex-Divine Heresy, ex-The Tenth Circle, ex-Assjack, ex-Death Division, ex-I Am Morbid, ex-Westfield Massacre
Istvan Lendvay - Bass (2004) Rise, ex-Behemoth (live)
Lord Doomus - Drums (2005) A Circle of Crows, Absentation, Abuse, Akuma, Anomalous, Apterous, Chasm of Discord, Darkside of Humanity, Dissecting Divinity, Firelink, Habitual Depravity, Hunhau Mitnal, Jeff Hughell, Mazikeen, Myiacyst, Neoplasia, Neurogenic, Scenic Lucid Decay, Six Feet Under, Sleep Terror, Sobek, Solus Ex Inferis, Sonivinos, The Odium Aftermath, Truth Devoid, Vile Carrion, Waking the Cadaver, Wrath of Logarius, Xemaulc'tha, ex-Omnivore Inception, ex-Supreme Banishment, ex-Monumental Torment, ex-Martyr Logarius, Canaca, Monolithic Terror, Orders of Infinity, ex-A Pretext to Human Suffering, ex-Bleak Flesh, ex-Mysteryxmeat, ex-The Faceless, ex-Wounds of Christ, ex-Vile (live), ex-Vörnagar, ex-Brain Drill, ex-In Asymmetry, ex-Anthem 85, ex-Apocrypha, ex-Atrocious Hysteria, ex-Dark Heritage, ex-Lord Marco, ex-Numa, ex-Ritual Hatred
Anthony Geremia - Vocals (2005-2007)
Ralph Santolla - Guitars (2006) (R.I.P. 2018) ex-Hollow, ex-Millenium, ex-Deicide, ex-Obituary, ex-Sebastian Bach, ex-Toxik, ex-Iced Earth (live), ex-Melechesh (live), ex-Death (live), ex-Memorain, ex-Blood Divisions, ex-Devil's Highway, ex-Eyewitness, ex-Monarch, ex-Ralph Santolla, ex-Redscream, ex-Serpent Seduced Eve, ex-Stare
Brian Hobbie - Bass (2007-2008) Mortiferoth, ex-Catastrophic, ex-Circadian Skizm, ex-Lethal Entity, ex-Wind Wraith, ex-Imperious Rex, ex-Broken Hope, ex-Internal Bleeding, ex-Neurotic Decay, ex-Psychomanthium, ex-Pyrexia (live), ex-420, ex-The Death-Hammer
Antonio Donadeo - Drums (2007-2008) ex-Traitor, ex-Stench of Dismemberment, ex-Suspiria, Crifiu, ex-Ecnephias, ex-Exhumer, ex-Necrotorture, ex-Stillness' Blade, ex-Undertakers, ex-Virulent Re-Shapes
Eric Sagardia - Guitars (lead) (2007-2009) ex-Azathoth
Damien Boynton - Vocals (2007-2008) ex-Desolation, ex-Season of Suffering
Keshava Doane - Drums (2008-2009) ex-Gigan
Taylor Fishman - Guitars (lead) (2008-2009, 2009-2010) ex-Monstrosity (live)
John Hate - Guitars (2010-2011) Funeral Rites, ex-Crowned Beheaded, ex-All the Way to the Bank
Rodrigo Raquio - Vocals (2010) Corporate Riot, DJ Nokturne, Templo ov Satanae, The Insomaniac, ex-Psychotic Pulse, ex-Nitemare
Albert Allende - Drums (2011-2013) Ornæmental Shine, Repvblika, Strike Master, ex-Nemesis Ocvlta, ex-Blackthorn, ex-Hacavitz, ex-Mordskog, ex-Toxic Hate
Conspirator A - Drums (2011-2012) Ornæmental Shine, Repvblika, Strike Master, ex-Nemesis Ocvlta, ex-Blackthorn, ex-Hacavitz, ex-Mordskog, ex-Toxic Hate
Brian Weber - Guitars (lead) (2011-2013) Onus, ex-Sentenced to Die, ex-D.O.T.A.C.
