Circle of Dead Children
Encyclopedia
Circle of Dead Children is a deathgrind
Deathgrind
Deathgrind is a musical genre that fuses death metal and grindcore. The genre, along with pornogrind, is related to the goregrind subgenre...

 band formed on October 24, 1998, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 known for being purveyors of pure aural destruction with their claustrophobic, dense take on extreme metal. Vocalist Joe Horvath has stated that the band name was inspired by a vision of his, where a circle of flags from every country in the world lay on the floor, each bearing a mutilated child from its respective nation.

The band generally play a varied style of extreme metal, combining grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....

, death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....

 and crust punk
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...

 with black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....

 and doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...

 overtones and atmospheres appearing in the writing at times. Song writing utilizes some traditional grindcore and deathgrind format in writing very short songs: six seconds, for instance, for the track "White Trash Headache". Other tracks develop into much longer pieces: 5 minutes and 45 seconds, for instance, for the track, "Germinate the Reaper Seed". Metal Maniacs Magazine, in 2005, published an article written by Wade Gosselin, where two "modern grind acts" were chosen who he believed had pushed the bar the highest in the modern grindcore scene. The article was titled "Suffocate Mediocrity / Expanding Grindcore" and featured "Circle of Dead Children" and "Antigama".

After a self-titled demo in 1998, Circle of Dead Children signed on with Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

 to release their first full-length album, Starving the Vultures
Starving the Vultures
Starving the Vultures is the first studio album by Pittsburgh's Circle of Dead Children.-Track listing:# "Ursa Major" – 0:45# "Eldorado" - 3:14# "Where the Hive Hangs" – 3:10# "Sunday's Agenda?" – 2:06# "Tranquilizer" – 0:54...

, which comprised the demo tracks as well as several new ones. Since then, Circle of Dead Children has been signed to S.O.A. Records, Robodog Records (now called Robotic Empire
Robotic Empire
Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,...

, Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records was a record label founded in 1993, mainly providing an American home for extreme black metal to start. The label's roster included artists such as Archgoat, The Black, Incantation, Satanic Slaughter, Witchery, Rotten Sound, Babylon Whores, Dissection, Dawn,, Vondur, Impaled and...

, Deathvomit Records, Martyr Music Group, Earache Records
Earache Records
Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...

, Displeased Records
Displeased Records
Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...

 and Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records is an independent record label based in Europe founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal and death metal, having bands such as Emperor,...

. They are currently signed with Willowtip once again, having passed on deals from larger labels on several occasions. Since its debut, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes; only one of the original members, Joe Horvath, still remaining.

Formation and early history

Circle of Dead Children formed after Joe Horvath and Jason Andrews previous band, .blackwel. had broken up. They joined with John Kubacka, David Good and Jon Miciolek who had been playing in various punk bands at the time. Following their tenth practice they recorded their first and only demo cassette, which was self-titled. The band focused on playing around the Pittsburgh area for its first couple years of existence. Each of the live concerts during the first couple of years had seen vocalist, Joe Horvath, commit to self-battery and bloodshed, adding to the shock value.

s/t Demo cassette

Following their tenth practice in 1998, Circle of Dead Children self-financed a self-titled demo cassette which was sold, and subsequently sold out, at their first two live shows. There were one-hundred copies made for distribution. The demo contained four tracks and had a total playing time of just 5:45.

Starving the Vultures

Shortly after releasing a demo cassette, Circle of Dead Children signed a deal with Willowtip Records and developed their first album, Starving the Vultures
Starving the Vultures
Starving the Vultures is the first studio album by Pittsburgh's Circle of Dead Children.-Track listing:# "Ursa Major" – 0:45# "Eldorado" - 3:14# "Where the Hive Hangs" – 3:10# "Sunday's Agenda?" – 2:06# "Tranquilizer" – 0:54...

. It contained the four tracks from their demo cassette in addition to ten more songs. They recorded this release with Todd Doehring at a makeshift studio inside of a now condemned building, called Plus/Minus Studios, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The album was released in 1998, on compact disc through Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

. A limited edition vinyl LP version with a pressing of 500 was released through Italian record label, S.O.A. Records and has long since been sold out. The album received positive reviews, praising the band's unique approach of extreme metal. The fourteen tracks have a total playing time of 24:18.

Exotic Sense Decay (ep)

In 1999, Circle of Dead Children were originally approached to do a split 10" record with Ontario, Canada metal band, Maharahj
Maharahj
Maharahj is a metalcore band from Oakville, Ontario. Their name originated from a modified spelling of the East Indian term maharaja. This now defunct band was founded in 1997 by Garren and Clay under the original name One Winged Angel. Over the course five years the band released one demo and...

