Blotted Science
Encyclopedia
Blotted Science is an instrumental technical death metal
supergroup
headed by Ron Jarzombek
(Watchtower
, Spastic Ink
), bassist Alex Webster
(Cannibal Corpse
) and drummer Hannes Grossmann
(Obscura
, ex-Necrophagist
). They started out under the name Machinations of Dementia, but after the departure of drummer Chris Adler, the band changed their name to Blotted Science.
) and bassist Alex Webster
about a possible collaboration, with the goal of taking Jarzombek's signature left-of-center progressive metal approach into a much heavier, more extreme realm. Although the addition of a vocalist was briefly considered, the trio ultimately decided to remain an all-instrumental band. However, Adler had to bow out due to his demanding schedule with Lamb of God but would collaborate with Jarzombek on the song ‘The Near Dominance of 4 Against 5’ which appeared on Magna Carta Records
’s ‘Drum Nation Vol. 3’ compilation in 2006.
Adler's replacement was Derek Roddy
(Hate Eternal
, Nile
) and, at the suggestion of Webster, the band took on the name Machinations of Dementia. Roddy left the group in August 2006. Shortly thereafter, Jarzombek was introduced to Charlie Zeleny
, who would provide the missing drum tracks in a matter of weeks. The band, now known as Blotted Science, released their debut album, The Machinations of Dementia
, in the fall of 2007 on Jarzombek's EclecticElectric label.
In September 2010, Ron Jarzombek announced plans for a new Blotted Science EP consisting of seven songs totaling 24 minutes of music, with a tentative release date of early 2011. He also confirmed that the band would be utilizing the services of German drummer Hannes Grossmann
in place of Charlie Zeleny
on the recording.
In late July 2011, a 2-minute video teaser was posted on the band's YouTube channel and a October 4, 2011 release date announced for the EP, titled The Animation of Entomology.
Technical death metal
Technical death metal is a musical subgenre of death metal that focuses on complex rhythms, riffs and song structures. Technical experimentation in death metal began in the late '80s and early '90s by bands such as Death, Atheist and Cynic...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
headed by Ron Jarzombek
Ron Jarzombek
Ron Jarzombek is an American guitarist best known for his work with Austin, Texas progressive metal trailblazers WatchTower, '90s madcap trio, Spastic Ink, technical extreme metal band Blotted Science, featuring Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster and Obscura drummer Hannes Grossmann, and most...
(Watchtower
Watchtower (band)
WatchTower is an American progressive metal band based in Austin, Texas. The band were influenced by late 1970s progressive rock and acts such as Rush and UK as well as the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
, Spastic Ink
Spastic Ink
Spastic Ink is a progressive technical metal band from the United States.-History:Spastic Ink was formed in 1993 by guitarist Ron Jarzombek of Watchtower after recovering from multiple hand surgeries that had sidelined him, unable to play, for a couple of years. He would be joined by brother Bobby...
), bassist Alex Webster
Alex Webster
Alex Webster is an American bass player, who is best known as a member of the American death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He is one of two current members who were of the original lineup of Cannibal Corpse, the other being drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz...
(Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
) and drummer Hannes Grossmann
Hannes Grossmann
Hannes Grossmann is a German drummer who plays for German death metal band Obscura and US technical extreme metal band Blotted Science. His drumming is also heard on the Necrophagist album "Epitaph".-Early life:...
(Obscura
Obscura (band)
-History:Obscura was founded in 2002 by Steffen Kummerer. The band was named after the Gorguts album Obscura. In 2006 Obscura self-released their debut album Retribution and toured alongside Suffocation within Europe. A European headlining tour through East and South Europe followed in 2007...
, ex-Necrophagist
Necrophagist
Necrophagist is a German death metal band, founded and fronted by Muhammed Suiçmez; a German-born, Turkish guitarist and vocalist. The band is known for its rapid and technical compositions....
). They started out under the name Machinations of Dementia, but after the departure of drummer Chris Adler, the band changed their name to Blotted Science.
