View source for Asphyx

{{Short description|Dutch death metal band}}
{{For|the film|The Asphyx}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Asphyx
| image             = AsphyxBand.jpg
| caption           = Asphyx performing in London, 2007
| landscape         = Yes
| origin            = [[Oldenzaal]], [[Overijssel]], Netherlands
| genre             = {{flatlist|
*[[Death metal]]
*[[death-doom]]}}
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
*1987–1994
*1995–1996
*1997–2000
*2007–present
}}
| label             = [[Century Media Records|Century Media]]
| spinoffs          = [[Soulburn]]<br />[[Hail of Bullets]]<br />[[Grand Supreme Blood Court]]
| website           = {{url|asphyx.nl}}
| current_members   = [[Martin van Drunen]]<br />Paul Baayens<br />Alwin Zuur<br />Stefan Hüskens
| past_members      = Bob Bagchus<br />Tony Brookhuis<br />Eric Daniels<br />Joost<br />Chuck Colli<br />Theo Loomans<br />Ron van Pol<br />Sander van Hoof<br />Heiko Hanke<br />Ronny van der Wey<br />Wannes Gubbels
}}
'''Asphyx''' is a Dutch [[death metal]] band formed in [[Oldenzaal]], [[Overijssel]] in 1987 by Bob Bagchus and Tony Brookhuis. Since 2014, no original members are still in the band. Vocalist [[Martin van Drunen]] is the only current and long-term member that appeared on their debut album.
== History ==
The band was formed in 1987 by Bob Bagchus and Tony Brookhuis. Joost was picked up for vocals and bass, but was replaced by Chuck Colli after the release of the first demo ''Carnage Remains''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asphyx - Carnage Remains - Encyclopaedia Metallum|url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Asphyx/Carnage_Remains/258948|access-date=August 14, 2022}}</ref> This line-up released the ''Enter the Domain'' demo after, which Eric Daniels was found as a second guitarist.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.archaicmetallurgy.com/biography.php?bid=3354&PHPSESSID=c8
| title=Asphyx history
| publisher=archaicmetallurgy.com
| access-date=8 March 2008}}</ref> In March 1989, Colli was replaced by Theo Loomans and the band recorded the ''Crush the Cenotaph'' demo. Brookhuis then left the band and the remaining three recorded ''Embrace the Death'', an album which was never released because of label problems.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
After leaving [[Pestilence (band)|Pestilence]] in the early 1990s, Martin van Drunen joined Asphyx and the band signed to [[Century Media Records]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://site.voila.fr/NIHILISTIC/Interviews/Vandrunen.htm| title=Interview of Martin Van Drunen| publisher=Nihilistic Holocaust| access-date=8 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080416151255/http://site.voila.fr/NIHILISTIC/Interviews/Vandrunen.htm| archive-date= 16 April 2008}}</ref> After the release of their first album, ''The Rack'', they went on a European tour with [[Entombed (band)|Entombed]], followed by a tour with [[Bolt Thrower]] and [[Benediction (band)|Benediction]] in 1992. Shortly after the recording of the second album, ''Last One on Earth'', van Drunen left the band, to be replaced by Ron van der Pol. Eventually Bagchus left the band as well and was replaced by Sander van Hoof.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
In 1994 the band released its third, self-titled album, disbanding shortly afterward. In 1995, Loomans and Bagchus reformed Asphyx and recorded ''God Cries''. Around the same time, the album ''Embrace the Death'' (which was recorded in 1990) was released, and the band broke up again. In 1998, Loomans died unexpectedly after a train struck his car (with circumstances suggesting an act of suicide). Later, Soulburn was founded by Bagchus and Daniels, in collaboration with Pentacle singer and bassist Wannes Gubbels. The group recorded and released ''Feeding on Angels''.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/asphyx2.htm
| title=Interview of Bob Bagchus
| publisher=voicesfromthedarkside.de
| access-date=8 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080312205121/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/asphyx2.htm| archive-date= 12 March 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> In 1999, they renamed the project Asphyx and recorded the ''On the Wings of Inferno'' album with the same line up. However, Asphyx disbanded again in 2000.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/asphyx.htm
| title=Interview of Wannes Gubbels
| publisher=voicesfromthedarkside.de
| access-date=8 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080312205116/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/asphyx.htm| archive-date= 12 March 2008}}</ref>
In January 2007, the band re-united with van Drunen, Gubbels, Paul Baayens and Bagchus. They did not intend to record a new album, but focused only on live performances. However, in January 2008, they recorded a cover of a [[Celtic Frost]] song and a new song called "Death...The Brutal Way". In July 2008, they announced that new material was being prepared. ''[[Death...The Brutal Way]]'' was released in June 2009 by Century Media.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.archaicmetallurgy.com/bandnews.php?nid=855&PHPSESSID=c8
| title=Asphyx to record new material
| publisher=archaicmetallurgy.com
| date=4 January 2008
| access-date=8 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="deathmix">{{cite web
| url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=151579101&blogId=469474646
| title=Dan Swanö will mix the new Asphyx album!
