Artist description Thrash Metal from Portugal. Heavy and mercyless...

Music Style Thrash Metal

Musical Influences Slayer, Kreator, Death, The Haunted, Exodus, Pantera, Cannibal Corpse, Megadeth

Similar Artists Slayer, Exodus, Pantera, The Haunted, Kreator

Artist History 1995/1996: WITHERING’s roots go back to January 1995, when Ricardo Rocha (vocals), �lvaro Fernandes (drums), Ricardo Barbosa (bass) and Jo�o Paulo (guitar) got together to form a band. Back then, they were called Threat and they played Hard-Core. When everything seemed to be ok, Jo�o Paulo left the band without any particular reason. The band stopped to think about the future and what they really wanted. After inviting Pedro Vieira (ex-Atmosfear and ex-Profane) for the guitar, �lvaro switched from drums guitar, and Jo�o, a new drummer was recruited. With the correct line-up, WITHERING was born from the ashes of Threat. WITHERING’s destructive path began on 30th December ‘95. They started to rehearse and played live for the first time on the 2nd of March ‘96. WITHERING’s first line-up was: Ricardo Rocha (vocals), �lvaro Fernandes (guitar), Ricardo Barbosa (bass) and Jo�o (drums). After the 1st show they were invited to a gig at a one-night show of the “High Radiation Tour” (a tour to promote a compilation CD, with the same name of the independent Portuguese label, Independent Recs.), with Fears Tomb. After the 1st time they played live, the band never stopped. The first release was a rehearsal-tape called “Dreams of Anguish” in February 1996. In July of the same year the “Rehearsal Tape ‘96” was released and guaranteed WITHERING the first air-play on the best Portuguese Underground metal radio show at the time called “Caronte Met�lico”. On the 26th of August ‘96 they played at the “1� Festival de Metal Underground do Porto ‘96” (“Porto’s 1st Underground Metal Festival ‘96”) and recorded their live performance that was released in September ’96 in a promo-tape format called “Live at Palha D’A�o Bar”. It included the songs “Wrong Advice”, “Dreams of Anguish” and “Another Reality”. This promo-tape had free distribution. It gave the band airplay on many Portuguese radio shows. As a result of the promotion, WITHERING were invited by the independent label Guardians of Metal to include a song in a compilation Cd called “Guardians of Metal Vol IV” among other Portuguese Underground bands. On the 29th of November ‘96, WITHERING entered Rec ‘N’ Roll studios to record the first professional demo-tape. Lu�s Barros (from Tarantula) produced and mixed this work. This demo includes 3 songs: “Deceived Humanity, Lost Insanity”, “Self frustration” and “Another Reality” in a total running time of approximately 23 minutes of a powerful and melodic Thrash/Death Metal. It is called “Another Reality”, recorded in chrome tapes, with professional sound recording, professional black and white lay-out, including lyrics, photos, etc. The public release of “Another Reality” was held on the 13th of December ‘96 at Sinatra’s Bar in Porto, having the bands Fusion and Crack Down as special guests. After its release, the band had excellent reviews referring to the sound and quality as well. Besides this, WITHERING won three musical contests and participated in many festivals. In April ‘97 they were invited by the organization Honor Sanguine in order for them to take care of the management. In June ‘97, bass player Ricardo Barbosa left the band and Daniel Silva (ex-Endless and ex-Profane) took his place starting to play at the second gig of WITHERING’s tour. The “Another Reality tour ‘97” took WITHERING to thirteen Shows all over Portugal in three months. In July ‘97 they were invited to play in Vigo, Spain but unfortunately the band couldn’t make it. 1997/2002: 1997 In May, the band began its first tour promoting the debut demo-tape “Another Reality”, named “Another Reality Tour ‘97” which ended in October completing a total of 13 shows of which WITHERING had the pleasure to share the stage with the likes of 2Kill (RIP), Maria Juana (RIP), Affright (now Melodrama), Crackdown (now Strain-RIP), Unburn (RIP), Profane (RIP), Primitive Reason, Mindsnare (RIP), This Isn’t Luxury, Nocturnal Symphony (RIP), Genocide, L�crima (RIP), Kormoss, among others... 11th of October was the day chosen to officially end “Another Reality Tour ‘97”. This was also the year the band won two musical contests. On the 25th of October, WITHERING opened to Genocide and on the 7th of November to the well known Portuguese, Sacred Sin. 1998 The year didn’t begin in the best way, due to some problems with the line–up. The dates booked to record their second work had to be cancelled. After overcoming all the problems (the line–up remained the same), WITHERING entered Rec ‘N’ Roll studios to work, once again, with producer Lu�s Barros on the 9th of May. By the 15th, the recordings were ready. This work had two editions: The “Promo-Tape ‘98” with 4 songs (“Messenger of God”, “Evil Thoughts”, “Remains of the Past” and “The Sinner”) the main purpose of which was to promote the band on labels; and a promo–track named “Remains of the Past” that only included the theme–title and it served as a means to show the band to the media and to the public in general. The promotion of this release was made on a tour called “Remains of the... Tour ‘98”, which began on the 6th of June in Lisbon, during the 3rd edition of the Feira Mix and proceeded to 9 more gigs. Some of the most important dates were the 12th of June at a musical contest where, once again, they won, the 10th of September at the Hard–Club; 12th of the same month at the 8th edition of the Penafiel’s Heavy Metal Festival with Profane (RIP), Agonizing Terror (RIP), In Solitude, Crackdown (now Strain-RIP), Haus En Factor, Paulo Barros, Genocide and Anger; and on the 13th of December, again at Hard–Club with Heavy/ Black metallers, First Born Evil (now The Firstborn). In this same month, the “Remains of the... Tour ‘98” ended, as well as the rest of the performances booked in order to take a break to compose new material to include in their next release. In the edition referring to the 30th of December of Portuguese Di�rio dos A�ores’ newspaper in the supplement “Stage Diving”, WITHERING is nominated in two different categories: - Best Portuguese Newcomer Act; - Best Portuguese Demo-tape. 1999 In February, guitarist Pedro Vieira left the band and WITHERING replaced him with Andr� Cruz. In March, “Promo-tape ‘98” won the award for best metal demo of 1998 in the official ceremony of the election of the best 1998 Portuguese demos. Meanwhile, this same month, the compilation Cd “Pure Underground–vol. 3”, which included the song “The Sinner” was released by Repulse Recs. (Spa.) and distributed by Spanish magazine Necromance. In April, WITHERING was featured in another compilation CD named “Cais do Rock”, with the same track. In August, the band played at the biggest summer festival in Portugal, Paredes de Coura, in the secondary stage. Guano Apes was one of the many bands featured in that event. A month later, a friend and fan, Ricardo (aka Aggression), gave birth to the official WITHERING Fan Club via Internet where it could be seen at: http://withering.virtualave.net (now offline). Then, bad luck struck again in September and the vocalist, Ricardo Rocha, left the band due to musical differences. 2000 After rehearsing with some possible candidates, in January they found Pedro Gouveia, who fitted best into the band’s spirit in every way. He had already been part of another Portuguese Thrash band named Dove, when he had the chance to record four demos and had played all across the country. However, and to complicate the band’s evolution and work even more, the drummer, Jo�o, decided to leave WITHERING and Hugo Moreira was found to be the best substitute. On the 28th and the 29th of April, WITHERING entered Trigger Studios to record the song “No Justice… No Peace…” in order to appear in a compilation cd from that same studio and be released as the advance promo-cd of the “now being planned” third professional release. It is produced by Rui Danin. Due to some problems, the song had to be recorded again and the band had to return in June. Meanwhile, Hugo Moreira was invited to leave WITHERING. Rui Danin temporarily solved that, as he accepted to play on the advance promo-cd. He now became WITHERING’s producer and drummer. It was recorded on the 20th/21st of June and on 4th/5th of July. In September, Ricardo Teixeira was invited to be the new drummer. The rehearsals began once again. Meanwhile, the band decided to include with “No Justice… No Peace…” the four songs released in “Promo-Tape’98”. Although, “Remains of the Past” was re-mixed and re-mastered in Trigger studios by Rui Danin in October. The vocals and solos were newly recorded, reflecting the way the band now sounds like. The advance promo-cd is called “Under the Ground”. 