Insanity

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Biography

Formed in 1985, Bay Area band Insanity were instrumental in metal’s evolution from thrash to death metal. Drummer Bud Mills was a big reason why, as his so-called “1-1” beat presaged the modern blastbeat. The band’s sound more than lived up to its name. Not only did it crank thrash up to frenzied warp speeds, it also displayed chops well ahead of its time. Insanity were legendary worldwide in the ’80s metal tape trading circuit, with members of Carcass and Napalm Death citing them as an influence. However, the band never achieved proper success due to various misfortunes. Insanity’s inaugural lineup comprised vocalist Joe DeZuniga, guitarist Dave Gorsuch, bassist Keith Ellison, and drummer Bud Mills. Their 1985 rehearsal demo, recorded with a Walkman and a stereo microphone in a garage, gained global renown in the metal underground. Napalm Death later covered “Fire Death Fate” on Leaders Not Followers, Pt. 2, and Snakepit magazine reissued the demo on 7” with its 15th anniversary issue. Insanity made its storied live debut on October 19, 1985, opening for Death in Bay Area metal hotspot Ruthie’s Inn. However, two events derailed the band’s rising career. The first was Mills’ incarceration for ten months; the second was DeZuniga’s death from heart disease on May 16, 1987.
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  • j-yeags

    death metal with fucking balls.

    19 Jan 7:06pm Reply

  • Venusfly91

    My god, this is one hell of an album. One of the best thrash/death metal albums ever made

    7 Oct 2012 Reply

  • UponDoom

    jesus fucking christ, death after death rips

    15 Mar 2012 Reply

  • Coberholt

    Posession is the best song by the American Insanity, just fucking stellar

    21 Aug 2011 Reply

  • KSava

    Seeing them at Day of Death and then the next day again. Now, that is Insanity!

    20 Jun 2011 Reply

  • BestialWarlust

    Saw them the other night. They live up to their name, their chops are insane. Picked up the '85 demo on vinyl. Band rules so hard.

    15 May 2011 Reply

  • nalo503

    coming back to Portland this summer :)

    5 May 2011 Reply

  • Rippingheadache

    This band is retardedly awesome.

    21 Mar 2011 Reply

  • ThrasheDDeatH

    Very tasty. Sounds very Brazilian even though it's not.

    11 Jan 2011 Reply

  • BrownAndMoist

    living proof that this band doesn't get the credit they deserve aside from those who really know and appreciate the history of death metal...

    6 Jul 2010 Reply

  • BrownAndMoist

    "shitty thrash metal in disguise"? really? i take it you don't realize the majority of those songs were written before death metal was even a fully developed genre, and while bands like Death and Master were still playing primitive Venom worship.

    6 Jul 2010 Reply

  • FrostGarm

    Fine band.

    7 May 2010 Reply

  • MagnesiaNova

    Man, I listened to Death After Death after hearing many good things about it and expecting awesome Death Metal, aaaaaaaaand...... IT SUCKS! It's hardly even Death Metal, it's more like just shitty Thrash Metal in disguise.

    22 Apr 2010 Reply

  • Robocoloku

    Add a cover for Chronicles of the Cursed!

    20 Apr 2010 Reply

  • neophrates

    RIP bud and joe

    8 Feb 2010 Reply

  • ThoughtAdjuster

    the black lung re-release of death after death is absolutely worthless.

    16 Dec 2009 Reply

  • AGreenman

    The artist bio is just awfully written. I should probably do something about that.

    16 Oct 2009 Reply

  • Grinddozz

    Napalm Death cover on "Fire, Death, Fate" makes me check out this band and it not disappointed :)

    4 Oct 2009 Reply

  • afz902k

    Pretty damn good.

    26 Sep 2009 Reply

  • guitarshred66

    The '85 Rehearsal is just fucking insane. What an overlooked band.

    25 Jul 2009 Reply
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