Earthen Grave

Earthen Grave was an American thrash/doom metal band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2008, featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine.

Earthen Grave
Rachel Barton Pine on electric violin
Background information
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenresThrash metal, doom metal
Years active2008–2014
Websiteearthengrave.com
Past membersMark Weiner
Rachel Barton Pine
Tony Spillman
Jason Muxlow
Ron Holzner
Scott Davidson
Chris Wozniak

History

Earthen Grave was founded late in 2008, as Jason Muxlow was working on a new album for The Living Fields, listening to a lot of Saint Vitus (an '80s doom metal band) and writing down various doom metal guitar riffs. Looking for who might be able to play this style of music with him, Muxlow reached out to drummer Scott Davidson, General Manager of Chicago's WPJX 'Rebel Radio' heavy metal radio station,[1] and "things just snowballed.”[2]

They then enlisted bassist Ron Holzner, formerly of Trouble,[3] to help with this new project. Muxlow says of the first jam as a trio, “The first rehearsal was tough, but after we sorted out some issues with downtuning, things really jelled.”[2]

The trio put out a classified ad on craigslist.org looking for a vocalist,[4] and Mark Weiner responded the very next day.[2]

Davidson, who had known violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine for many years through the Chicago metal scene, invited her to a rehearsal. Until this point in her career, Barton Pine had played only on a traditional acoustic violin, but participated in the band rehearsal using her new amplified six-string "Viper", an extended-range instrument related to the electric violin invented by Mark Wood.[4] The band invited Barton Pine to join them shortly thereafter.[5]

Tony Spillman was the final member to join Earthen Grave, having previously worked with such bands as Ministry, Prong, and Trouble.

In early June 2009, the band spent a weekend Farview Recording in St. Charles, IL and recorded their first demo, Dismal Times.[5]

On the evening of July 11, 2010, Earthen Grave performed at Chicago's Millennium Park as part of the Great Performers of Illinois celebration.[6][7]

In January 2011, the band was named the "2010 Best New Entertainer" at the Chicago Music Awards.[8]

On September 22, 2014 it was announced that Earthen Grave had disbanded.[9]

Media / Attention

After releasing their demo EP, the band received promising attention from even mainstream media, and performed live on NBC's "Today" program on September 25, 2009[10][11] following a profile segment focusing on Barton Pine.

The band also received a short profile on the Chicago Reader's The List ("Critics' Choices and other notable concerts") by local music critic Monica Kendrick, specifically noting the unique sound brought to the group by Barton Pine's violin.[12]

The band was also broadcast live December 16, 2009, on WGN-TV's "Midday News" program.[13][14]

Besides the level of media coverage unusual for the genre, the young Earthen Grave had, as of January 2010, already opened for some big names of metal, such as Megadeth, Pentagram and Anvil.

Band members

Last known lineup

  • Mark Weiner – vocals (2008–2014)
  • Tony Spillman – guitar (2008–2014)
  • Jason Muxlow – guitar (2008–2014)
  • Ron Holzner – bass guitar (2008–2014)
  • Rachel Barton Pine – electric violin (2008–2014)
  • Chris Wozniak – drums (2012–2014)

Earlier members

  • Scott Davidson – drums (2008–2012)

Discography
  • Dismal Times (Demo, 2009)[15]
  • Earthen Grave (Claude and Elmo Music: CECD001, 2012)[16][17] (re-released in 2013 with additional tracks via Ripple Music)[18]

References
  1. "Rebel Radio - About Us". rebelradio.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  2. "Earthen Grave Bio". rachelbartonpine.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  3. "The Top Five Most Metal Pieces of Classical Music by Violinist Rachel Barton Pine of Earthen Grave". decibelmagazine.com. 2009-12-09. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  4. "WCRX's The Metal Show - Earthen Grave Interview". WCRX FM. 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  5. "Earthen Grave Press Kit". earthengrave.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-01-20. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  6. "World Renowned Chicago Violin Virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine Headlines Free Concert in Millennium Park During Great Performers of Illinois". Explore Chicago web site. Archived from the original on 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  7. Kalsnes, Lynette (2010-07-08). "Famous Classical Violinist's Side Project Full of 'Doom'". WBEZ91.5 City Room. Archived from the original on 2010-07-10. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  8. "EARTHEN GRAVE Wins '2010 Best New Entertainer' At CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS - Jan. 22, 2011". Blabbermouth.Net. 2011-01-22. Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  9. "EARTHEN GRAVE Call It A Day". Metal Kaoz. September 22, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  10. "Unsigned Metal Spotlighted On Today Show". metalinsider.net. 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  11. "EARTHEN GRAVE performs on NBC's "Today" show". roadrunnerrecords.com. 2009-09-25. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  12. "The List: November 12–18, 2009". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  13. "EARTHEN GRAVE performs on WGN's Midday News". wgntv.com. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  14. "Earthen Grave – a Chicago Metal Band With A Twist". thecontrapuntist.com. 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  15. "Liner Notes for Dismal Times". RBP discography. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  16. Earthen Grave To Release New Self-Titled Album
  17. "Earthen Grave's New CD and 4/22 Chicago Show ..." Doommantia.Com. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  18. "Earthen Grave Signs With Ripple Music, Re-Releasing Self-Titled Album". Metalunderground.com. 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
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