| publisher=Asphyx myspace page
| date=9 February 2009
| access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref> It was released in North America by Ibex Moon Records on 18 August 2009, quickly becoming the distributor's best seller.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ibexmoonrecords.com/world-asphyx.html
|title=Ibex Moon Records Licenses New ASPHYX Album for U.S. Release
|publisher=ibexmoonrecords.com
|date=11 June 2009
|access-date=9 March 2010
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217160805/http://www.ibexmoonrecords.com/world-asphyx.html
|archive-date=17 December 2009
}}</ref>
On 30 November 2011 Asphyx finished recording on their eighth studio album entitled ''[[Deathhammer]]'' which was set to be released on 27 February 2012 in Europe and 28 February 2012 in North America via Century Media Records.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=74509 |title=Asphyx Announces New Album "Deathhammer" Details |publisher=Metal Underground.com |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/asphyx-deathhammer-cover-artwork-unveiled/ |title=ASPHYX: 'Deathhammer' Cover Artwork Unveiled |publisher=[[blabbermouth.net]] |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref>
In March 2014, founding member Bob Bagchus parted ways from the band and leaving the band with no original members. He was replaced by Stefan Hüskens as the new drummer.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
On 14 October 2015, Asphyx made an announcement they are working on a new album at the end of November for the long-awaited ''Deathhammer'' follow up and begin their first tour at Latin America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=117277 |title=Tour Announced By Asphyx, Work On New Album Expected To Begin |publisher=Metal Underground.com |date=14 October 2015 |access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref>
== Members ==
[[File:VanDrunen-2007.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Martin van Drunen]] in concert, 2007]]
=== Current members ===
*[[Martin van Drunen]] – vocals (1990–1992, 2007–present), bass (1990–1992)
*Paul Baayens – guitar (2007–present)
*Alwin Zuur – bass (2010–present)
*Stefan Hüskens – drums (2014–present)
=== Former members ===
*Tony Brookhuis – guitar (1987–1989)
*Bob Bagchus – drums (1987–1993, 1995–1996, 1997–2000, 2007–2014)
*Eric Daniels – guitar (1989–1995, 1996, 1997–2000)
*Joost – vocals, bass (1987–1988)
*Chuck Colli – vocals, bass (1988–1989)
*Theo Loomans – vocals, bass, guitar (1989–1990, 1995–1996; died 1998)
*Ron van Pol – vocals, bass (1992–1994)
*Sander van Hoof – drums (1993–1994)
*Heiko Hanke – keyboards (1994)
*Ronny van der Wey – guitar (1988–1989, 1995)
*Wannes Gubbels – bass, vocals (1997–2000, 2007–2010)
=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:300
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:50
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1987 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Colors =
id:vocals    value:red        legend:Vocals
id:guitar   value:green      legend:Guitars
id:bass      value:blue    legend:Bass
id:keyboards      value:purple    legend:Keyboards
id:drums     value:orange legend:Drums
id:Lines     value:black      legend:Studio_albums
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1988
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1987
BarData =
bar:Joost    text:"Joost"
bar:Chuck    text:"Chuck Colli"
bar:Theo     text:"Theo Loomans"
bar:Martin   text:"Martin van Drunen"
bar:Ron      text:"Ron van Pol"
bar:Wannes   text:"Wannes Gubbels"
bar:Alwin    text:"Alwin Zuur"
bar:Tony     text:"Tony Brookhuis"
bar:Ronny    text:"Ronny van der Wey"
bar:Eric     text:"Eric Daniels"
bar:Paul     text:"Paul Baayens"
bar:Heiko    text:"Heiko Hanke"
bar:Bob      text:"Bob Bagchus"
bar:Sander   text:"Sander van Hoof"
bar:Stef     text:"Stefan Hüskens"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Bob      from:01/01/1987 till:01/11/1993 color:drums
bar:Sander   from:01/11/1993 till:01/10/1994 color:drums