Brian Werner - Vocals (2011) Terrorizer, Ninety Three, ex-Nervochaos, ex-Monstrosity (live), ex-Infernaeon
Bill Hudson - Guitars (lead) (2012) Circle II Circle, Doro (live), NorthTale, ex-Metal Against Coronavirus, ex-The Supremacy, ex-Jon Oliva's Pain, Bleed the Fifth, Emphatic, I Am Morbid, The Lone Wolf (live), ex-Aquaria, ex-Kobra and the Lotus (live), ex-Nightrage (live), ex-Savatage (live), ex-Trans-Siberian Orchestra (live), ex-Cellador, ex-Power Quest, ex-Written in Blood, ex-Epicurean (live), ex-Avian, ex-Dirkschneider, ex-Westfield Massacre
Rob Holden - Bass (2016) ex-Conquer, ex-Operus, ex-Left Hand Creation
James Payne - Drums (2016) Ex Deo, Hiss from the Moat, Kataklysm, The DrumHouse, ex-Hour of Penance, ex-The End of Six Thousand Years, ex-Awaken Demons, ex-Broken Heart College
Eugene Ryabchenko - Drums (2016-2017) Banisher, Castrum, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Locracy, Angerseed (live), Obliterate (live), Afgrund, ex-Posthumous Blasphemer, ex-Waldschrat, ex-Belphegor (live), ex-Decapitated (live), ex-Mastic Scum (live), ex-GAZ-66 Intrusion, ex-Vane (live), ex-Crucify Me Gently, ex-Displease, ex-The Symbioz
Caio Kehyayan - Guitars (2019-present) FireWing, NorthTale (live), ex-Unflesh
Kendall Divoll - Drums (2020-present) Fetal Blood Eagle, Necronomichrist, ex-Totality, ex-Replacire (live), ex-Infinite Descent
Nick Gilbert - Guitars (lead) (2022-present) Caelum
Matt Raines - Guitars Eternal Wound
Aaron Weinstein - Guitars (1998)
Zion - Bass (2000) Chrome Waves, Doomsday, Sons of Famine, ex-Forest of Impaled, ex-Zalnik, ex-Anti-Human Thesis, ex-Metallian, Black XIII, ex-Nachtmystium, ex-Disinter
Ron Greene - Bass (2000-2002) ex-Leukorrhea
Kelly Conlon - Bass (2000-2001) Azure Emote, Kill Procedure, Piss on Christ, Shatter Messiah, Ashes of Ares (live), ex-Fires of Babylon, ex-Metal Against Coronavirus, ex-Sargon, ex-Wynterborne, ex-Infinity Minus One, ex-Monstrosity, ex-Pessimist, ex-Agent Steel (live), ex-Death
Kyle Severn - Drums (2000-?) Incantation, Shed the Skin, ex-Wolfen Society, Perdition Sect, ex-Acheron, ex-Divine Eve (live), ex-Funerus, ex-Escalation Anger
Derek Boyer - Bass (2003) Suffocation, Ablation, ex-Criminal Element, ex-Decrepit Birth, ex-Dying Fetus, ex-Deeds of Flesh (live), ex-Disgorge, ex-Deprecated
Tim Yeung - Drums (2003-2007, 2009) Semi-Rotted, ex-Shaithus, ex-Windbreed, Bleed The Fifth, The Lone Wolf (live), ex-Agiel, ex-Aurora Borealis, ex-Decrepit Birth, ex-Hate Eternal, ex-Morbid Angel, ex-Pessimist, ex-Pestilence, ex-World Under Blood, ex-All That Remains (live), ex-Nile (live), ex-Hank Williams III (live), ex-Divine Heresy, ex-The Tenth Circle, ex-Assjack, ex-Death Division, ex-I Am Morbid, ex-Westfield Massacre
Istvan Lendvay - Bass (2004) Rise, ex-Behemoth (live)
Lord Doomus - Drums (2005) A Circle of Crows, Absentation, Abuse, Akuma, Anomalous, Apterous, Chasm of Discord, Darkside of Humanity, Dissecting Divinity, Firelink, Habitual Depravity, Hunhau Mitnal, Jeff Hughell, Mazikeen, Myiacyst, Neoplasia, Neurogenic, Scenic Lucid Decay, Six Feet Under, Sleep Terror, Sobek, Solus Ex Inferis, Sonivinos, The Odium Aftermath, Truth Devoid, Vile Carrion, Waking the Cadaver, Wrath of Logarius, Xemaulc'tha, ex-Omnivore Inception, ex-Supreme Banishment, ex-Monumental Torment, ex-Martyr Logarius, Canaca, Monolithic Terror, Orders of Infinity, ex-A Pretext to Human Suffering, ex-Bleak Flesh, ex-Mysteryxmeat, ex-The Faceless, ex-Wounds of Christ, ex-Vile (live), ex-Vörnagar, ex-Brain Drill, ex-In Asymmetry, ex-Anthem 85, ex-Apocrypha, ex-Atrocious Hysteria, ex-Dark Heritage, ex-Lord Marco, ex-Numa, ex-Ritual Hatred
