Integrity (band)

Integrity
Integrity in 2017
Background information
OriginCleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Years active1988 (1988)–present
Labels
Members
  • Dwid Hellion
Websiteholyterror.com

Integrity is a hardcore punk band originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but based in Belgium since 2003.[1][2] It was formed in 1988 by lead vocalist Dwid Hellion.[3]

The band has released nearly 50[quantify] recordings since 1988 as well as playing at hundreds[quantify] of shows including numerous global festival appearances. Their sound is a mix of hardcore punk and heavy metal, with influences including industrial, noise and experimental music. Lyrical themes include religion, the supernatural, art, philosophy, horror, as well as mental illness and the occult.

Musical style and legacy

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Integrity have cited influences including Celtic Frost, Septic Death, Black Sabbath, Samhain, Metallica, Joy Division, Bauhaus and Throbbing Gristle.[4]

According to its bio on Relapse Records website, Integrity was formed in Cleveland in 1988 and is considered to be one of the first bands to mix metal and hardcore in a way that would later become popular.[citation needed]

In the 2013 Decibel "Hall of Fame", Integrity's Systems Overload (1995, Victory Records) was referred to as "the landmark work in a grand and heretical oeuvre".[5]

Philip Trapp of Loudwire stated that Integrity "charted the course for metalcore to come", citing Dwid Hellion as one of the genre's most iconic vocalists.[6]

They have been cited as an influence by bands including All Pigs Must Die,[7] Clear,[8] Converge,[9] Full of Hell,[10] Hatebreed,[11] Overcast,[8] Pulling Teeth,[12] Rise and Fall[13] and Unbroken.[14]

Members

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Current members

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  • Dwid Hellion – vocals, keyboards (1988–present)[15]

Touring members

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  • Alex "The Beast" Henderson – drums (2011–present)
  • Francis "Darkest Prince" Kano – bass (2017–present)
  • Justin "Sexminn" Ethem – guitar (2018–present)

Former members

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  • Aaron Melnick – guitar, vocals (1988–1998)[15]
  • Frank Cavanaugh – guitar (1991)
  • Bill Mckinney – guitar (1991)
  • Chris Smith (II) – guitar (1991–1994)[16]
  • Frank "3 Gun" Novineck – guitar (1994–1998)[17]
  • Dave "Gravy" Felton – guitar (1998–2000)[15]
  • Vee Price – guitar, bass, vocals (2000–2002)
  • John Comprix – guitar (2003)
  • Blaze Tishko – guitar, vocals (2003)
  • Mike Jochum – guitar (2003–2009)
  • Matt Brewer – guitar (2005–2006)
  • Rob Orr – guitar, bass, drums (2006–2014)
  • Domenic Romeo – guitar, bass, organ (2014–2023)
  • Tom Front – bass (1988–1989)
  • Leon "Micha" Melnick – bass (1989–1998)[16]
  • Craig Martini – bass (1998–2000)
  • Steve Rauckhorst – bass (2003–2009)
  • Tiny Pines – drums (1988–1991)[16]
  • David Nicholi Araca – drums (1991–1994)
  • Chris Dora – drums (1996–1998)[18]
  • Steve Felton – drums (1998–2000)
  • Nate Jochum – drums (2005–2009)

Timeline

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Discography

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Integrity in 2017

Studio Albums

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EPs

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  • Den of Iniquity (EP) (1993)
  • Hooked, Lung, Stolen Breath Cunt (EP) (1994)
  • Final Taste of Every Sin (EP) (1999)
  • In Contrast of Tomorrow (EP) (2001, 2006)

Other

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  • Palm Sunday (Live) (2006, Aurora Borealis)
  • All Death Is Mine: Total Domination (Compilation) (2024, Relapse Records)

References

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  1. ^ "Integrity's Dwid Hellion on 'Suicide Black Snake,' Humanity and Charles Manson". MTV. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Hardcore metal band Integrity returns to Cleveland for first gig since 2005". cleveland.com. October 31, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Hardt-Valenzuela, Bruce (August 27, 2018). "30 years of Integrity: an interview with Dwid Hellion on his vast career". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "Integrity Interview". Thrasher. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "Integrity - "Systems Overload"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  6. ^ https://loudwire.com/who-invented-metalcore/
  7. ^ "10 Albums That Inspired All Pigs Must Die's "Hostage Animal"". Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Wiederhorn, Jon; Turman, Katherine (2013). Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal. It Books.
  9. ^ Breihan, Tom. "5-10-15-20: Converge's Kurt Ballou". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  10. ^ Hill, Mike. "Exploring Complexity With Full of Hell".
  11. ^ Thompson, Josh. "Hatebreed Brings Brutality and Wrath to Columbus". Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  12. ^ Yoe, Adam. "Former Pulling Teeth Singer Mike Riley on His Hardcore Archival Projects". Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  13. ^ "5 Albums That Influenced Rise and Fall, by Vocalist Bjorn Dossche". Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  14. ^ Bowden, Scott. "(((O))) : INTERVIEW: ROB MORAN FROM UNBROKEN". Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "Integrity biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Those Who Fear Tomorrow (Booklet). Integrity. Overkill. 1991. p. 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Systems Overload (Booklet). Integrity. Victory. 1995. p. 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Humanity is the Devil (Booklet). Integrity. Victory. 1996. p. 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ https://loudwire.com/who-invented-metalcore/
  20. ^ Adams, Gregory (March 21, 2013). "Integrity Announce 'Suicide Black Snake'". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  21. ^ Punknews.org (July 25, 2018). "Interviews: Dwid Hellion on Integrity's New Record, G.I.S.M., and Annihilation". punknews.org. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
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