In our endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, we’re extremely thrilled to announce a new signing: Ecocide, from The Netherlands.
Ecocide was formed in Haarlem by Sten Govers, Bas Gijzen and Rick Stikkelorum back in 2012, with Dennis Bikker joining in 2014. Their self-titled 2012 demo was basically Thrash Metal with a pinch of Death Metal thrown in for good measure and lyrical themes based on H.P. Lovecraft, 80’s horror and sci-fi movies.
Their 2013 debut album, titled ‘Eye of Wicked Sight’, saw the band shift their initial Thrash Metal sound into old school Death Metal, taking the Floridian brand of Death, Obituary and Massacre, adding some Swedish inspiration in the vein of Entombed, Grave and Unleashed, pouring some Bolt Thrower heaviness, some Pestilence greatness, and throwing in an additional touch of Thrash Metal à la Slayer for a real homage to the golden days of yore, when Death Metal was memorable and riff-oriented to the hilt.
The release of the album quickly attracted a bigger, international following and the band started playing dozens of shows within and around the Netherlands. During these shows they shared the stage with bands like Malevolent Creation, Sinister, Gorguts and the legendary Bolt Thrower.
After two lineup changes the band called it quits in 2015, returning briefly in 2017 to release a single titled ‘The Godhand’, and then again in 2020 to release another single, titled ‘Sleeper’. After releasing those two songs, the band remained dormant until 2023, when they announced their comeback and started working for the second full-length album.
Memento Mori will unleash the CD version of their sophomore full-length on October 23rd, 2023. Further details to follow in the coming months.
More info: Ecocide; Memento Mori;