2001 The year didn’t start in the best way and in January, guitarist Andr� Silva left the band. WITHERING decided to fire the drummer Ricardo Teixeira, due to his lack of interest. Now, new members would join, a new name would be given and a new band would be born. --------------------------THE REBIRTH-------------------------- After all these changes, the band decided to change its name and to renew its attitude. In April they began to be known as PITCH BLACK and two new elements joined forces. Francisco Martins replaced the open spot left in drums and Francisco Guimar�es completed the line-up as the new solo guitarist. The PITCH BLACK logo was created by Michael Schindler of Dragon Design who also worked with names like Mystic Circle, Mot�rhead, Master, Dispatched, Crematory, Sacred Sin, Brain Storm, Hate Squad, Cryptopsy, Holy Moses, Infestdead, Wizard, Ragnarok, Music For Nations, Nuclear Blast, Shiver Recs., amongst others. During this same month, came the opportunity to record a track to be featured in the first Portuguese compilation cd tribute. The band chosen in homage was Tarantula who was celebrating its 20-year career. PITCH BLACK chose to do not one, but several songs in the shape of a medley, combining some of Tarantula’s riffs and playing all in a Thrash Metal way. This medley is called “Dark Dream of Freedom III”, a title that refers to the name of the albums where the parts of the songs were taken from. In May the band went once again to Trigger studios and the version was recorded on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 21st. Rui Danin was the producer. Right after the recordings of “Dark Dream of Freedom III”, the drummer Francisco Martins left the band due to lack of time, being immediately replaced by the first Withering drummer, Jo�o, who returned after two years away from the band. PITCH BLACK began to rehearse more often and started to create new, fresh songs. In October, the short film “Len�o Preto” was released and featured as part of the OST, the song “No Justice… No Peace…”. The OST wasn’t released on cd and can only be heard in the movie, available in vhs format. The long awaited return to the stage had now become a reality with the organization of a benefit show called “All For One” for Chuck Schuldiner who, unfortunately, passed away a few weeks later. PITCH BLACK joined forces with Sacred Sin in order to promote this event. November the 24th at the Hard Club was the day and place chosen for these two bands to pay homage to the Godfather of Death Metal along with three other Portuguese acts: Holocausto Canibal, Genocide and Ciborium. This show was the only one that featured the returning drummer jo�o to the band as he left it right after it. To complete the sequence of comebacks, drummer Francisco Martins returned and filled the gap left by Jo�o. 2002 February sets the time PITCH BLACK returned to stage destruction with a series of live performances. Two in Porto and the others in Alij�, S. J. Madeira, Sto. Tirso and Coimbra. During this time PITCH BLACK joined forces with the likes of Beyond The Litany, Lost Dreams In Fear, E.A.K., Demon Dagger, ThanatoSchizO and Holocausto Canibal. Meanwhile, the solo guitarist, Francisco Guimar�es, is invited to leave the band in July due to lack of interest and musical differences. Time to settle things out and prepare the upcoming full-length debut cd. The first album will be called “Thrash Killing Machine” and the folowing tracks (without any order) will be recorded: Dawn of a New Era; Disturbing the Peace; Divine Not Human; Before My Eyes, Beheaded; Lost In Words; Pitch Black; SuffocHate; Standards of Perfection and New Life, New Breed. The recordings began on the 28th August at Trigger Studios with Rui Danin being the Producer.