Anthony Geremia - Vocals (2005-2007)
Ralph Santolla - Guitars (2006) (R.I.P. 2018) ex-Hollow, ex-Millenium, ex-Deicide, ex-Obituary, ex-Sebastian Bach, ex-Toxik, ex-Iced Earth (live), ex-Melechesh (live), ex-Death (live), ex-Memorain, ex-Blood Divisions, ex-Devil's Highway, ex-Eyewitness, ex-Monarch, ex-Ralph Santolla, ex-Redscream, ex-Serpent Seduced Eve, ex-Stare
Brian Hobbie - Bass (2007-2008) Mortiferoth, ex-Catastrophic, ex-Circadian Skizm, ex-Lethal Entity, ex-Wind Wraith, ex-Imperious Rex, ex-Broken Hope, ex-Internal Bleeding, ex-Neurotic Decay, ex-Psychomanthium, ex-Pyrexia (live), ex-420, ex-The Death-Hammer
Antonio Donadeo - Drums (2007-2008) ex-Traitor, ex-Stench of Dismemberment, ex-Suspiria, Crifiu, ex-Ecnephias, ex-Exhumer, ex-Necrotorture, ex-Stillness' Blade, ex-Undertakers, ex-Virulent Re-Shapes
Eric Sagardia - Guitars (lead) (2007-2009) ex-Azathoth
Damien Boynton - Vocals (2007-2008) ex-Desolation, ex-Season of Suffering
Keshava Doane - Drums (2008-2009) ex-Gigan
Taylor Fishman - Guitars (lead) (2008-2009, 2009-2010) ex-Monstrosity (live)
John Hate - Guitars (2010-2011) Funeral Rites, ex-Crowned Beheaded, ex-All the Way to the Bank
Rodrigo Raquio - Vocals (2010) Corporate Riot, DJ Nokturne, Templo ov Satanae, The Insomaniac, ex-Psychotic Pulse, ex-Nitemare
Albert Allende - Drums (2011-2013) Ornæmental Shine, Repvblika, Strike Master, ex-Nemesis Ocvlta, ex-Blackthorn, ex-Hacavitz, ex-Mordskog, ex-Toxic Hate
Conspirator A - Drums (2011-2012) Ornæmental Shine, Repvblika, Strike Master, ex-Nemesis Ocvlta, ex-Blackthorn, ex-Hacavitz, ex-Mordskog, ex-Toxic Hate
Brian Weber - Guitars (lead) (2011-2013) Onus, ex-Sentenced to Die, ex-D.O.T.A.C.
Brian Werner - Vocals (2011) Terrorizer, Ninety Three, ex-Nervochaos, ex-Monstrosity (live), ex-Infernaeon
Bill Hudson - Guitars (lead) (2012) Circle II Circle, Doro (live), NorthTale, ex-Metal Against Coronavirus, ex-The Supremacy, ex-Jon Oliva's Pain, Bleed the Fifth, Emphatic, I Am Morbid, The Lone Wolf (live), ex-Aquaria, ex-Kobra and the Lotus (live), ex-Nightrage (live), ex-Savatage (live), ex-Trans-Siberian Orchestra (live), ex-Cellador, ex-Power Quest, ex-Written in Blood, ex-Epicurean (live), ex-Avian, ex-Dirkschneider, ex-Westfield Massacre
Rob Holden - Bass (2016) ex-Conquer, ex-Operus, ex-Left Hand Creation
James Payne - Drums (2016) Ex Deo, Hiss from the Moat, Kataklysm, The DrumHouse, ex-Hour of Penance, ex-The End of Six Thousand Years, ex-Awaken Demons, ex-Broken Heart College
Eugene Ryabchenko - Drums (2016-2017) Banisher, Castrum, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Locracy, Angerseed (live), Obliterate (live), Afgrund, ex-Posthumous Blasphemer, ex-Waldschrat, ex-Belphegor (live), ex-Decapitated (live), ex-Mastic Scum (live), ex-GAZ-66 Intrusion, ex-Vane (live), ex-Crucify Me Gently, ex-Displease, ex-The Symbioz

Dyskografia:
1989 - Reduced to Ashes [demo]
1990 - Excruciating Pain [demo]
1991 - The Black Mass [EP]
1992 - Live Demo 1991 [demo]
1992 - Let Us Pray
1993 - Morta Skuld / Vital Remains [split]
1994 - Live Promo '94 [demo]
1995 - Into Cold Darkness
1997 - Forever Underground
2000 - Dawn of the Apocalypse
2003 - Dechristianize
2006 - Horrors of Hell [kompilacja]
2007 - Icons of Evil
2007 - Evil - Death - Live [video]
MA: https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Vital_Remains/720
BC: https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/music
