ZOMBIE DEATH STENCH BEHIND THE MUSIC PART 1

Formed in late 1982 by avant-garde metal rockers Johann Siemens (Guitar, Vox), Billy Candrell (Guitar), Danny Evans (Bass), Mark Walthrophe (Keyboards), and Neal Passion (Drums) “Zombie Death Stench” has been a much maligned forerunner of the metal scene. They are perhaps best known for their revolving line-up which has seen over 25 members come and go in the last 23 years.

Candrell was the first member to join the dearly departed in early 1983 while the band was recording its first studio album “Crypts of the Mega-Necropolis”. He was killed in a freak accident by a tree which fell through the studio roof and crushed him while he was playing a particularly blistering guitar solo.

Not only did Johann decide to keep the band together but also decided to keep the guitar solo (which can be heard at 2:27 seconds on the track “Engorged with your Blood”). Studio tech and all around guitar wizard Ritchie Greene eventually sat in and completed Candrell’s unfinished tracks and eventually joined the band.

“Crypts of the Mega-Necropolis” was released and banned in several states not more than a week later. Critics and social groups claimed that the music was nothing more than gratuitous violence that bordered on pornography. Jimmy Traker of the Families for Clean Living Coalition called the album “. . . a testament to how far our society has sunk into depravity . . . and a clear sign of the coming apocalypse.”

Deciding to ignore the harsh criticism and banning of their album ZDS set out on their first U.S. club tour. It was just before their third show that Mark Walthrophe was accidentally decapitated in the bands dressing room when he knocked over a full length mirror. Still covered in his band mate’s blood Johann decided it would be best to play the show with roadie Tad Dailyne sitting in on the keys.

After six months on the road and word that their album was selling quite well in Europe ZDS decided to pack up and jump the pond. Tragedy struck once again shortly after the band was played their fourth sold out show in London. Danny Evans has been suffering from severe gastrointestinal pain for several days but had refused to see a doctor. It was only minutes after that band left the stage that Evans locked himself into the dressing room bathroom. Two and a half hours later the frantic band members and roadies knocked the door down and found Evans dead, on the commode.

Lucky for ZDS there was a young British bass prodigy by the name of John Sigmund who jumped at the chance to fill the space Evans left behind. Nearly overnight Sigmund helped forge a new ZDS sound that would leave quite an impact on music fans in many of the Northern European countries they visited.

After the tour wrapped up the band decided to reconvene in late 1985 in an English country side manor to begin working on what would become “Night of the Flesh Eaters”. It was during this time that drummer Neal Passion fell from the manors second floor terrace, while drunk, and broke both of his legs. Passion was side lined and felt that perhaps he should return to the U.S. to fully recuperate. So the band invited famous British session drummer Terrance Mills to sit in on the recording process. While in the studio Johann Siemens and John Sigmund clashed repeatedly about the bands sound and direction. Many feel that it was this tension that made “Night of the Flesh Eaters” the classic that it is considered today.

After finishing “Night of the Flesh Eaters” in early 1986 ZDS was shocked to discover that their record label had folded without their knowledge. So the band began the lengthy process of shopping the album around to various labels. Instead of resting on their laurels they decided to tour the U.S. east coast and much of northern Europe while they tried to get a new deal. They also decided to make the house in England the bands official home.

Passion was still not a hundred percent ready to play so after much begging and pleading they managed to get Terrance Mills to join the band officially. On this tour the band went on the play a legendary stint of shows in Florida that still have metal fans raving to this day. On the strength of their live performances the band managed to land a new record deal.

After the tour ended Passion called Johann from California to say that he was 100% ready to play again. The band broke the new to Mills who seemed to handle the quite well. In fact it had been a long time dream of Mills to visit California and he offered to travel there and meet up with Passion.

After spending two weeks in Southern California site seeing Mills and Passion boarded a plane to make the series of long flights back to England. Not more than two minutes after take off Mills and Passion’s plane crashed after a catastrophic engine failure.

Stunned by the news of the loss of both drummers Johann Siemens called up the other band members to break up the band. