Asphyx

For the film, see The Asphyx.

Asphyx
Asphyx performing in London, 2007
Background information
Origin	Oldenzaal, Overijssel, Netherlands
Genres	Death metal death-doom
Years active	1987–1994 1995–1996 1997–2000 2007–present
Labels	Century Media
Spinoffs	Soulburn Hail of Bullets Grand Supreme Blood Court
Members	Martin van Drunen Paul Baayens Alwin Zuur Stefan Hüskens
Past members	Bob Bagchus Tony Brookhuis Eric Daniels Joost Chuck Colli Theo Loomans Ron van Pol Sander van Hoof Heiko Hanke Ronny van der Wey Wannes Gubbels
Website	asphyx.nl

Asphyx is a Dutch death metal band formed in Oldenzaal, Overijssel in 1987 by Bob Bagchus and Tony Brookhuis. Since 2014, no original members are still in the band. Vocalist Martin van Drunen is the only current and long-term member that appeared on their debut album.

History

The band was formed in 1987 by Bob Bagchus and Tony Brookhuis. Joost was picked up for vocals and bass, but was replaced by Chuck Colli after the release of the first demo Carnage Remains. This line-up released the Enter the Domain demo after, which Eric Daniels was found as a second guitarist. In March 1989, Colli was replaced by Theo Loomans and the band recorded the Crush the Cenotaph demo. Brookhuis then left the band and the remaining three recorded Embrace the Death, an album which was never released because of label problems.

After leaving Pestilence in the early 1990s, Martin van Drunen joined Asphyx and the band signed to Century Media Records. After the release of their first album, The Rack, they went on a European tour with Entombed, followed by a tour with Bolt Thrower and Benediction in 1992. Shortly after the recording of the second album, Last One on Earth, van Drunen left the band, to be replaced by Ron van der Pol. Eventually Bagchus left the band as well and was replaced by Sander van Hoof.

In 1994 the band released its third, self-titled album, disbanding shortly afterward. In 1995, Loomans and Bagchus reformed Asphyx and recorded God Cries. Around the same time, the album Embrace the Death (which was recorded in 1990) was released, and the band broke up again. In 1998, Loomans died unexpectedly after a train struck his car (with circumstances suggesting an act of suicide). Later, Soulburn was founded by Bagchus and Daniels, in collaboration with Pentacle singer and bassist Wannes Gubbels. The group recorded and released Feeding on Angels. In 1999, they renamed the project Asphyx and recorded the On the Wings of Inferno album with the same line up. However, Asphyx disbanded again in 2000.

In January 2007, the band re-united with van Drunen, Gubbels, Paul Baayens and Bagchus. They did not intend to record a new album, but focused only on live performances. However, in January 2008, they recorded a cover of a Celtic Frost song and a new song called "Death...The Brutal Way". In July 2008, they announced that new material was being prepared. Death...The Brutal Way was released in June 2009 by Century Media. It was released in North America by Ibex Moon Records on 18 August 2009, quickly becoming the distributor's best seller.

On 30 November 2011 Asphyx finished recording on their eighth studio album entitled Deathhammer which was set to be released on 27 February 2012 in Europe and 28 February 2012 in North America via Century Media Records.

In March 2014, founding member Bob Bagchus parted ways from the band and leaving the band with no original members. He was replaced by Stefan Hüskens as the new drummer.

On 14 October 2015, Asphyx made an announcement they are working on a new album at the end of November for the long-awaited Deathhammer follow up and begin their first tour at Latin America.

Members

Martin van Drunen in concert, 2007

Current members

• Martin van Drunen – vocals (1990–1992, 2007–present), bass (1990–1992)
• Paul Baayens – guitar (2007–present)
• Alwin Zuur – bass (2010–present)
• Stefan Hüskens – drums (2014–present)

Former members

• Tony Brookhuis – guitar (1987–1989)
• Bob Bagchus – drums (1987–1993, 1995–1996, 1997–2000, 2007–2014)
• Eric Daniels – guitar (1989–1995, 1996, 1997–2000)
• Joost – vocals, bass (1987–1988)
• Chuck Colli – vocals, bass (1988–1989)
• Theo Loomans – vocals, bass, guitar (1989–1990, 1995–1996; died 1998)
• Ron van Pol – vocals, bass (1992–1994)
• Sander van Hoof – drums (1993–1994)
• Heiko Hanke – keyboards (1994)
• Ronny van der Wey – guitar (1988–1989, 1995)
• Wannes Gubbels – bass, vocals (1997–2000, 2007–2010)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• The Rack (1991)
• Last One on Earth (1992)
• Asphyx (1994)
• God Cries (1996)
• Embrace the Death (1996; recorded in 1990)
• On the Wings of Inferno (2000)
• Death...The Brutal Way (2009)
• Deathhammer (2012)
• Incoming Death (2016)
• Necroceros (2021)

Live albums

• Live Death Doom (2010 double live album and DVD)

Extended plays (EPs)

• Crush the Cenotaph (1992)
• Servants of Death (2016)

Singles

• Mutilating Process (1989)
• Death the Brutal Way (2008)
• Reign of the Brute (2012)
• Deathibel (2016)

Demos

• Carnage Remains (1988)
• Enter the Domain (1989)
• Crush the Cenotaph (1989)
• Promo '91 (1991)
• Promo '95 (1995)

External links

• Asphyx bio on angelfire