bar:Bob      from:01/09/1995 till:01/02/1997 color:drums
bar:Bob      from:01/08/1998 till:01/04/2000 color:drums
bar:Bob      from:01/06/2007 till:01/05/2014 color:drums
bar:Stef     from:01/05/2014 till:end        color:drums
bar:Tony     from:01/01/1987 till:20/12/1989 color:guitar
bar:Eric     from:01/06/1989 till:01/09/1995 color:guitar
bar:Eric     from:01/06/1996 till:01/02/1997 color:guitar
bar:Ronny    from:01/09/1988 till:01/06/1989 color:guitar
bar:Ronny    from:01/09/1995 till:01/12/1995 color:guitar
bar:Theo    from:01/12/1995 till:10/05/1996 color:guitar width:7
bar:Eric     from:01/08/1998 till:01/04/2000 color:guitar
bar:Paul     from:01/06/2007 till:end        color:guitar
bar:Heiko     from:01/01/1994 till:01/04/1994        color:keyboards
bar:Joost    from:01/01/1987 till:01/02/1988 color:vocals
bar:Joost    from:01/01/1987 till:01/02/1988 color:bass width:3
bar:Chuck    from:01/01/1988 till:01/02/1989 color:vocals
bar:Chuck    from:01/01/1988 till:01/02/1989 color:bass width:3
bar:Theo     from:01/02/1989 till:01/02/1990 color:vocals
bar:Theo     from:01/02/1989 till:01/02/1990 color:bass width:3
bar:Martin   from:01/02/1990 till:01/11/1992 color:vocals
bar:Martin   from:01/02/1990 till:01/01/1992 color:bass width:3
bar:Ron      from:01/01/1992 till:01/10/1994 color:bass
bar:Ron      from:01/01/1992 till:01/10/1994 color:bass width:3
bar:Ron      from:01/11/1992 till:01/10/1994 color:vocals
bar:Theo     from:01/09/1995 till:01/02/1997 color:vocals
bar:Theo     from:01/09/1995 till:01/02/1997 color:bass width:3
bar:Wannes   from:01/08/1998 till:01/04/2000 color:bass width:3
bar:Wannes   from:01/08/1998 till:01/04/2000 color:vocals
bar:Martin   from:01/06/2007 till:end        color:vocals
bar:Wannes   from:01/06/2007 till:01/02/2010 color:bass
bar:Alwin    from:01/02/2010 till:end        color:bass
LineData =
at:01/04/1991 color:black layer:back
at:01/07/1992 color:black layer:back
at:01/03/1994 color:black layer:back
at:01/02/1996 color:black layer:back
at:12/12/1996 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2000 color:black layer:back
at:03/05/2009 color:black layer:back
at:01/03/2012 color:black layer:back
at:30/09/2016 color:black layer:back
at:22/01/2021 color:black layer:back
}}
== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
* ''[[The Rack (album)|The Rack]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Last One on Earth]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Asphyx (album)|Asphyx]]'' (1994)
* ''[[God Cries]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Embrace the Death]]'' (1996; recorded in 1990)
* ''[[On the Wings of Inferno]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Death...The Brutal Way]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Deathhammer]]'' (2012)
* ''Incoming Death'' (2016)
* ''Necroceros'' (2021)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davey, Angela |date=19 January 2021 |title=Album review: Asphyx – Necroceros |work=[[Kerrang!]] |url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-asphyx-necroceros/ |access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref>
=== Live albums ===
* ''Live Death Doom'' (2010 double live album and DVD)
=== Extended plays (EPs) ===
* ''[[Crush the Cenotaph]]'' (1992)
* ''Servants of Death'' (2016)
=== Singles ===
* ''Mutilating Process'' (1989)
* ''Death the Brutal Way'' (2008)
* ''Reign of the Brute'' (2012)
* ''Deathibel'' (2016)
=== Demos ===
* ''Carnage Remains'' (1988)
* ''Enter the Domain'' (1989)
* ''Crush the Cenotaph'' (1989)
* ''Promo '91'' (1991)
* ''Promo '95'' (1995)
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.angelfire.com/zine2/cosmicmetal/asphyx.html Asphyx bio on angelfire]
{{Asphyx}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Dutch death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Dutch doom metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Dutch heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1994]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2000]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Dutch musical quartets]]