Broken Hope

Broken Hope is an American death metal band from Chicago, Illinois.

Broken Hope
OriginChicago, Illinois, United States
GenresDeath metal
Years active1988–2002, 2012–present
LabelsMetal Blade, Century Media
Websitewww.brokenhope.com
MembersJeremy Wagner
Damian Leski
Mike Miczek
Matt Szlachta
Diego Soria
Past membersJoe Ptacek
Brian Griffin
Ryan Stanek
Shaun Glass
Scott Creekmore
Dave Duff
Ed Hughes
Sean Baxter
Larry DeMumbrum
Jeff Bumgardner
Duane Timlin
Chuck Wepfer

History

Broken Hope was founded in 1988. They were known as an accomplished mid-paced style death metal band with low-pitched growling vocals. As a band, they were active for roughly twelve years, recording five albums between 1991 and 1999.

The early lineup of Broken Hope was Joe Ptacek (vocals), Jeremy Wagner (rhythm guitar), Brian Griffin (lead guitar), and Ryan Stanek (drums). They scored a deal with the then-fledgling Grindcore/RedLight Label and recorded their debut album, Swamped in Gore.[1] AllMusic reviewer John Book compared Swamped in Gore to Death's 1987 debut album Scream Bloody Gore.[2]

Following the release of Swamped in Gore, Metal Blade Records signed the band, who released their second album, The Bowels of Repugnance, in 1993.[1] The band's third album, 1995's Repulsive Conception, reached CMJ New Music Monthly's Metal Top 25 chart,[3] as did the follow-up, 1997's Loathing,[4] an album which explored topics such as political domination, necrophilia, and safe sex.[5]

The band moved to newly formed indie Martyr Records for their fifth album, Grotesque Blessings, released in 1999.[1] Rumors of the band's demise circulated at this time, this also marks the last album Joe Ptacek was on[6] and by April 2002, Broken Hope disbanded.[7]

In a 2007 interview, Wagner explained that several factors, including band dysfunction and a lack of support in Europe from Metal Blade, contributed to the split.[8] Wagner added that the band members had met "face to face" for the first time in five years and discussed a possible reunion.[8]

On January 20, 2010, vocalist Joe Ptacek committed suicide.[9][10] He was 37 years old.

The band reunited in 2012 with returning members Shaun Glass and Jeremy Wagner, and new members Mike Miczek and Damian Leski, playing a North American tour with Obituary, Decrepit Birth, Jungle Rot, and Encrust.

Omen of Disease was released September 27, 2013 via Century Media Records.

Former band drummer, Ryan Stanek, died in Wisconsin on March 1, 2015, aged 42.[11]

Broken Hope's newest album titled "Mutilated and Assimilated" was released on June 23, 2017.

Band members

Current members
  • Jeremy Wagner – rhythm guitar (1991–2002, 2012–present), lead guitar (1988–1990)
  • Damian Leski – vocals (2012–present)
  • Mike Miczek – drums (2012–present)
  • Matt Szlachta – lead guitar (2014–present)
  • Diego Soria – bass (2014–present)

Former members
  • Joe Ptacek – vocals (1988–2002; died 2010)
  • Ryan Stanek – drums (1988–1997; died 2015)[11]
  • Ed Hughes – bass (1988–1994)
  • Dave Duff – rhythm guitar (1988–1990)
  • Brian Griffin – lead guitar (1991–2002)
  • Shaun Glass – bass (1995–1998, 2012–2014)
  • Duane Timlin – drums (1997–1999)
  • Brian Hobbie – bass (1999–2002)
  • Sean Baxter – drums (1999–2002)
  • Ryan Schimmenti – bass (1999)
  • Mike Zwicke – bass (1999)
  • Larry DeMumbrum – drums (1999)
  • Chuck Wepfer – lead guitar (2012–2014)

Timeline

Discography

Albums
  • Swamped in Gore (1991)
  • The Bowels of Repugnance (1993)
  • Repulsive Conception (1995)
  • Loathing (1997)
  • Grotesque Blessings (1999)
  • Omen of Disease (2013)
  • Mutilated and Assimilated (2017)

EPs
  • Hobo Stew (1993)

Other releases
  • Live Disease (2015)

Demos
  • Broken Hope (1990)
  • Demo 2 (1990)
  • Demo '93 (1993)

References
  1. Ankeny, Jason. "Broken Hope - Biography". Allmusic (Macrovision Corporation). Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  2. Book, John. "Swamped in Gore - Overview". Allmusic (Macrovision Corporation). Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  3. "Metal Top 25". CMJ New Music Monthly. College Media, Inc. (24): 46. August 1995. ISSN 1074-6978. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  4. "Metal Top 25". CMJ New Music Monthly. College Media, Inc. (45): 48. May 1997. ISSN 1074-6978. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  5. Iwasald, Scott (1997-04-02). "Broken Hope Grinds onto Scene; Grip Inc. Returns". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. p. C5. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  6. Stewart-Panko, Kevin (February 2000). "Aggressive Tendencies". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  7. "Broken Hope's Jeremy Wagner: Where It All Went Wrong". Blabbermouth.net. 2002-04-02. Archived from the original on 2004-01-14. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  8. "Broken Hope to Reunite?". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-07-13. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  9. Pratt, Greg (2010-01-22). "Broken Hope Vocalist Joe Ptacek Dead at 37". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  10. "Former Broken Hope Vocalist Commits Suicide - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  11. Doc Rock. "January to June 2015". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
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