Group Members Pedro Gouveia - Inhuman Throat Ripper Alvaro Fernandes - Thrash Rhythm Machine Ana Prestes - Punctual Leading Chainsaw Daniel Silva - Four-string Machinery Hammer Francisco Martins - Double Chained Destructive Artillery

Instruments 1 vocalist, 2 guitars, 1 bass and 1 drummer

Albums October ’96 – Promo-tape “Live at Palha D’ A�o Bar”, December ’96 – Demo-tape “Another Reality”, June ’98 – Promo-tape “Promo-tape ‘98”, June ’98 – Promo-track “Remains of the Past”, February ’02 – Promo-cd “Under the Ground” and several appearences on tape and compilation cds, including in a tribute and an OST of a Portuguese short-film

Press Reviews ANOTHER REALITY DEMO '96: “(...) Three aggressive Thrash songs, which shows that this band in live concerts must have plenty of energy (...)” - Metal Works fanzine #1 - “(...) Very powerful and rhythmic Thrash/Power (...) with good compositions. (...) This quintet’s talent makes us never to be tired during the listening of this Demo... and through the last song, even tastes to few. Three easy listening songs that must be dynamite when played live.” - Tenser fanzine #4 - “(...) One of the longest awaited Demos of ‘96 (...)” - Post Script fanzine #2 - “Withering plays a well elaborated Thrash Metal (...) In live, it must work.” - A Capital newspaper - “With just two years of activity, the band already reveals a good capacity, which makes us predict a Heavy future.” - Blitz newspaper - “Three songs of pure Thrash. A Demo, without doubt, spectacular and with great production (...)” - Post Script fanzine #2 - “Well executed Thrash/Power metal.” - Aphrodite fanzine #1 - “All of the three songs are based around simple and straightforward structures with catchy riffs, that’s probably where Withering’s impact relies, in their simplicity. (…) A perfectly adequate first Demo (…)” - Apocalyptic Vision newsletter # 4 - “In three songs, this young and promising band demonstrates a tremendous maturity and a very powerful sound. (...) A draught of fresh air in the Portuguese Thrash scene.” - Vox Occultis newsletter #3 - “Every Thrash Metal fan, and not only, should not miss this release.” - Vox Occultis newsletter #7 - “(...) Power Thrash Metal full of energy (...)” - Icon fanzine #4 - “(...) Interesting Thrash Metal that comes with slight passages of melody, which gives a different sonority to the usual Thrash.” - Thrash Publishing newsletter #4 - REMAINS OF THE PAST PROMO-TRACK '98: “�Remains of the Past� shows a more mature band, with music more based on Thrash than on Death, but also with quite influences on this last style. The voice is also better in my opinion, and the structures of the songs reveal more experience. The musicians also show that, both in play and writing are prepared to a record deal. And I think this Promo-Track should do the trick for them” - Odiosious Larvae fanzine #6 - “It is worth knowing how Withering sounds, very strong and consistent (...)” - Dama de Ferros newsletter #3 - “(...) Efficiently combine the melody and speed of Heavy and Thrash with the power of Death Metal.” - Damas de Ferro newsletter #5 - “Imagine the late and groovy period of Slayer (the riffing) mixed with early Death Angel (especially the vocals) along with a few hints of Exodus and you’ll get closed to figure out Withering’s refined in the 80’s sound. Though we aren’t speaking of Retro-Thrash here, but about an old-style approach for the band’s groovy and powerful Thrash Metal. If they can write more of these, than I believe we’ve got here a very precious gem ready to be revealed” - Apocalyptic Vision newsletter #7 - “(…) The strength of its Thrash Metal is still present but now more revealed by the vocal revelation of Ricardo Rocha (...) an example for many other vocalists that don’t evolve (…).” - Riff magazine # 0 - UNDER THE GROUND PROMO-CD '01: “ �No Justice... No Peace...� is the opening track of this demo and, at the same time, turns out to be the only song completely new in this release. This song prooves that Pitch Black stay faithfull to the Thrash Metal that carachterized Withering’s work, adding more power and coasion to the style that these young musicias had been developing since they joined for the first time. �Under the Ground� leaves us in expectation regarding the debut cd that the band plans to release during the next release.” - Loud! Magazine #19 - LIVE SHOWS: “Their music mixes a bit of Heavy with Thrash, in the most melodic way of both styles, and it was the one that, with violent riffs coming out of the guitars and the drums, more reaction raised from the audience (...)” - O P�blico newspaper - “(…) Withering take care of exemplifying once again how the Portuguese metal is passing through a very, and more than necessary, process of modernization (...) “ - Blitz newspaper - “Despite the technical problems, the band had a good performance, showing everyone a great dose of persistence and professionalism” - Stage Diving newspapper - “Music was present at its best with good performances of Fluffy Puppy, Withering, (...)” - Raio X newspaper - “Withering played several songs during thirty minutes, highlighting the drummer that made the drums look like a toy in his hands. Withering proved to be one of the best bands in this afternoon, which made this one not to be in vain.” - 100 Eskr�pulos fanzine # 6 - “Also to be mentioned is �Another Reality�, which is, in my opinion, one of the best band’s songs (...) Not even me could resist to jump to the mosh pit.” - Post Script fanzine #2 - “The audience didn’t stop for a second, during Withering’s performance (…)” - 100 Eskr�pulos fanzine #6 - “I highlight �Another Reality�, which is simply aggressive Thrash with slight touches of melody. Other excellent song is �Wrong Advice�, which is, perhaps, their fastest song that made the audience agitate, as well the vocalist that every time he could he would jump into the mosh pit. This is one of the most promising Thrash Metal bands nowadays and it’s one that Post Script predicts a great future.” - Post Script fanzine #1 - OTHERS: “An excellent vocalist accompanied by excellent musicians show that this band has a great potential (...)” - Post Script fanzine #1 - “Withering are going in the right direction and in what concerns the music, they are an excellent band." - 100 Eskr�pulos fanzine # 5 - “(...) One of the unsigned bands that more quality possesses.” - Stage Diving newspaper - “(...) One of the most promising bands in our country.” - Legi�o Met�lica fanzine #1 - “Pay them attention. They came to explode.” - 100 Eskr�pulos fanzine #7- “Portuguese Newcomer: Withering (Porto) (…) Best Portuguese Demo-tape: “Remains of the Past” - Stage Diving newspaper - “Considered by many of the press as one of the best Portuguese unsigned bands, (...)” - Riff magazine # 8 -

Location Porto, Porto - Portugal

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