Originally formed back in February 1989 around the line-up of Paul Adams (bass), Peter Rew (guitars), Darren Brookes (guitars) and Mark "Barney" Greenway, who later became a vocalist with Napalm Death, Birmingham based BENEDICTION draw the interest of NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS with their first demo The Dreams You Dread, which was released the same year.

Their first album, Subconscious Terror saw its' release in 1990, followed by the departure of Barney, joining Napalm Death. The crashing debut was received well and a new vocalist, Dave Ingram was found soon. The band worked hard to escape the ghost of Greenway and during the ensuring extensive touring schedule

1991 saw the band back out with Bolt Thrower and Nocturnus and here Ingram really shows his metal, so much that the ghost of Greenway was condemned to death at a stroke. The band completed work on their second album, The Grand Leveller and the difference in the writing was a revelation, attracting international acclaim throughout the Death Metal Market. Having already completed one European tour with Massacra during the year between the recording and the mixing of the album, the band now took to the road again with Dismember. After that tour Paul Adams departed, fed up with the road, work, the band, it was yet another kick in the teeth for this UK band. Seemingly undeterred though, the band was back in studio in December 1991 with Darren playing bass on a new EP, Dark Is The Season, which included a punishing cover of the old Anvil stalwart Forged In Fire, and January 1992 saw the band back in Europe again with Asphyx and Bolt Thrower. Dark Is The Season was yet another big success that proved that perseverance is still a virtue to be admired in today's cut and thrust business.

Later that year they found their new bassist, Frank Healy, at that time with Cerebral Fix. Frank joined BENDICTION as a full time member just as they whisked off to Israel and a heaving Tel Aviv was his initiation.

In 1993 BENEDICTION unleashed their massive Transcend The Rubicon upon mankind. The album's release was followed by the extensive World Violation tour with Cemetery and Atheist throughout Europe, USA, Canada and again Israel. After that tour, Ian Treacy left the band due to mounting personal differences. After The Grotesque - Ashen Epitaph EP, which featured two brand new songs and three crushing live tracks Neil Hutton, an 18-year-old drumming wonder, replaced him on a permanent basis. He had his initiation on the 11 dates of the NUCLEAR BLAST NEW YEARS FESTIVALS, which

took place in January 1995 and saw BENEDICTION'S awesome live performances on German, Dutch, Austrian, Swiss and Czech stages. Meanwhile the band has already put the finishing touches to their fourth full length album The Dreams You Dread. Yet another massive impact on the worldwide metal scene followed by even more skull crushing live shows.

BENEDICTION formed a close relationship with Death, touring extensively with them at Chuck Shuldiners request, the sadly missed Death legend being just one of many musicians who have infinite respect for BENEDICTIONS 'no-shit' approach and dedication to their genre.

Their next album 'Grind Bastard' was launched with yet another raging tour seeing the band break new territories in the former Eastern Block countries.

They were taken on board by TCI agency in New York who now books all of their live work and touring.

This led to yet more mayhemic touring, including another European tour with Death, which was sadly to be Chuck's last.

This tour coincided with the departure of vocalist Dave Ingram (eventually to go on to join fellow grinding veterans Bolt Thrower) and the introduction of new vocalist Dave Hunt. What could have been a difficult period for the band was settled in Benediction's usual 'not a problem' style and within a couple of shows, the band were getting to know one another and building back up to full Benediciton power. Having settled in with Dave on the road with Death, the band went on to play a heap of shows including touring with Black Metal masters Immortal, and even being on the road in Paris on the fateful day of 9/11/01!

Their most recent album was as before released through Nuclear Blast in October 2001. Entitled 'Organised Chaos', it was again produced by Andy Sneap, and saw a welcome return to recording for them and of course, was launched with more skull crushing live appearances throughout Europe. The highlights must include 2002's devastating and often sold out tour with Bolt Thrower and an appearance

in front of literally thousands of chanting metallers at the Gods of Metal festival in Milan, Italy - sharing a bill with the likes of Motorhead, W.A.S.P., Megadeth and Judas Priest. With more underground touring plans and writing beginning for another studio recording Benediction are, after all these years, still pissed off, ready to grind, and thirsty! Check the tours page for currently planned shows, and look out for details of a new CD coming soon!!!

