| Divine Eve | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Catharsis (1992) Crimson Relic (1995 - 1996) |
| Origin | Plano, Texas |
| Genres | Death/Doom, Death Metal |
| Years active | 1992 - 1995, 2008 - Present |
| Labels | Nuclear Blast Records, Tarot Productions, Ibex Moon |
| Associated acts | Crimson Relic, Infernal Oak, Azathoth, Four Horsemen, Merciless, Obstruction, Steel Bearing Hand, Life Erased, Psychic Warfare, Gravehill, Stygian Crown |
| Website | Divine Eve Facebook |
Divine Eve are a death/doom band originating from Plano, Texas. Founded in the Winter of 1992, the band would derive influences from a wide range of early extreme metal sounds such as Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, Sodom, Venom, Bathory, Entombed, as well as Cathedral’s “Forest of Equilibrium” album. Lyrically, the band drew inspiration from pure visions of ancient, Pagan history, novel heretical ideologies and dismal shrouded dreams. Though only sporadically touring in both of the band's tenures, Divine Eve would share the stage with the likes of Absu, Acid Bath, Autopsy, Azathoth, Brutal Truth, Hate, Imprecation, Incantation, Morgue, Pungent Stench, Sadistic Intent, Solitude Aeternus and Vital Remains among others.
In the band's original run, Divine Eve would release two demos and an EP. Since reforming in 2008 the band has released an EP and a split 7".
History[]
Divine Eve was formed on a bleak, late winter day in February 1992 by Michael A. Sleavin (rhythm guitar & vocals) and Matthew Killen, (drums & backing vocals) both of whom were in a band called Catharsis. They were soon joined by Xan Hammack (lead guitar & vocals) and Tyson Lueck (bass & backing vocals) and were preparing for their debut recording, The Last of the Sunset Faded, in October 1992. Just before the studio sessions took place, Tyson quit the band and all bass tracks were recorded by Hammack. Tyson rejoined the fold six months later in May 1993 and remained a full-time member until their disintegration nearly two years later. 500 cassette copies of The Last of the Sunset Faded sold rapidly and by November 1993, Divine Eve was instantly signed to Nuclear Blast Records for Europe and Nuclear Blast America (Relapse) for the US, releasing As The Angels Weep in May 1993.
A new promotional EP was recorded in the winter of 1993/94 titled Essence of Dawn, which was supposed to be released by both Gothic Records (US) and Candlelight Records (UK) but never happened. One of the EP’s tracks, “Velvet of the Godless” appeared on the Nuclear Blast compilation Death…Is Just the Beginning III and impressed the label enough to sign them for what was then intended to be a debut full-length recording and extensive worldwide touring.
In August 1994, the bands toured the West Coast and Mexico supporting their two releases and were preparing songs for their first album. By April 1995, the conflictions amongst the members of Divine Eve were so hostile, they disbanded immediately. Hammack relocated to California and recorded the debut Divine Eve album under a new banner calling it Crimson Relic. He was accompanied by drummer Rhett Davis of Morgion and signed to the Nuclear Blast subsidiary Radiation Records to release Purgatory's Reign in 1996. However, with poor sales and reviews, Crimson Relic’s future was halted due to not holding up the capacity of what Divine Eve songs held.[1]
Sleavin and Killen went on to form Infernal Oak in 1995 with Geoffrey Sawicky and later Rape, Pillage & Burn in 2002 featuring Richard Cabeza (Dismember, Dark Funeral, Murder Squad, Etc) handling bass duties.
Tarot Productions would comprise an anthology compilation known as Upon These Ashes Scorn The World, released 29 May 2007. It would comprise of "As The Angels Weep", "Promo 94" and a cover of "Visions of Mortality" from In Memory of Celtic Frost.
Divine Eve would reform the next year. Hammack and Sleavin, along with bassist Scott Cooksey, would maintain the core reunion lineup. Matt Killen would participate in songwriting and studio recordings but would not tour, with the band hiring various musicians from the Texas metal scene to fill in the rhythm section. The band would release a new EP on 16 January 2010 entitled Vengeful and Obstinate, along with touring Europe for the first time to support it. The band has remained active, performing occasional shows and festivals with a wide range of touring acts.
Discography[]
Extended Plays[]
- As the Angels Weep (1993, Nuclear Blast Records)
- Vengeful and Obstinate (2010, Ibex Moon)
Other Releases[]
- The Last of The Sunset Faded (Demo) (1992, Self-Released)
- Apocalyptic Visions (Demo) (1994, Empire of Fire)
- Promo 1994 (Demo) (1994, Self-Released)
- Upon These Ashes Scorn the World (Compilation) (2007, Tarot Productions)
- Divine Eve / Vex (Split with Vex) (2010, Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)
Members[]
Current Lineup[]
- Xan Hammack - Guitar, Bass, Vocals (1992 - 1995, 2008 - Present)
- Matt Killen - Drums, Vocals (1992 - 1995, 2008 - Present)
- Michael A. Sleavin - Guitar, Vocals (1992 - 1995, 2008 - Present)
- Scott Cooksey - Bass (2008 - Present)
- Hell Messiah - Live Bass (2018 - Present)
- Rhett Davis - Live Drums (2018 - Present)
Past and Live-Only Members[]
- Tyson Lueck - Bass (1992, 1993 - 1995)
- Matt Preston - Drums (2008)
- Kyle Severn - Drums (2008 - 2009)
- Dave Slaughter - Drums (2000 - 2012)
List of Known Tours[]
- As The Angels Weep North American Tour (1994)
- 2009 Reunion Tour (2009)[2]
- The Flaming Arts (With Incantation, Hate, Nerve, Noctem) (2010)[3]