Immolation is an American death metal band from Yonkers, New York, formed after the dissolution of Rigor Mortis (NY), which was founded in 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz, Dave Wilkinson, and Robert Vigna. After Sakowicz left in 1988, he was replaced by Ross Dolan, and the band changed its name to Immolation. The band released two demos in 1988 and 1989, gaining recognition in the underground death metal scene. Immolation signed with Roadrunner Records and released their debut album, "Dawn of Possession," in 1991.
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Immolation is an American death metal band from Yonkers, New York, formed after the dissolution of Rigor Mortis (NY), which was founded in 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz, Dave Wilkinson, and Robert Vigna. After Sakowicz left in 1988, he was replaced by Ross Dolan, and the band changed its name to Immolation. The band released two demos in 1988 and 1989, gaining recognition in the underground death metal scene. Immolation signed with Roadrunner Records and released their debut album, "Dawn of Possession," in 1991. After leaving Roadrunner, they released the compilation "Stepping on Angels," and in 1995 signed with Metal Blade Records, releasing "Here in After," "Failures for Gods," and "Close to a World Below." Drummer changes occurred with Alex Hernandez replacing Craig Smilowski, and guitarist changes included Bill Taylor replacing Thomas Wilkinson. Later albums, "Unholy Cult," "Harnessing Ruin," and "Shadows in the Light," were released through Listenable Records and Century Media.
Immolation has toured internationally, including headlining European tours with Deranged, Deströyer 666, Decapitated, and Soul Demise, and North American tours alongside bands such as Nile, Rotting Christ, Belphegor, and Averse Sefira. They released "Majesty and Decay" in 2010 through Nuclear Blast, followed by the "Providence" EP in 2011. "Kingdom of Conspiracy" was released in 2013, with tours alongside Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death. Bill Taylor left the band in 2016 and was replaced by Alex Bouks. Immolation’s tenth album, "Atonement," was released in 2017, followed by tours supporting Mayhem and later North American tours with Blood Incantation. Their eleventh album, "Acts of God," was released in 2022, with subsequent tours supporting Obituary and appearances at festivals including Milwaukee Metal Fest in 2023.
Musically, Immolation is known for dissonant, complex guitar riffs often performed in dual-guitar arrangements, accompanied by intricate rhythm and drum patterns. Their guitar work frequently uses tremolo picking, rapid power chord changes, and pinched harmonics, with drumming that closely follows guitar structures. Robert Vigna and Ross Dolan are the only constant members, with Vigna recognized for his technical guitar work and solos.
Lyrically, Immolation’s early works, from "Dawn of Possession" to "Unholy Cult," focused on anti-religious themes, particularly anti-Christianity. Starting with "Harnessing Ruin," the band expanded their lyrical themes to include political and social issues. "Acts of God" revisited anti-religious themes, exploring institutional and societal aspects of religion rather than targeting individual belief.
Immolation is considered a leading band in the New York death metal scene alongside Incantation, Mortician, and Suffocation, and is recognized for its influence on the genre. Their debut album, "Dawn of Possession," is frequently cited as a highly influential work that helped shape the style of subsequent death metal bands such as Cryptopsy and Suffocation.
Studio albums
Dawn of Possession (1991)
Here in After (1996)
Failures for Gods (1999)
Close to a World Below (2000)
Unholy Cult (2002)
Harnessing Ruin (2005)
Shadows in the Light (2007)
Majesty and Decay (2010)
Kingdom of Conspiracy (2013)
Atonement (2017)
Acts of God (2022)
Descent (2026)
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…shrink me down again