. Within two and half weeks, CODC had written and recorded 7 tracks for the proposed release. It was recorded at Plus/Minus Studios, in Pittsburgh, PA, with Todd Doehring. The band recorded with all lights shut off and only a few tea candles lit and scattered through the warehouse. After several setbacks with the other band and proposed record label, Circle of Dead Children made the decision to release the songs as a CD-EP on Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

. They also released the songs on a limited-edition 7" picture disc record, on Robodog Records, with a pressing of 500. Each side of the picture disc featured unique artwork. Vocalist, Joe Horvath, painted the art that became the album cover for this release, after having difficulty finding suitable artwork that they could commission. He titled the piece, "The Cost of Impatience". Following the release of 'Exotic Sense Decay', CODC parted ways with original bass player, David Good. This release featured seven tracks and a total playing time of 12:19.

the Genocide Machine

Following the success of 'Starving the Vultures' and 'Exotic Sense Decay', Circle of Dead Children was approached and offered record deals from several larger metal record labels. After turning down several of the larger contract offers, CODC made the decision to sign a contract with Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records was a record label founded in 1993, mainly providing an American home for extreme black metal to start. The label's roster included artists such as Archgoat, The Black, Incantation, Satanic Slaughter, Witchery, Rotten Sound, Babylon Whores, Dissection, Dawn,, Vondur, Impaled and...

 newly formed subsidiary label, Deathvomit Records. They recruited friend and former bandmate of Joe Horvath and Jason Andrews, Alf Kooser to play bass guitar. The release was the band's last to be recording at the old warehouse with Plus/Minus Studios. It was recorded in the dead of winter while temperatures were in the single digits outside and not much higher inside the weathered, nearly condemned warehouse where Plus/Minus Studios was located. The album contained seventeen tracks, four of which were all electronic, industrial-influenced noise tracks, two of which featured Horvath's vocals. The closing track, "Ctrl * Alt * Delete", is a slow dirge track highlighted by an eerie spoken word explanation of what the band views as "the genocide machine". Artwork was done by Michael and Mark Riddick.

'the Genocide Machine' sold out of its 3,500 pressing in the first month of its release and received numerous praise and accolades, as well as ranking #9 in the College Music Journal
College Music Journal
College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...

 hardrock charts at one point, the highest any Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records was a record label founded in 1993, mainly providing an American home for extreme black metal to start. The label's roster included artists such as Archgoat, The Black, Incantation, Satanic Slaughter, Witchery, Rotten Sound, Babylon Whores, Dissection, Dawn,, Vondur, Impaled and...

 bands had garnered at that time. Circle of Dead Children embarked on a tour with California grindcore pioneers, Phobia
Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational...

, in support of 'the Genocide Machine'. Circle of Dead Children's relationship with Necropolis Records quickly soured after the label was unable to recoup the band for the recording costs. Circle of Dead Children terminated their contract with Necropolis Records / Deathvomit Records and ordered a cease and desist upon further pressings of 'the Genocide Machine'. Bootleg copies of 'the Genocide Machine' have been discovered throughout the world.

Willowtip Records released 'the Genocide Machine' on a limited-edition vinyl LP which was packaged in a silver static-bag. There was a pressing of 1000, with 250 hand-numbered copies available on transparent blue vinyl with different, but complementary artwork. This album has a total playing time of 28:44.

Following the release, CODC parted ways with guitarist Jon Kubacka, bassist Alf Kooser and original drummer, Jon Miciolek.

Human Harvest

In 2003, Circle of Dead Children released 'Human Harvest' with only three members. This was their first and only release featuring no bass player. Drummer, Mike Rosswog, helped to provide CODC with a faster and more intense element of sound, which has since stayed in place. 'Human Harvest' was recorded at Austin Enterprise, in Massachusetts, with Steve Austin, founder of Today is the Day
Today is the Day
Today Is the Day is an experimental noise rock/metal/grindcore band from Nashville, Tennessee. They have a diverse sound that includes influences from alternative rock, grindcore, & progressive rock among other genres...

. Circle of Dead Children agreed to a one-off licensing deal for 'Human Harvest' with Martyr Music Group in the Americas, and Displeased Records
Displeased Records
Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...

 for Europe and Asia. Displeased Records
Displeased Records
Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...

 also released a limited-edition vinyl version of 'Human Harvest', featuring different but complementary artwork. The album received a great deal of positive reviews and press, often citing the new level of brutality and intensity found within the music and vocals. Artwork was done by Mark Riddick. The final track, "Alkaline", includes a bonus track at the 9:07 mark, which is actually part of a vocal segment from the song "Mother Pig", slowed down. This album features 19 tracks and has a total playing time of 32:01.

Following the release, CODC parted ways with drummer Mike Rosswog.

