Integrity (band)

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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 plays punk, hardcore, and metal-related music, and 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 noise, punk, blues, hardcore 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[edit]

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.

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

Hellion has also had numerous side projects, including his electronic project, Psywarfare[5] and horror-themed, Vermapyre. He has also worked with the band Enforced.[6]

In July 2017, Hellion was featured on the cover of Decibel magazine, No. 153. He is quoted as saying "I do not listen to much new music. When I need a new album to listen to, I make one."[7] Previously, in 2013, Integrity's Systems Overload (1995, Victory Records) was featured in the Decibel "Hall of Fame". In feature, the album is referred to as "the landmark work in a grand and heretical oeuvre".[8]

Members[edit]

Current members
  • Dwid Hellion – vocals, keyboards (1988–present)[9]
Touring members
  • Alex "The Beast" Henderson – drums (2011–present)
  • Francis "Darkest Prince" Kano – bass (2017–present)
  • Justin "Sexminn" Ethem – guitar (2018–present)
Former members
  • Aaron Melnick – guitar, vocals (1988–1998)[9]
  • Frank Cavanaugh – guitar (1991)
  • Bill Mckinney – guitar (1991)
  • Chris Smith (II) – guitar (1991–1994)[10]
  • Frank "3 Gun" Novineck – guitar (1994–1998)[11]
  • Dave "Gravy" Felton – guitar (1998–2000)[9]
  • 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)[10]
  • Craig Martini – bass (1998–2000)
  • Steve Rauckhorst – bass (2003–2009)
  • Tiny Pines – drums (1988–1991)[10]
  • David Nicholi Araca – drums (1991–1994)
  • Chris Dora – drums (1996–1998)[12]
  • Steve Felton – drums (1998–2000)
  • Nate Jochum – drums (2005–2009)

Timeline

Discography[edit]

Integrity in 2017

Source:[13]

  • Those Who Fear Tomorrow (1991, Overkill)
  • Den of Iniquity (EP) (1993)
  • Hooked, Lung, Stolen Breath Cunt (EP) (1994)
  • Systems Overload (1995, Victory)
  • Humanity is the Devil (1996, Victory)
  • Seasons in the Size of Days (1997, Victory)
  • Integrity 2000 (1999, Victory)
  • Final Taste of Every Sin (EP) (1999)
  • Closure (2001, Victory)
  • In Contrast of Tomorrow (EP) (2001, 2006)
  • To Die For (2003, Deathwish)
  • Palm Sunday (live album) (2006, Aurora Borealis)
  • The Blackest Curse (2010, Deathwish)
  • Suicide Black Snake (2013, A389/Magic Bullet)[14]
  • Howling, For the Nightmare Shall Consume (2017, Relapse Records)[3][15]
  • All Death Is Mine: Total Domination (2024, Relapse Records)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Integrity's Dwid Hellion on 'Suicide Black Snake,' Humanity and Charles Manson". MTV. 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. ^ "Sound as a Weapon: Integrity's Dwid Hellion on Psywarfare's Legacy". Noisey. June 29, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  6. ^ "Hear Integrity's Dwid Hellion Rage on Enforced's New Ripper "Skinned Alive"". Revolver. June 4, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "Hardcore Legends Integrity Grace the Cover of the Latest Decibel". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  8. ^ "Integrity - "Systems Overload"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c "Integrity biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  10. ^ 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)
  11. ^ Systems Overload (Booklet). Integrity. Victory. 1995. p. 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Humanity is the Devil (Booklet). Integrity. Victory. 1996. p. 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ "Integrity: Integrity 2000". allmusic. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  14. ^ Adams, Gregory (March 21, 2013). "Integrity Announce 'Suicide Black Snake'". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  15. ^ 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.

External links[edit]