Rhombus (UK band)

Rhombus are a British gothic rock band based in West Yorkshire, England.[1]

Rhombus
OriginHuddersfield, England
GenresGothic rock, alternative rock
Years active2002–present
LabelsModels Own Records, Resurrection Records, afmusic
Websiterhombus.org.uk
MembersRob Walker - lead guitar
Alixandrea Corvyn - vocals
Edward Grassby - vocals, bass
Lee Talbot - drums
Past membersBen Grassby
Liz Grassby
Simon 'Scardy' Cardwell
Ian 'FTG' Grinn (Pringle)
Mya (Lloyd)
Ed Wolstenholme
Andy Holmes

Originally formed in Bristol, England, in 2002 by bass player Ed Grassby and featuring his brother and sister-in-law on guitars, the band started to gain momentum after Ed relocated to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire[2] and recruited new guitarists Robert Walker and Simon Cardwell.

The band played extensively around the UK for the next few years gaining a reputation for solid live performances; and intelligent and often witty lyrics.[3][4][5]

The band's profile rose as they acquired support gigs with bands such as The Damned[6] and NFD[7] as well as playing with a number of bands who went on to form the base of the contemporary UK Goth Rock scene.[8]

A string of self-released EPs (Rat City, 2003, Attention Seeker, 2004, The Closing Time EP, 2006) led to their music being added to club and alternative radio playlists around the world.[9]

In July 2007, the band put out their first full album. Remembrance Day was released on CD and digital download through Resurrection Records. The album was well received gaining solid reviews[10][11][12] which led to more club and radio play, bigger gigs and a support tour with NFD. The album featured a number of guest artists including female rock singer Mya and musician Ian Grinn, both of whom had originally met Rhombus at the band's first gig when Rhombus supported The Sisters of Murphy,[13][14] a Sisters of Mercy tribute act.

Shortly after the completion of the album, the band asked Mya to join full-time adding a well received extra dimension to the band's sound. At this time the band started to put more effort into their stage appearance and to take their business a little more seriously.[15]

In June 2009, Simon Cardwell quit the band. With a string of high-profile dates already booked, the band approached Ian Grinn to ask if he would step in as second guitarist so that the band could honour the bookings. After a positive reaction, Grinn was asked to join full-time. Grinn was better known as a punk, hard rock and folk singer-songwriter though he had been involved in gothic rock as a long serving member of The Sisters of Murphy.

With the new line-up settled and a new rockier sound, the band set about writing and recording their second album. The addition of Mya and Grinn as both experienced songwriters and recording musicians to the fold allowed Ed and Rob, hitherto the creative force behind the band to raise their game further and the result was the album Open the Sky which the band completed recording at their own studio in October 2009.[16]

However, unhappy with the initial mastered mix, the band took the decision to stop the pressing and drafted in Stephen Carey of This Burning Effigy, Adoration and The Eden House to remix.

The band played a main venue set at the Whitby Gothic Weekend on 1 November, where they issued a free CD-R named Monked Up the Sky to fans by way of apology for the delayed album release.[15]

The remixed and remastered Open the Sky was eventually released through Resurrection Records in the UK and digitally on af-Music worldwide in January 2010. The album received a raft of excellent reviews[17][18][19] and the band's profile raised another step.

In January 2011, Rhombus released The Anywhere EP,[20] a four track release composed of the song "Anywhere" and two new tracks "Timeless and Elegant" and "Nowhere". Carey was once again given mixing duties and produced an extended remix of "Anywhere" to complete the EP.

2011 saw the band pick up their first European dates, their debut being in Berlin in support of former Skeletal Family and Ghost Dance lead singer Anne-Marie Hurst.[21]

Discography

Albums
  • 2003: Rat City (Models Own Records)
  • 2007: Remembrance Day (Models Own Records / Resurrection Records)
  • 2010: Open the Sky (Resurrection Records / afmusic)
  • 2013: Here Be Dragons (Models Own Records)

EPs
  • 2002: The Rough Demo (Models Own Records)
  • 2003: The Soul The Spirit & The Wish (Models Own Records)
  • 2004: Attention Seeker (Models Own Records)
  • 2006: The Closing Time EP (Models Own Records)
  • 2011: Anywhere EP (Models Own Records / afmusic)
  • 2015: Purity & Perversion (Models Own Records)
  • 2016: Purity & Perversion (Deluxe Edition) (Models Own Records)

References
  1. "Goth rock". Rhombus. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  2. Lavigueur, Nick (22 June 2012). "Huddersfield gothic rockers Rhombus back in town for rare gig – Huddersfield Examiner". Examiner.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  3. Sandman Magazine Issue 09 – 5 December
  4. Kaleidoscope Magazine – Issue 20 – Winter 2005/6
  5. "The Dominion Magazine Archives – Terrorizer – Terrorizer". Truecultheavymetal.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  6. "The Damned: Live Performances – 2006". Whiterabbitskgs.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  7. "Goth rock". Rhombus. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  8. "Goth rock". Rhombus. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  9. "Rhombus (3) Discography at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  10. TWF magazine issue 9
  11. Hard-Wired Magazine 7 December
  12. "Mick Mercer". Mick Mercer. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  13. "The Sisters of Murphy". The Sisters of Murphy. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  14. "Index :: Heartland :: The Sisters of Mercy Forum". Myheartland.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  16. "Join The Revolution". Nightbreed Radio. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  17. "GOTHIC Magazine & GOTHIC lifestyle – magazines for underground culture". Gothic-magazine.de. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  18. "Mick Mercer". Mick Mercer. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  19. "Unscene Magazine". Animespresso.com. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  20. "[afm113] Rhombus – Anywhere". af-music.de. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  21. "The Official Anne-Marie Hurst Website: Archive News". Annemariehurst.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.