Zero Comfort Margin

Released in 2005, 'Zero Comfort Margin' followed a hiatus of over one year in which CODC added former Sadis Euphoria drummer Mike Bartek, and former Sadis Euphoria guitarist, Drew Haritan, to the lineup. Drew played bass guitar. The band was invited by engineer/producer Steve Austin
Steve Austin
Stephen, Steven, or Steve Austin may refer to:* Stone Cold Steve Austin , American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler* Steve Austin , Australian dog trainer* Stephen F...

 to his home to record what was initially intended to be demo tracks, prior to their new drummer having to undergo wrist surgery which would set the band back while he recovered. In a notorious recording session in which Steve Austin told Metal Maniacs Magazine that he barely recalled, the band recorded 15 songs. The decision was made to release the songs as an Ep, through Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

 in the Americas and Earache Records
Earache Records
Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...

 for Europe and Asia. A limited-edition gatefold vinyl version was released by Arclight Communications with a pressing of 500. It featured complementary artwork and black and gold or white and gold splattered vinyl to honor the sporting colors associated with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 'Zero Comfort Margin' featured the only cover song that CODC has recorded to date, a cover of 'Playdumb' by local 1990's grindcore band, Hideous Mangleus. Artwork was completed again by Mark Riddick. This release features 15 tracks, four of which are electronic noise tracks, and has a total playing time of 20:19.

Following the release, CODC parted ways with drummer Mike Bartek.

Psalm of the Grand Destroyer

Prior to drummer Mike Bartek's departure in 2006, Circle of Dead Children had written twelve new songs, but had never recorded them. The band again found themselves in an extended hiatus while they looked for a new drummer. Matt Francis, from Binghamton, New York, was brought into the band in 2007 and eventually moved to Pittsburgh to be closer in 2008. In 2009, the band recorded the music for the twelve songs they had previously written plus three additional new songs at Mr. Smalls Studio, in Pittsburgh, PA. Due to serious illness and other setbacks, Joe Horvath did not record his vocals for the album until several months later. 'Psalm of the Grand Destroyer' was mastered and produced by Scott Hull
Scott Hull
Scott Hull is an American heavy metal musician, and the current guitarist and producer for Pig Destroyer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, and Japanese Torture Comedy Hour. He has been part of many other projects including the controversial band Anal Cunt . Aside from his music works, he currently works as a...

  at Visceral Sound, based in Bethesda, Maryland, and released by Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

 in the Americas and Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records is an independent record label based in Europe founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal and death metal, having bands such as Emperor,...

  for Europe and Asia in June 2010. Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

 also released a limited-edition vinyl LP pressing of 1000 copies, with 250 being on gold splattered wax and 250 on red wax. It featured alternate, but complementary, artwork done by Alex Eckman-Lawn. This release features fifteen tracks and has a total playing time of 31:47.

Current members

  • Joe Horvath - vocals
    Singing
    Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...

     (1998–Present)
  • Drew Haritan - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (2011–Present)
  • Brooks - bass
    Bass guitar
    The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

     (2011–Present)
  • Matt Francis - drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

     (2007–2010)

Former members

  • Jason Andrews - guitar (1998–2011)
  • Drew Haritan - bass (2005–2011) * still active member
  • Dave Good - bass (1998–2000)
  • Jon Kubacka - guitar (1998–2001)
  • Ben Smartnic - guitar (2001)
  • Jon Miciolek - drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

     (1998–2002)
  • Mike Rosswog - drums (2002–2003)
  • Alf Kooser - bass (2000–2002, 2004)
  • Mike Bartek - drums (2004–2006)

Discography

  • 1998 - Circle of Dead Children demo
    Demo (music)
    A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...

  • 1999 - Starving the Vultures (CD
    Compact Disc
    The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...

    : Willowtip Records
    Willowtip Records
    Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...

    , LP
    Gramophone record
    A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...

    : S.O.A. Records)
  • 2000 - Exotic Sense Decay (CD EP
    Extended play
    An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...

    : Willowtip Records, 7" picture disc EP
    Unusual types of gramophone records
    The overwhelming majority of records manufactured have been of certain sizes , playback speeds , and appearance...

    : Robotic Empire
    Robotic Empire
    Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,...

    )
  • 2001 - The Genocide Machine (CD: Deathvomit Records, LP: Willowtip Records)
  • 2003 - Human Harvest (CD: Americas
    Americas
    The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...

    : Martyr Music Group, Europe
    Europe
    Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

     and World: Displeased Records
    Displeased Records
    Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...

    , LP: Displeased Records)
  • 2005 - Zero Comfort Margin (CD : Earache Records
    Earache Records
    Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...

    , 10" : Arclight Commincatons)
  • 2010 - Psalm of the Grand Destroyer (CD: Willowtip Records)
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