DEICIDE, emerging from the cult troupe AMON founded in 1987, was the first American Black Death Metal band to push the novelty factor into the realms of the dangerous. Early shows had arch protagonist vocalist / bassist Glen Benton drenched in the blood of a pig bedecked in studded body armour sporting an upside down cross the frontman had burned into his own forehead. Benton, whose first son he tactfully named Daemon, rather intriguingly voiced premonitions that he will die aged 33. Needless to say his 33rd Birthday passed without event.

The singer's more than vocal appreciation of a Satanic belief system, his willingness to engage in media sponsored set discussions on good and evil with church members (including the late former TWELFTH NIGHT vocalist and vicar GEOFF MANN) and his apparent witnessed shooting of squirrels in his house (!) put DEICIDE firmly in the Black Metal camp. Quite remarkably for a Death-Black Metal band DEICIDE maintained a rock solid line-up since its inception for fifteen years, comprising Benton, brothers Eric Hoffman and Brian Hoffman on guitars, and Steve Asheim on drums, and continues to maintain a strong unyielding fan base.

AMON released two demos, August 1987's 8 track garage recording 'Feasting The Beast' and 'Sacrificial' in December 1989. This second session scored a deal with Roadrunner Records. The name DEICIDE arrived in June 1990 with an eponymous album recorded in February of that year by Scott Burns at at the spiritual home of US Death Metal, Tampa's Morrisound Recording, re-crafting all six 'Sacrificial' tracks for this opus. This winning formula of studio and producer would be cemented for the next three albums.

The 'Deicide' album, issued in June 1990, broke little new ground, if any, musically but Benton's skill in manipulating the media was matched by a half hour savage burst of pure blasphemy driven by Steve Asheim's impressive percussive abilities. Lyrical content was entirely devoted to the practices of Lucifer and his minions with the exception of opener 'Lunatic Of God's Creation' and 'Carnage In The Temple Of The Damned', in deference respectively to Charles Manson and Guyana occultist Jim Jones.

That same year Glen Benton featured as a backing vocalist on another ground breaking recording, CANNIBAL CORPSE's 'Eaten Back To Life'. Further controversy was whipped up after the second album, June 1992's 'Legion', when two New Jersey teenagers tortured and killed a dog leaving its carcass hanging in a tree. When questioned by authorities the youngsters claimed inspiration from DEICIDE. 'Legion', intended as a quick fire response to the furore engendered by the debut, was so rushed that the original sessions clocked in at just over 20 minutes, necessitating the band returned to the studio to bring the second effort up to a satisfactory duration.

So vociferous was the media against DEICIDE that their notoriety spread into areas not normally troubled by Black Metal. Benton's comments regarding his supposed treatment of animals led to bomb threats which blighted a winter 1992 European tour. A more pointed message left with the media, allegedly from the Animal Militia organisation's Manchester cell, informed Benton he would be killed if he stepped on English soil. DEICIDE's British and European shows went according to plan until the Scandinavian leg when a bomb planted at the Fryshuset club in Stockholm, Sweden exploded. The device actually detonated during touring partner's THERION's set, but had been timed to go off in the middle of DEICIDE's originally scheduled stage time.

Nobody was seriously hurt, although the bomb caused several minor injuries and blew apart part of a wall and roofing. However, it was unclear as to the object of the assault as support band GOREFEST had also received death threats from another source. Performing in the UK, a fake "bomb", constructed out of a clock and wires, was thrown onstage in Manchester, temporarily halting the show. The band finished the remainder of the European tour without major incident.

With all this notoriety the band built up a loyal fanbase with surprising speed and Roadrunner Records were quick off the mark in re-issuing the AMON demos re-credited to DEICIDE and marketed as 'Amon: Feasting The Beast'. In a rare guest slot outside of DEICIDE activities Benton aided leading Mexican Thrash act TRANSMETAL with backing vocals on their 1993 'Dante's Inferno' opus.

