DEAD (USA/FL)

Formed in late 1984 by former members of the defunct local band Stonehenge, DEAD emerged at a time when the likes of Metallica and Slayer were still underground. But they embraced a much rawer vision, guided by the inspiration of such as Sodom and Hellhammer. DEAD plunged into uncharted territory with their first demo Musical Abortions. Recorded in Land O’Lakes, Florida on January 1, 1986, with the vocal tracks recorded two days later at the now-demolished Kirby Street Studios in Tampa, it shattered boundaries and eardrums. Despite the admittedly rough mix—the drums and vocals get lost beneath a sea of distortion throughout—it presented an absolutely terrifying musical anarchy and a no-limits approach to lyrics that has rarely been equaled before or since. Public appearances by the band at this time were not common, but circulation of this demo resulted in a flood of correspondence, which brought them to the attention of the emerging international underground metal scene. DEAD was an early contributor to the emerging Tampa metal scene. Two years later, a second demo would appear, assembled from recordings of assorted rehearsal sessions. It featured a cleaner sound than Musical Abortions, but still retained much of its power. Titled Raw Sewage, it featured material incorporating the band’s evolving tastes, including metallized cover versions of songs by such unlikely inspirations as the Sex Pistols and Butthole Surfers, the introduction of psychedelic elements, and writing contributions by guitarist Diarrhea Maggot. Their third and final demo, a self-titled effort, featured vocals by the band’s newest member, Belching Snotsucker. While this recording was easily the best-produced of the three, many fans felt that it lacked some of the punch of the two previous releases. Four tracks from this demo found their way onto the very last release by Germany’s Gore Records as an indie label-- which was later absorbed by Nuclear Blast Records-- a 7” EP also titled simply Dead, but sometimes known as Comet for My Vomit or Maggot Phlegm. Ultimately, personal conflicts put the band on hiatus shortly thereafter, and after a brief stint with a new guitarist the band dissolved and its members went their separate ways.



RELATED BANDS:
Brutality


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MUSICAL ABORTIONS 1986 DEMO

Xeroxed covers. Johnny (Diarrhea Maggot) had been publishing Rotting Flesh fanzine, at the time, so he handled the covers. Initial copies included lyrics. Regular tapes. Recorded on a 4-track recorder by Richard Mahon (Stonehenge) at a private residence in Land O'Lakes, Florida.

TRACK LISTING:
- Intro
- Azathoth
- Chopper
- Dead
- Mephestopholes

MUSICAL ABORTIONS 1986 DEMO TAPE:

 

RAW SEWAGE LIVE 1988 DEMO

Xeroxed covers. Regular tapes. Raw Sewage was a compilation of recordings made during months of intensive rehearsals, and the best versions cherry-picked from those recordings.

TRACK LISTING:
- Drink Vomit
- Maggot Phlegm
- Spit
- Bar-B-Q Pope
- Embalmed Alive
- Igor Takes the Wrong Brain
- The Saga of Alien Fish, Pt. 12
- No Feelings
- Metal Retards
- Brain-Sucking Zombies from Hyperspace

DEAD 1989 DEMO

Xeroxed covers. Regular tapes. Initial copies included lyrics.  Recorded on 3-track by Larry Sapp (Brutality) at Mega-Rabbit Studios in Tampa.

TRACK LISTING:
- Comet for My Vomit
- She Fucks for Money
- Spit (redux)
- Drink Vomit (redux)
- The Saga of Alien Fish, Pt. 12 (redux)
- Embalmed Alive (redux)
- Washing-Machine Hose
- Maggot Phlegm (redux)
- Of Corpse
- Azathoth (redux)

DEMO FLYERS

BAND PHOTOS