MEMBERS

Current members :

Name : Dave Hunt

Role in band : shouting

Place of birth : Solihull,west midlands,ENGLAND

Where do you live now : Birmingham,ENGLAND.

Family : Yes thanks.

When and how did you become a member of Benediction : in 1998 I was lying in bed with a hangover one Sunday morning.i got a phone call from neil(hutton,then-benediction drummer) asking if I wanted to go on tour for a month around Europe with benediction supporting death.apparently the old dave had left quite suddenly and they needed a stand in singer for the tour.i didn’t have to think about my answer for very long ! I was terrible to begin with haha! But we got settled in before long and I’ve hung around ever since.

Previous/other bands : Current ones-mistress,anaal nathrakh. Past ones-frog

What football team do you support : ENGLAND.aside from that I don’t do football

Favorite bands : ---------

3 favorite films : “old boy”,the LOTR trilogy,”the shawshank redemption”

3 favorite albums : god,that’s just an impossible question to answer,there’s too bloody many !

Favorite book : ”and the ass saw the angel” by nick cave.

First record bought : hahahaha.i think it was BAD by Michael Jackson.god,I was only about 7.first metal album-seventh son by iron maiden.played it solid for about a week whilst doing my maths homework !

Last record bought : whitehouse-“asceticists”.bit of a change from the first ones I bought !.

Favorite food : chicken vindaloo (i.e. curry)

Best show played : paris,france in 1998 on the tour with death.security were on the stage having to hold the crowd back ! that,and the gods of metal in Milan.it’s a fucking honour to have played with those bands,especially motorhead.

Favorite drink : guinness

Song you wish you had written : loads.first one that springs to mind is “children of the damned”.imagine being a member of the band in the studio listening back to that,knowing that you’d just made it !

First concert you ever went to : shit,er,ELO when I was about 10 !. first “real” one I can remember was the monsters of rock in 1992,maiden,slayer,wasp etc.fucking brilliant for a 14 year old.

Last concert you ever went to : It was two uk bands I went to see.palehorse (really unpleasant grunge stuff) and red stars parade(a bit like neurosis).before that it was the supersonic festival here in birmingham.so technically it’d be high on fire.

Your heroes/influences : Nietzsche,Wittgenstein,Socrates,I’ve just ordered a big print of “the death of Socrates” by david to hang over my bed.

Favorite Benediction album : Transcend the rubicon.it was the first one I heard before I went to see the band play in 1993.seems so weird thinking back that I ended up in the band !.it was the same for neil(our ex drummer) as he was playing with the support band warlord at the time,and he ended up joining benediction too !.but transcend would have to be tied wit “killing music” even though we haven’t recorded it yet,its going to be fucking ace !

3 favorite benediction songs : Unfound mortality,nervebomb,covering “pull the plug” for chuck.

Your views on the other members of the band :

Daz: the big brother I never had.
Peter: the metal machine.vodka for breakfast and a demon on stage.i don’t know how he does it !
Frank: you don’t need panda paint to be evil.
Nick: he’s been around,so maybe you could forgive him for being jaded,but he’s not.he’s totally enthusiastic about everything.which is fantastic to see.


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Name : Darren Brookes

Role in band : Guitarist

Place of birth : West Bromwich

Where do you live now : Birmingham

Family : 2 sisters, one daughter - Natasha, one son - Jesse

When and how did you become a member of Benediction : Original member 1988

Previous/other bands : None

What football team do you support : Liverpool

Favorite bands : -

3 favorite films : Not really a film watcher - no patience

3 favorite albums : Too many albums to compare - playing cardiacs "Whole world window" at the moment

Favorite book : Mostly read football/sport biographies

First record bought : Heaven and hell - Black Sabbath from Great bridge market

Last record bought : -

Favorite food : Egg and chips

Best show played : Many. Wacken Full Force 2005, Israel 1992, Mexico 1993, NYC 1994, and on and on and on !

