West Auckland modern Metal band 8 FOOT SATIVA, comprising lead vocalist Justin Niessen, guitarist Gary Smith, bass player Brent Fox and Sam Sheppard on the drums, established themselves during 1998. Rapidly building a large local following the band broke through into national radio and TV rotation, so much so that the band was scoring more viewer support than many international Pop artists. Speed (a.k.a. Peter Young) took over on drums in 1999. Prior to the issue of debut album 'Hate Made Me' the group played a number of gigs around the country, including opening for PANTERA and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY at the Auckland Town Hall early 2001. A line-up change shortly after release of 'Hate Made Me' saw Sam Sheppard of DESECRATOR, SINATE and O.C.D. ('Obsessive Compulsive Disorder') taking over from Speed.

The December 2002 headline trek across New Zealand, dubbed 'The Hate Made Us All' tour, was capitalised on by gaining valuable supports to visiting artists such as DISTURBED in February 2003. The group would also attract attention in the USA with an appearance at the Austin, Texas SXSW event. Spreading their international reach even further 8 FOOT SATIVA would be one of the very few Kiwi acts to accomplish a full world tour, taking in shows in London, Toronto, Hong Kong, Sydney and New York. Roadrunner Records licensed the debut for Australian release that same year.

8 FOOT SATIVA's second album 'Season For Assault' arrived in October of 2003. The group performed at the Auckland METALLICA headlined 'Big Day Out' festival in January of 2004. August and September shows throughout New Zealand saw the band allied with FRANKENBOK with SUBTRACT handling opening honours in the North Island and SYNDIKAT in the South Island. 'Season For Assault''s impact spread further when renowned Swedish label Black Mark records picked the album up for European license. The band worked their way across Australia in May and June forming up the 'Army Of Darkness' trek in union with FRANKENBOK, FULL SCALE and SUNK LOTO. A third effort for Intergalactic, 'Breed The Pain', was delivered in December 2004.

With 8 FOOT SATIVA making waves internationally, it came as a shock for fans to see both Matt and Sam Sheppard breaking away to re-forge SINATE mid 2005. From this point on the band's experienced numerous changes starting with the recruitment of new drummer Corey Friedlander, of FINAL EVE and RELENTLESS ATTRITION, and a shortlived return of vocalist Justin Niessen. Vocalist Ben Read replaced Niessen in late 2005 with additional guitarist William Cleverdon joining around the same time. However, Cleverdon would be superseded by Christian Humpreys.

In May 2007 the band released the self-financed 'Poison Of Ages' album, this witnessing a drift into contemporary Metalcore, subsequently scoring major label distribution through Universal. Recorded in Sweden, these tracks featured the session drumming of Stefan Westerberg from CARNAL FORGE.

8 FOOT SATIVA supported MOTÖRHEAD alongside STICKY FILTH, SINATE, DAWN OF AZAZEL, WORLD WAR FOUR and PARIS IN FLAMES in New Plymouth that October.

Jamie Saint Merat exited in August 2008, in order to prioritise ULCERATE, and was substituted by a returning Corey Friedlander. The 'Sleepwalkers' January 2009 single was supported by a headline club tour.

Garry Sharpe-Young