DEICIDE's third album arrived in April 1995, 'Once Upon The Cross' immediately provoking outrage with its cover art depicting a slaughtered messiah figure. In the USA large stickers were placed over the offending image. However, upon opening the CD case purchasers were confronted by even more graphic artwork portraying an eviscerated Jesus. Once the shock value had been overcome, the record was given enough impetus to land at a suitable number 66 in the national British charts, unfortunately 'Once Upon The Cross' showed minimal progression.

'Serpents Of The Light' slithered out in October 1997, replete once again with provocative artwork showing Jesus with a forked serpent tongue. The album hosted a fourth round of zero tolerance toward Christianity, included concert favourite 'Blame It On God'. Live album 'When Satan Lives' emerged a year later.

The band's July 2000 release, the wryly titled 'Insinerate Hymn', proved to be as uncompromising as ever, the unrelenting river of blasphemy triggered by another stage staple 'Bible Basher'. Rumblings of discontent were boiling to the surface though as the band began voicing dissatisfaction with their label, complaining of an unfavourable degree of promotion and budgeting.

DEICIDE toured as headliners in America during May of 2001 topping a bill comprising MARDUK, GORGUTS and ALL OUT WAR. 'In Torment In Hell' was delivered that September but obviously all was not well in the DEICIDE camp. When reviews pointed towards a roughshod finish, the group claimed Roadrunner Records had released an uncompleted product.

During early 2002 Glen Benton cut session lead vocals for VITAL REMAINS 'Dechristianize' album leading to speculation as to the future of DEICIDE. However, it would soon after be revealed that DEICIDE themselves were in the recording studio cutting a 2002 album. European tour dates slated for November saw the band heading up a bill including BEHEMOTH, DESTROYER 666, DIABOLIC, ANTAEUS and CENTINEX. However, this roster would be subsequently slashed to just DEICIDE, MYSTIC CIRCLE and CENTINEX.

DEICIDE, ending their long relationship with Roadrunner Records, signed to the British Earache label during November. The band would be confirmed as headliners for the 'X-Mass Festivals' European tour commencing in London on December 7th, heading up a strong billing incorporating DESTRUCTION, AMON AMARTH, NILE, GRAVEWORM, DEW-SCENTED, MISERY INDEX and DISBELIEF.

The band announced touring plans for the US in November of 2003, heading up a billing comprising HATE ETERNAL, KRISIUN and CATTLE DECAPITATION.

DEICIDE's February 2004 offering 'Scars Of The Crucifix' came marketed in an array of formats designed to test the budget of the most ardent fan. The U.S. only slipcase version, packaged with die cut inverted cross naturally, contained an extra 'Behind The Scars' DVD and would be restricted to 3,000 copies. Meantime the European digipack variant also added the 'Behind the Scars: Under the Skin of Deicide' DVD plus the incentive of a signature DEICIDE guitar pick. Restricted to 10,000 copies, 9,999 included either a Glen Benton, Eric Hoffman or Brian Hoffman signature pick but hidden inside one copy was a specially minted DEICIDE guitar pick made of metal, the lucky fan who bought this copy winning a BC Rich NJ Beast guitar. In addition, a vinyl version, limited to 2,000 copies and manufactured in heavyweight 180 gramme 12" black vinyl, would be clad in exclusive Paul Booth cover art, different from the artwork on the CD version.

'Scars Of The Crucifix' would generate strong sales, eventually proving to be Earache's highest selling album of the year, debuting at No. 18 on Billboard's Independent Albums Chart and No. 24 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart in the U.S., hitting both charts higher than any other metal band.

Touring in North America during the Spring was to see DEICIDE on a package billing with SUPERJOINT RITUAL and CLUTCH. However, shortly into these dates it seemed the band had either left or been unceremoniously ejected. Nevertheless, DEICIDE was quick to announce their own September headlining shows, partnered with road mates GOATWHORE, CATTLE DECAPITATION and JUNGLE ROT.

