Pestilence is a Dutch Death Metal band. Formed in 1986, they developed a cult following and shifted towards Technical Death Metal with their album Testimony of the Ancients. Then in 1993, they really divided fans by releasing a Jazz Fusion and Progressive Metal album, Spheres, after which they broke up the following year. After a long period of absence, they reunited in 2008, and recorded a new album, Resurrection Macabre, returning to their Death Metal roots.
Members:
- Patrick Mameli – guitars (1986–1994, 2008–2014, 2016–present), vocals (1986–1987, 1990–1994, 2008–2014, 2016-present)
- Septimiu Hărşan – drums (2016–present)
- Edward Negrea – bass (2018–present)
- Rutger van Noordenburg – guitars (2019–present)
Notable Past Members:
- Patrick Uterwijk – guitars (1988–1994, 2008–2014)
- Marco Foddis – drums (1986–1994)
- Randy Meinhart – guitars (1986–1989)
- Martin van Drunen – vocals, bass (1987–1990)
- Tony Choy – bass (1991–1992, 2008–2009, 2016–2017)
- Jeroen Paul Thesseling – bass (1992–1994, 2009–2012)
- Stephan Fimmers – bass (2012–2013)
- George Maier – bass (2013–2014)
- Peter Wildoer – drums (2008)
- Yuma Van Eekelen – drums (2009–2012)
- Tim Yeung – drums (2012)
- Dave Haley – drums (2012–2014)
- Santiago Dobles – guitars (2016–2017)
- Tilen Hudrap – bass (2017–2018)
- Calin Paraschiv – guitars (2017–2019)
Discography:
- Malleus Maleficarum (1988)
- Consuming Impulse (1989)
- Testimony of the Ancients (1991)
- Sphere (1993)
- Resurrection Macabre (2009)
- Doctrine (2011)
- Obsideo (2013)
- Hadeon (2018)
- Exitivm (2020)
- Levels of Perception (2024)
Consuming Tropes:
- Concept Album: Testimony of the Ancients
- Death Growl: Both Mameli and van Drunen use a tortured-esque death growl, with the latter being one of the first vocalists to utilize the style.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Consuming Impulse was their only pure Death Metal album; Malleus Maleficarum was a death / thrash album. Coincidentially, both albums feature Martin van Drunen on lead vocals.
- Greatest Hits Album: Two notable ones. Mind Reflections was released in 1994 following the band's initial breakup. In 2020, Warner released Twisted Truth which is essentially an unsanctioned release comprising of their Roadrunner Records material.
- I Am the Band: Patrick Mameli, who is also the only constant member of Pestilence.
- Lead Bassist: Martin van Drunen was a Type B during his tenure.
- Metal Scream: Patrick Mameli and Martin van Drunen utilize a mixed Type 3 and 2.
- Nobody Loves the Bassist: Pestilence have had a total of eight different bassists in their career, including Martin van Drunen.
- Progressive Metal: This would become a part of Pestilence's sound beginning with Testimony of the Ancients
- With Spheres, they shifted to a more Jazz influenced Progressive Metal sound.
- Revolving Door Band: Just like Iced Earth, no two albums share a lineup. Pestilence has had over twenty members in their career.
