Enforsaken Biography/Epitaph.
Enforsaken officially broke up in the Summer of 2006.
Chicago’s Enforsaken were formed in early 1998. Influences ranged from Melodic Death/Black Metal, Traditional 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day Heavy Metal/Thrash, Progressive Rock, Classical and Jazz. However, the band’s primary sound did lean strongly towards the more extreme side of this musical spectrum. At the same time, the band would rarely focus on just one genre within each song. It is common to hear traces of melodic death metal, black metal, the classic NWOBHM style and 70’s Prog all within the same Enforsaken song. Trends come and go, and Enforsaken were never ones to apply cheap labels to their music just to fit in. Enforsaken were sometimes classified with the "metalcore" tag, but were never truly part of that scene. The band's influences went far deeper than your average "Slaughter Of The Soul" wannabes that oversaturated the early/mid 2000's heavy music scene. Critics reviews and word of mouth only get you somebody elses story. At the end of the day, the only way you will be able to form a true opinion of Enforsaken is to listen for yourself. We hope you enjoy the few tracks we have posted here.
Over their 8 year history, ENFORSAKEN shared the stage with: SHADOWS FALL, LAMB OF GOD, VADER, SATYRICON, MORBID ANGEL, DISMEMBER, ARCH ENEMY, KATAKLYSM, GOD FORBID, DARKEST HOUR, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, BURNT BY THE SUN, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE CROWN, DYING FETUS, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, ORIGIN, EXODUS, KRISIUN, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, ENSLAVED, NAGLFAR, THE BERZERKER, FLESHGRIND, THE CHASM, BODY COUNT w/ ICE T and many more. The band also played numerous fests including THE NEW ENGLAND METAL AND HARDCORE FESTIVAL, MINNESOTA MAYHEM and MILWAUKEE METALFEST.
Random ENFORSAKEN facts:
ENFORSAKEN have had their music featured on numerous episodes of MTV’S “Viva La Bam†TV show.
ENFORSAKEN'S first CD, "Embraced By Misery," was originally released on SHADOWS FALL guitarists Matt Bachand's small label "Lifeless Records."
ENFORSAKEN have also appeared on many compilation albums including the widely popular METAL FOR THE MASSES (A HOT TOPIC exclusive) and IN THE EYES OF DEATH (The European version of Metal For The Masses) cds.
James Murphy (Disincarnate, Death, Testament, Obituary guitarist) played a guitar solo on ENFORSAKEN'S "The Forever Endeavor" album. James also mastered the album at his home studio in Florida.
ENFORSAKEN'S largest fanbases are in The U.K and Germany.
The band has appeared in many print magazines such as METAL MANIACS, REVOLVER, PIT, TERRORIZER, UNRESTRAINED, SOD, DECIBEL and many more.
ENFORSAKEN'S final show was @ The Metro club in Chicago on August 19th, 2006.
Discography:
First release: 1999. 2 song demo simply titled "Promo 1999."
Second release: 2001. Embraced By Misery MCD/EP ( Released on Lifeforce Records in Europe and Lifeless Records in USA) The re-issue of this cd was released in 2005 by Cartel Media Records.
Third release: 2002. Demo 2002. Not initially released to the public. This demo surfaced 2 years later in the form of bonus tracks for the Japanese CD release of "The Forever Endeavor" album.
Fourth release: 2004. The Forever Endeavor. Full length CD. (Released on Century Media Records in Europe, Olympic Recordings in USA and Soundholic Records in Japan.)
Fifth and final release: 2006. Sinner’s Intuition. Full length cd. (Released on Crash Music Inc. worldwide.)
Enforsaken cover artwork:
Over the years, Enforsaken had the privilege of working with great artists when it came to their cd covers. Credits are as follows.
Sinner’s Intuition album art: TRAVIS SMITH (Opeth, Katatonia, Soilwork, Nevermore)
The Forever Endeavor album art: NIKLAS SUNDIN (Dark Tranquillity guitarist. Has also done art for Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity, Strapping Young Lad, Naglfar and more)
Embraced By Misery original MCD release art: CARLOS DEL OLMO HOLMBERG (Former Soilwork keyboardist. Has done art for many underground bands.
Embraced By Misery original re-release art: ENRICO LONGHIN. Guitarist for Italy’s Bleed In Vain.
Enforsaken were sponsored by:
CAPARISON GUITARS, GIBSON GUITARS and MADISON AMPLIFIERS.