The band's touring history was blighted yet again though in June when, on the eve of scheduled European shows allied with MYSTIC CIRCLE, AKERCOCKE and IN AETERNUM, DEICIDE abruptly pulled out. Recriminations from the tour organisors the Metallysee Booking Agency were both swift and damning. The group had performed just one show at the Dutch 'Dynamo' festival then cancelling a London gig and flying home to Florida. Whilst an official label statement cited DEICIDE's "anger and frustration at the transportation and financial arrangements" in return Metallysee alleged the band had doubled their fee and given faulty air conditioning on a tourbus as an excuse to withdraw. The group also withdrew from the major 'Wacken Open Air' festival in Germany scheduled for August, citing "family reasons". Positive news came with the band's re-signing with Earache Records a re-routed European tour booked for October / November with French Black Metal crew ARKHON INFAUSTUS as guests. However, the group re-shaped itself for these shows, drafting former CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Jack Owen as Brian Hoffman would be forced out due to personal reasons. As such, the group was forced to rearrange the first three dates, at Hassalt, Haarlem and Paris, in order to give Owen time to learn the catalogue. Featured on second guitar would be VITAL REMAINS man Dave Suzuki as, according to band reports, Eric Hoffman had not arrived at the airport in time to leave for the tour as scheduled. Suzuki was drafted that same day, flying from Rhode Island to JFK airport in order to meet up with the band and fly on to Madrid, Spain. However, DEICIDE pulled part of the tour due to an apparent "family crisis" (the death of drummer Steve Asheim's father). Following a truncated 45 min concert at the Hard Club in Porto, Portugal on 5th November the band returned to the USA, before regrouping to complete the trek.

Ex-guitarist Eric Hoffman joined UNHOLY GHOST in February 2005, although this would subsequently be refuted. The following month the Hoffman brothers instigated legal proceedings over the rights to the DEICIDE band and announced they were to assemble a brand new DEICIDE. Meantime, Benton's version of DEICIDE collaborated with IMMOLATION, SKINLESS, MISERY INDEX and WITH PASSION for US dates in May. Joining the band for these dates would be guitarist RALPH SANTOLLA, a man known for his melodic work with EYEWITNESS, MILLENNIUM and MONARCH, solo works plus later stints with ICED EARTH and SEBASTIAN BACH.

Glen Benton made time to see inclusion on the ROADRUNNER UNITED 25th anniversary album 'The All-Stars Sessions', featuring on the track 'Annihilation By The Hand Of God' penned by SLIPKNOT's Joey Jordison.

A concert in Chile, at the Gimnasio Nataniel in Santiago on 15th July and actually DEICIDE's third attempt to play in the country, would run into bitter controversy as local church officials attempted to ban the concert. So far reaching was the debate that finally Osvaldo Puccio, General Secretary of the Chilean government, issued a statement affirming the government's position that "in this country, no cultural expression will be censored". Over 3,000 fans attended the gig, with 15 being arrested for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

DEICIDE allied with VISCERAL BLEEDING, WYKKED WYTCH and PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT for European shows throughout October and November, taking in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain and Italy. On December 15th Glen Benton notably joined the ROADRUNNER UNITED conglomerate at the New York Nokia Theater for an all star Metal evening. The singer fronted a cover of OBITUARY's 'The End Complete' featuring SEPULTURA's Andreas Kisser, ex-FEAR FACTORY man Dino Cazares plus the SLIPKNOT rhythm section of bassist Paul Gray and drummer Joey Jordison plus DEICIDE's own 'Dead By Dawn'.

The group ran into further controversy on their February 2006 tour of South America when a concert in Valparaiso, Chile was cancelled. The gig was replaced by a show in Quilpue, but that too was aborted. Local promoters had stirred the wrath of local church and civic organisations by postering the dates with images of Jesus Christ with a bullet hole in the forehead. In somewhat of an ironic twist, bearing in mind DEICIDE's vocal history, guitarist Ralph Santolla stated that he was a Catholic and "against Satanism".

Further trouble followed the band into Europe. A scheduled performance at the 'Hellfest' event in France was cancelled over authorities concerns in relation to grave desecration in Brittany, where tombstones had been vandalised with the DEICIDE song title 'When Satan Rules His World'. Back on US soil, the group entered Morrisound Studios once again to cut a new record 'The Stench Of Redemption', produced by Jim Morris. DEICIDE conducted West Coast "God Killers" shows alongside VITAL REMAINS, seeing Glen Benton doing double frontman duty each night, CREMATORIUM and Oregon's DESOLATION.

The band wound up in chaos again though when on July 14th at Hustlers in Laredo, Texas, guitarist Ralph Santolla was arrested. Reports stated that Glen Benton had voiced his displeasure at being "ripped off" by promoters and had the power cut after just four songs. In the following chaos the police arrived, arresting Santolla after the guitarist had allegedly thrown a can at one of the officers.

In further adverse publicity, DEICIDE had 'The Stench Of Redemption' banned from large Swedish online store Ginza.se, the company citing the blasphemous album sleeve art and controversial lyrical subject matter as their reasoning. In addition, the store apparently also removed all DEICIDE back catalogue. Unfortunately, a day after this press announcement a spokeman for Ginza.se stated the only reason DEICIDE was not represented in their store was because their albums "didn't sell very well".

The band was set to partner with HURTLOCKER, DESOLATION and JUNGLE ROT for US touring throughout September and October but then cancelled these dates after severing ties with their booking agent. Canadian concerts too were suspended, the band citing "due to paperwork issues with the Canadian venues". A fresh round of shows was announced, these including appearances in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico in November. On November 18th the band appeared at the Monterrey Metal Fest event at the at the Coca Cola Auditorium in Mexico alongside BLIND GUARDIAN, CATHEDRAL, U.D.O., EDGUY, OBITUARY, BLUDGEON, LEAVES' EYES, SADUS, VAINGLORY, HYDROGYN and JOE STUMP'S REIGN OF TERROR.

Australian and New Zealand shows, supported by DAWN OF AZAZEL, took place in December. DEICIDE announced they would be hooking up with VISCERAL BLEEDING and PSYCROPTIC for a European tour in January 2007. However, DEICIDE kicked off their European tour on January 5th in Eindhoven, Holland without frontman Glen Benton, who reportedly was forced to stay home to take care of "pressing legal matters". Replacing Benton for the first four dates would be the SEVERE TORTURE, CENTURIAN and NOX credited Seth van Loo. On January 9th, debuting for a concert in Manchester, England, Garbaty Yaha from the Polish Death Metal band DISSENTER joined DEICIDE on bass and vocals. In addition to Yaha, the January 12th London show saw vocal duties divided between Jason Peppiatt of PSYCROPTIC, Martin Pedersen from VISCERAL BLEEDING and Solomon J Lucifer Christ from TED MAUL.

Spanish promoter Matarile withdrew its show offers due to Benton's non-appearance, but these shows were subsequently rescheduled as Benton announced he was to rejoin the band for January 13th in Paris.

A concert DVD, 'Doomsday L.A.' recorded at the Los Angeles Knitting Factory, emerged on Earache in early February. A preceding digital download EP, the 'Doomsday L.A. Live EP'', arrived in January.

DEICIDE released the album 'Till Death Do Us Part' in Europe on April 28th 2008 through Earache Records. Limited edition versions included a "Glen Benton For President" patch.

Earache Records re-issued the 2004 album 'Scars Of The Crucifix' in August, the new version hosting a DVD of a full live show filmed in Nottingham during 2003. The group tapped Kevin Quirion from ORDER OF ENNEAD as its new touring guitarist, the new recruit making his live debut with on 13th September in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

DEICIDE and VITAL REMAINS hooked up for US touring in February 2009 with support from ORDER OF ENNEAD. Australian and New Zealand shows would be announced for April, but subsequently cancelled.

The group featured on the TESTAMENT headlined the 'Mezcal Metal' festival taking place 13th September 2009 at Vive Cuervo Salon in Mexico sharing the stage with DEATH ANGEL, ALCATRAZZ, GRAVE DIGGER, BELLADONNA, MALIGNO, MISERY INDEX, MORTUARY, SACRED REICH, THE AGONIST, TRANSMETAL and VOIVOD.  Announced October 2009 touring of Australia and New Zealand was cancelled, the band citing recording commitments.

Garry Sharpe-Young