| Ogre | |
|---|---|
 Ogre circa 2008. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Portland, Maine, USA |
| Genres | Traditional Doom Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock |
| Years active | 1999 - 2009, 2012, 2013 - Present |
| Labels | Leaf Hound Records, Minotauro, Cruz Del Sur |
| Associated acts | Blood Farmers, Dementia Five, Hello Monster, The Vivisectors, Ocean, Hatchetface & The Vipers |
| Website | Ogre Facebook |
Ogre are a doom metal band based out of Maine. Initially forming in 1999, Ogre performed a style of traditional doom metal and heavy rock inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath, Rush, Deep Purple and AC/DC to name a few. After attaining buzz in the underground community early on the band released three albums in their initial run until 2009. Following a reunion in 2012 and keeping on as of 2013, Ogre have since released two more critically acclaimed albums.
Along with critical acclaim the band has managed to win local awards, specifically the Portland Phoenix's "Best Heavy Music Act" in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
History[]
Ogre was founded in September 1999 by Will Broadbent and Ross Markonish, both of whom had played in Blood Farmers at the time and both were interested in starting a new band inspired by classic doom and 60s/70s rock. Not long after bassist/vocalist Ed Cunningham would join the fold and self-releasing a demo not long after. Gaining buzz among underground members of the stoner and doom scene, Ogre began playing more frequently, notably with the likes of Abdullah and Place of Skulls to name a few.
Ogre would record their debut album in the Summer of 2002 at Big Sound Studios in Westbrook, Maine. Recording would be finished by December and mastering the next April. Dawn of The Proto-Man saw release on 23 October 2003[1] to positive reviews from Hellride Music Forums and other places. Ogre would go dormant for a short time before playing out for more frequent shows over the next few years, including their fifth anniversary show on 14 September 2004.
The mid 2000s would see occasional shows with the likes of Devil To Pay, Bongzilla, Earthride and Yob among others. Ogre would tour with Ichabod in the Spring of 2006. The band would also sign with Japanese label Leaf Hound Records and release Seven Hells on 9 October 2006 to positive reviews. In 2007 the band would make a marquee appearance at Doom or Be Doomed. Work would begin on a follow-up at Arcadia Recording Company in Portland, Maine.
Conceptualized as a single thirty-seven minute song in eleven sections, Plague of The Planet would be released in April 2008 to positive reception. To support the album, Ogre would embark on a four-day tour Japan with a reunited Blood Farmers as part of Doom Age Festival. Among other gigs with Earthride and The Hounds of Hasselvander the band would also make appearances at Born Too Late and the tenth edition of Stoner Hands of Doom.[2] However by the end of 2009 Ogre would disband for reasons largely unknown.
Ogre would reunite in 2012 on 1 September at Geno's Rock Club in Portland, Maine. Along with that reunion show saw a self-released compilation known as Secondhand Demons, featuring demos and covers. On 26 July 2013 Ogre would officially return with a gig at Geno's[3], followed by a gig supporting Nik Turner's Hawkwind.[4] Ogre would begin work on a fourth studio album which would even include a cover of the 1960s rock band Ogre. The Last Neanderthal would see release via Minotauro Records on 21 February 2014 to positive reviews. A release party would be hosted on 14 March 2014[5] followed by an appearance at Eye of the Stoned Goat and a re-issue campaign via Minotauro Records.
Ogre would remain active in the Maine heavy scene performing gigs alongside locals or supporting touring acts, even performing two dates in Russia in 2018. Work would begin on a fifth album not long after, leading to the release of Thrice As Strong on 25 October 2019. The release party for the album on 14 December 2019 would also serve as the band's 20th anniversary show.[6]
Discography[]
Studio Albums[]
- Dawn of the Proto-Man (2003, Wurmhole)
- Seven Hells (2006, Leaf Hound Records)
- Plague of the Planet (2008, Leaf Hound Records)
- The Last Neanderthal (2014, Minotauro)
- Thrice as Strong (2019, Cruz Del Sur)
Other Releases[]
- Demo 2000 (Demo) (2000, Self-Released)
- Unleashed from the Northeast (Split LP with Upwards of Endtime, Blood Red) (1999, Swayingball)
- Secondhand Demons (Compilation) (2012, Wurmhole)
Members[]
- Ed Cunningham - Bass, Vocals (1999 - 2009, 2012, 2013 - Present)
- Ross Markonish - Guitar (1999 - 2009, 2012, 2013 - Present)
- Will Broadbent - Drums (1999 - 2009, 2012, 2013 - Present)
List of Known Tours[]
- 2006 North American Tour (With Agnosis) (2006)[7]
- Doom Age Festival (With Blood Farmers, Church of Misery, Eternal Elysium) (2008)
- 2018 Russia Tour (2018)[8]