06/22/2005 21:39

Atheist

Relapse to release complete Atheist collection

Relapse Records is proud to announce the forthcoming reissue of the entire recorded works of seminal technical metal pioneers Atheist.

Atheistwas one of the first truly adventurous bands to break out of the late 80's death metal underground. In addition to Atheist's albums (1989's 'Piece of Time', 1992's 'Unquestionable Presence', and 1993's 'Elements') being benchmarks of quality and progression, the band's musical vision directly influenced many noteworthy artists both past (Cynic, later-era Death, Pestilence) and present (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Necrophagist, Spiral Architect).

"I am overwhelmed with joy to see the re-release of the entire Atheist catalog after so many years." commented guitarist/vocalist and founding member Kelly Shaefer. Shaefer continues, "I've toured extensively since making these records, and everywhere I go I run into people who were not just into Atheist, but who praised the band's uniqueness and how much it forced them to progress as musicians and push the boundaries as players."

"I have been hunting for a label that would treat the catalog with the respect it deserves and whose goal is the same as ours: to turn the new generation of extreme metal and prog metal heads onto Atheist. Relapse is that label as it has a true understanding of where Atheist helped to rewrite the timeline of metal."

Relapse will start by issuing a limited edition, foil-stamped box set containing LP versions of each of the Atheist full-lengths, as well as the R.A.V.A.G.E. (pre-Atheist) 'On They Slay' 7" EP exclusive to this edition. The LP box will be strictly limited to 1,000 copies and surface in July. The CD re-issues will follow in the late Summer/early Fall starting with Elements on August 30 (US) and September 5 (Europe).

(source: Relapse Records)