Favorite drink : Jack Daniels and Guinness

Song you wish you had written : … I've written it already !

First concert you ever went to : Gillan 1982

Last concert you ever went to : Prodigy 2006

Your heroes/influences : Most of the british metal scene in the 80' influenced me

Favorite Benediction album : No particular favorite album, they were all my favorite when they were being written

3 favorite Benediction songs : Again difficult as it changes often… maybe Grind bastard, Suicide rebellion, fœtus noose

Your views on the other members of the band :
Dave: massive stage presence, beer monster in the making
Peter: metal God, quiet, wine monster
Frank: fuckin' looney tunes, alcohol of any description monster
Nick: a true honourary benny brother, and that's a rare species ! The final jigsaw piece


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Name : Nicholas Barker

Role in band : Drummer/trouble maker/prick

Place of birth : Earth (i think)

Where do you live now : Daz or Franks when i am in Birmingham but mainly in Manchester

Family : 2 beautiful daughters, Izabella (aged 2) and Sophie (aged 15)

When and how did you become a member of Benediction : Scruffy murphy's metal pub (Birmingham), New years eve 2004-2005… how ???? By drinking Daz and Frank under the table

Previous/other bands : Cradle of Filth, Kajagoogoo, Dimmu Borgir, Dollar, Old mans child, Showaddywaddy, Lock up, Culture Club and Monolith

What football team do you support : Manchester United (yes Daz, ManUtd you scouze cunt !!!)

Favorite bands : Rush, AC/DC (Bon Scott only !!), Iron Maiden (without Janick Gers of course !), Van Halen (not Van Hagar), Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Slayer, Dark Angel, Possessed, Metallica (Cliff Burton only), Exodus, Testament, Forbidden, Morbid Angel, Terrorizer, Goatwhore, Nile, Hate Eternal, Dim Mak, Mastodon, Angel Corpse (RIP), Bloodthorne, Mayem, King Crimson, Immortal, Emperor, Hatebreed, Sick of it all, Crumbsuckers, Krisiun, The Accused, The Exploited, Agnostic Front, DRI (up until Crossover), SOD, Dark Throne, Carcass, Discharge, Pantera, GBH, Broken bones (old stuff), Death (RIP Chuck), Atheist, The Cardigans, Pestilence, Jimmy Hendrix, At the Gates, NWA, Easy e, Depeche Mode, Cypress Hill, Slipknot, 70's New York disco music, Ice-T, Nevermore, Bathory, King Diamond/Mercyful fate, Diabolic (first 3 albums), Revenge, Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Sepultura (80's), Hateplow, Alice in Chains, Ministry, Soundgarder, blablablab... !!!

3 favorite films : Casino, Requiem for a dream, The business

3 favorite albums : Possessed - 7 churches, Morbid Angel - Covenant, AC/DC - Highway to hell

Favorite book : Fly fishing by Jr Hartley

First record bought : Iron Maiden - Number of the beast

Last record bought : Sick of if all - Death to tyrants

Favorite food : Traditionnal English Sunday roast dinner, pukka pies, mexican, indian, toad in the hole and mash, pilly chees steak sandwich, beans on toast, space cake

Best show played : Cradle of Filth, Australia December 1997, Kajagoogoo, Top of the Pops, TV appareance 1982, Dimmu Borgir, Tilburg, 2001

Favorite drink : piss…, or crown royal Canadian whiskey and coke (lots of ice and a straw), pomegranite juice, logan berry juice, stella artois, jupiler, super bock, council pop !!!

Song you wish you had written : Stairway to heaven, Born to be wild, Ace of spades or Back in black (fucking public$tingastic !!)

