- Mind Assault
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Mind Assault Origin Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa Genres Melodic death metal Years active 2004 - Present Labels Independent Members Jacques Fourie
Francois Pretorius
Patrick Davidson
Donovan Tose
Andries SmitPast members Stephan Lenhoff Mind Assault is a South African melodic death metal band from Somerset West, Western Cape formed in late 2004. Their lyrics are inspired by social issues and frustration.[1]
Contents
History
In October 2004, Mind Assault made their first public appearance. The founding members of the band were: Jacques Fourie (ex- Deaf Division); Francois Pretorius (ex- Deaf Division); Patrick Davidson; and Donovan Tose (ex- Fudge). Because the Band couldn't find a drummer, a friend of the band, Stephan Lenhoff, took the postion, until Andries Smit (ex- Decay of Angels) replaced him at the beginning of 2007.
Mind Assault had recorded and released a demo EP in 2005 called Social Engineering, played a number of larger “alternative” concerts/festivals, and initiated a fresh concept of organizing large “party buses” to select performances, which in itself became an event that attracted a lot of additional fans.
By early 2006, Mind Assault had also played their first big cross-genre music festival to very receptive audiences, and completed their first national tour (DESTRUCTOUR'06) in partnership with South Africa 's most legendary metal act, SacriFist (begun in 1993!). The success of the tour had ensured the bands progress on a national level. Throughout that year, the band continued the ravaging of their home province, and beyond, gathering material for the planned home DVD release which was to follow.
2007 saw the release of Mind Assault's feature length DVD, “F*k Voort En Suip Baie” (the first of its kind in South Africa). They concluded the year with headlining slots at festivals such as “METAL4AFRICA”, “EMPYREAN FEST”, and “WHIPLASH”.
2008 proved to be even more exciting for Mind Assault, but has also been the most challenging in their career. In February, Mind Assault released their debut full length album Stigma at “METAL4AFRICA Summerfest”, smashing attendance records in the region for an all-African, all-metal event. 2008 included a headlining slot at “RAMFEST” , which is by far the home provinces largest annual cross-genre music festival. Also, they toured beyond the South African border into Namibia, acquiring whole new legions of fans. By half way through 2008, Mind Assault had already been booked to play alongside international visitors: Devil Driver (USA), Carcass (UK), and Nile (USA) for later that year, as well as to headline yet another “METAL4AFRICA” and “WHIPLASH”. Incidentally, Mind Assault are the only band ever to have been invited to play “WHIPLASH” five years in a row!.[2] Consequently, neither Nile nor Devil Driver reached African shores.
The band also initiated another round of the country with old friends, SacriFist for DESTRUCTOUR '08.,[3] but settled down towards the end of that year in light of economic down-turn. In 2009 they maintained a slowed pace under the public eye, but continued work on new material and worked on delivering some of the most entertaining performances seen in African metal.
Musical style and direction
The band's music combines brutality with melody to create a powerful mixture. Guttural vocals in a mix of English and Afrikaans (one of the native languages in South Africa). They were the first band to use Afrikaans on a regular basis in extreme metal.[4]
"This band has a very brutal side that reminds me a bit of old Sepultura crossed with Divine Heresy as well as a speedy technical side that brings Dragonforce to mind"[5]
"...powerful guttural vocals, strong riffs and aggressive drumming..."[6]
The band's lyrics focuses on social issues and frustration, but also upliftment in the metal scene.[7]
Band members
Current members
- Jacques Fourie - vocals (2004–present)
- Francois Pretorius - lead guitar (2004–present)
- Patrick Davidson - rhythm guitar (2004–present)
- Donovan Tose - bass guitar (2004–present)
- Andries Smit - drums (2007–present)
Previous members
- Stephan Lenhoff - drums (2004–2007)
Discography
Albums
- Stigma (2008) Metal Archives Review Lords of Metal Review
Ep's
- Social Engineering (2005)
Compilations
- Fear the Noise (2006)
- Innocent Blood (2006)
- Hammer The Masses (2007)
DVD's
- F*k Voort en Suip Baie DVD (2007) Review
References
- ^ Encyclopaedia Metallum
- ^ Dave Sass, Subterania Music
- ^ Official Mind Assault Biography
- ^ Lords of Metal Interview
- ^ Chris Beaumont — Published: Nov 21, 2008 at 7:31 am
- ^ Mourits De Beer, April 13th, 2008
- ^ Mind Assault lyrics
External links
Categories:- South African melodic death metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 2004
- Musical quintets
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