Re-Animator
Formed in Hull, England, in 1987, Re-Animator consisted of Kevin Ingleson (guitar/vocals), Mike Abel (guitar), John Wilson (bass) and Mark Mitchell (drums). Strongly influenced by the legacy of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and armed with the new thrash metal musical attitude this had helped to inspire, the band signed to the Music For Nations subsidiary label, Under One Flag. They released their debut mini-album, DENY REALITY, in 1989, a harsh barrage of guitars that stood them in good stead for their full album debut, CONDEMNED TO ETERNITY. This offered no great departure in musical style but was still regarded as a solid statement. The release of LAUGHING in 1991 saw a major change in direction for the band. Gone were the guitar set-pieces as the band incorporated funk elements in a manner approximating Red Hot Chili Peppers. Added to other stylistic experiments it resulted in an album which was neither one thing nor another. However, the new approach gelled better on 1993's agenda-setting THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW.