Origin: Peoria, Illinois, USA  
Genres: Doom Metal, Post-Metal
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Page online: December 11, 2006
Last update/review: May 6, 2015

Minsk

Taking their name from the Belarusian capitol city, this Illinois quintet has impressively debuted with Out Of A Center Which Is Neither Dead Nor Alive in 2005. Out Of A Center fits squarely in the Isis mold of drawn-out, ambient, post-hardcore doom, yet there’s something unique about the album that raises it above its competitors. The songs are long (none of the six tracks are under eight minutes in length, and most are over ten) and take their time to develop, but the atmosphere and the emotions conveyed mask any signs of monotony. There is a pronounced percussive trait on display that really sets these guys apart, with vocalist Tim Mead’s conga drum playing giving the songs a primal, tribal feel that is most welcome. There’s also in a cool sax on closer “Wisp Of Tow” that fits perfectly with the distant sound effects and meandering guitars. This is an excellent album sure to appeal to the atmospheric hardcore crowd (Neurosis, Cult Of Luna, etc.) as well as those into well-crafted experimental doom metal.

In April 2011 the band announced an indefinite hiatus (which often leads to disbandment), but a few years later a modified lineup returned to action.

Current Members

Tim Mead

vocals/keyboards/percussion

Chris Bennett

guitars

Aaron Austin

guitars/vocals

Zachary Livingston

bass

Tony Wyioming

drums

Kevin Rendleman

drums

Former Members/Guests

Dustin Addis

guitars

Sanford Parker

bass (ex-Buried At Sea, Black Cross Hotel, ex-Nachtmystium)

Anthony Couri

drums



Discography


Out Of A Center Which Is Neither Dead Nor Alive  
2005 At A Loss
  1. Waging War on the Forevers
  2. Narcotics and Dissecting Knives
  3. Holy Flower of the North Star
  4. Three Hours
  5. Bloodletting and Forgetting
  6. Wisp of Tow
  • Tim Mead
  • Dustin Addis
  • Chris Bennett
  • Sanford Parker
  • Anthony Couri



The Ritual Fires Of Abandonment  
2007 Relapse
  1. Embers
  2. White Wings
  3. Mescaline Sunrise
  4. The Orphans of Piety
  5. Circle of Ashes
  6. Ceremony Ek Stasis
  • Tim Mead
  • Dustin Addis
  • Chris Bennett
  • Sanford Parker
  • Anthony Couri



With Echoes In The Movement Of Stone  
2009 Relapse
  1. Three Moons
  2. The Shore of Transcendence
  3. Almitra's Premonition
  4. Means to An End
  5. Crescent Mirror
  6. Pisgah
  7. Consumed By Horizons of Fire
  8. Requiem: From Substance to Silence
  • Tim Mead
  • Chris Bennett
  • Sanford Parker
  • Tony Wyioming



The Crash And The Draw  
2015 Relapse
  1. To the Initiate
  2. Within and Without
  3. Onward Procession I. These Longest of Days
  4. Onward Procession II. The Soil Calls
  5. Onward Procession III. The Blue Hour
  6. Onward Procession IV. Return, the Heir
  7. Conjunction
  8. The Way Is Through
  9. To You There Is No End
  10. To the Garish Remembrance of Failure
  11. When the Walls Fell
  • Tim Mead
  • Chris Bennett
  • Aaron Austin
  • Zachary Livingston
  • Kevin Rendleman




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