First concert you ever went to : Saxon, Crusader Tour, Sheffield City Hall, 1984

Last concert you ever went to : Carnivore, Hamburg Markthalle, 2006

Your heroes/influences : Neil Peart (Rush), Bon Scott (RIP), Gene Hoglan (double ride shaulin master), Robert de Niro, Gordon Ramsey, Bill Hicks (RIP), Andrew dice Clay

Favorite Benediction album : Grind bastard and the new one that will crush everyone's ball upon the 1st listen

3 favorite Benediction songs : The grotesque (fuck'off Daz !!), The dreams you dread, Magnificat

Your views on the other members of the band :
Peter:
Daz: ............ They're all wankers !!!
Frank:
Dave:


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Name : Peter Rew

Role in band : Guitarist

Place of birth : Birmingham

Where do you live now : Birmingham

Family : Wife and two kids

When and how did you become a member of Benediction : founder member, i thought it was a good idea at that time !

Previous/other bands : No signed bands

What football team do you support : West Bromwich Albion

Favorite bands : The Stranglers, GBH, Husker du, The Jam, Trouble, Voivoid, The Melvins, The Residents, Saxon, Accept, Death, Autopsy, Celtic Frost, Queens of the Stone Age

3 favorite films : Romper stomper, How to get ahead in advertising, Sponge Bob Squarepants

3 favorite albums : -

Favorite book : Jonathon Carrol, Stephen King, James Herbert

First record bought : Motorhead - No sleep 'till Hammersmith

Last record bought : Don't remember

Favorite food : Shellfish

Best show played : Wetlands, The Bronx, New York, 1994

Favorite drink : Chablis and Pinot Noir

Song you wish you had written : -

First concert you ever went to : AC/DC - For those about to rock Tour

Last concert you ever went to : -

Your heroes/influences : -

Favorite Benediction album : -

3 favorite benediction songs : -

Your views on the other members of the band : -

Peter is very secretive !!!!


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Name : Frank Healy

Role in band : Bass

Place of birth : Handsworth, Birmingham

Where do you live now : Handsworth wood, Birmingham

Family : Partner Jeanette, Kids James, Luke, Holly

When and how did you become a member of Benediction : Whilst helping them out with two shows in Israel in 1992. They asked (again and again !!). I accepted !!!!

Previous/other bands : Napalm Death, Sacrilege (UK), Cerebral Fix, Anaal Nathrakh

What football team do you support : Aston Villa

Favorite bands : Thin Lizzy, Slayer, Depeche Mode, Foo Fighters, Death, Massacre, Rush, Early Metallica, Celtic Frost, oh fuck off, hundred of bands for as many reasons

3 favorite films : Secretary (James Spader one), Dark City, Hellraiser

3 favorite albums : Foo Fighters - The colour and the shape, Slayer - Hell awaits, Thin Lizzy - Black Rose

Favorite book : Perfume by Patrick Suskind

First record bought : Yes - Fragile

Last record bought : Best of - The Exploited

Favorite food : Indian, thai, greek

Best show played : Wetlands, NYC, 1994

Favorite drink : Jack Daniels, Lager

Song you wish you had written : Everlong - Foo Fighters

First concert you ever went to : Deep Purple, 1971-72, with Gillian singing (cannot remember exactly, was taken by my mates brother who was looking after us so he took us with him rather than miss the show)

Last concert you ever went to : Mistress at the custard factory, Birmingham

Your heroes/influences : Phil Lynott, Cliff Burton, Bon Scott, Geddy Lee, Dave Grohl, Shane Embury

Favorite benediction album : Cannot deicide between Grind Bastard and Transcend the rubicon

3 favorite benediction songs : Grind Bastard, Dark is the season, Nightfear

Your views on the other members of the band. :

Dave: great frontman, likes his Guinness and fucking hot curries !!!
Daz: my partner in crime. If anything goes on with Benediction, then it's usually me or him that instigate it, a true friend that will last longer after the band
Peter: master riff writer, wine drinking piss head that likes to wet himself at the most public of occasions
Nick: the new boy, we have been friends for years, fits in with us perfectly. Nick, along with me and Daz, are always up to some skulduggery. A proper metal brother



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