History
In 2005 Ron Jarzombek contacted drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of GodLamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
) and bassist Alex Webster
Alex Webster
Alex Webster is an American bass player, who is best known as a member of the American death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He is one of two current members who were of the original lineup of Cannibal Corpse, the other being drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz...
about a possible collaboration, with the goal of taking Jarzombek's signature left-of-center progressive metal approach into a much heavier, more extreme realm. Although the addition of a vocalist was briefly considered, the trio ultimately decided to remain an all-instrumental band. However, Adler had to bow out due to his demanding schedule with Lamb of God but would collaborate with Jarzombek on the song ‘The Near Dominance of 4 Against 5’ which appeared on Magna Carta Records
Magna Carta Records
Magna Carta Records is an independent record label located in Rochester, New York. Magna Carta was formed in 1989 and is owned by Peter Morticelli and his partner Mike Varney. The label has a diverse line-up consisting of musicians from many different genres, but is best known for many of its...
’s ‘Drum Nation Vol. 3’ compilation in 2006.
Adler's replacement was Derek Roddy
Derek Roddy
Derek Roddy is an American drummer and snake breeder, originally from South Carolina. His ability to record entire drum tracks in one or two takes earned him the nickname "One Take"....
(Hate Eternal
Hate Eternal
-Biography:Hate Eternal was formed in 1997. The group's original line-up included Erik Rutan - guitars/vocals, bassist and co-vocalist Jared Anderson, drummer Tim Yeung, and guitarist Doug Cerrito of the band Suffocation...
, Nile
Nile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
) and, at the suggestion of Webster, the band took on the name Machinations of Dementia. Roddy left the group in August 2006. Shortly thereafter, Jarzombek was introduced to Charlie Zeleny
Charlie Zeleny
Charlie Zeleny is a New York City session drummer, music director, producer, and band leader most popular for his work playing duo with Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater and his drum duet work with Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel and playing a nonstop 8 minute Drum Solo called "Drumageddon" up an...
, who would provide the missing drum tracks in a matter of weeks. The band, now known as Blotted Science, released their debut album, The Machinations of Dementia
The Machinations of Dementia
The Machinations of Dementia is the debut album by the instrumental technical death metal band Blotted Science, released September 18, 2007 on guitarist Ron Jarzombek's EclecticElectric label...
, in the fall of 2007 on Jarzombek's EclecticElectric label.
In September 2010, Ron Jarzombek announced plans for a new Blotted Science EP consisting of seven songs totaling 24 minutes of music, with a tentative release date of early 2011. He also confirmed that the band would be utilizing the services of German drummer Hannes Grossmann
Hannes Grossmann
Hannes Grossmann is a German drummer who plays for German death metal band Obscura and US technical extreme metal band Blotted Science. His drumming is also heard on the Necrophagist album "Epitaph".-Early life:...
in place of Charlie Zeleny
Charlie Zeleny
Charlie Zeleny is a New York City session drummer, music director, producer, and band leader most popular for his work playing duo with Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater and his drum duet work with Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel and playing a nonstop 8 minute Drum Solo called "Drumageddon" up an...
on the recording.
In late July 2011, a 2-minute video teaser was posted on the band's YouTube channel and a October 4, 2011 release date announced for the EP, titled The Animation of Entomology.
Current members
- Ron JarzombekRon JarzombekRon Jarzombek is an American guitarist best known for his work with Austin, Texas progressive metal trailblazers WatchTower, '90s madcap trio, Spastic Ink, technical extreme metal band Blotted Science, featuring Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster and Obscura drummer Hannes Grossmann, and most...
- Guitars - Alex WebsterAlex WebsterAlex Webster is an American bass player, who is best known as a member of the American death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He is one of two current members who were of the original lineup of Cannibal Corpse, the other being drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz...
- Bass - Hannes GrossmannHannes GrossmannHannes Grossmann is a German drummer who plays for German death metal band Obscura and US technical extreme metal band Blotted Science. His drumming is also heard on the Necrophagist album "Epitaph".-Early life:...
- Drums
Former members
- Charlie ZelenyCharlie ZelenyCharlie Zeleny is a New York City session drummer, music director, producer, and band leader most popular for his work playing duo with Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater and his drum duet work with Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel and playing a nonstop 8 minute Drum Solo called "Drumageddon" up an...
- Drums - Derek RoddyDerek RoddyDerek Roddy is an American drummer and snake breeder, originally from South Carolina. His ability to record entire drum tracks in one or two takes earned him the nickname "One Take"....
- Drums - Chris Adler - Drums
Discography
- The Machinations of DementiaThe Machinations of DementiaThe Machinations of Dementia is the debut album by the instrumental technical death metal band Blotted Science, released September 18, 2007 on guitarist Ron Jarzombek's EclecticElectric label...
(2007) - The Animation of Entomology (EP) (2011)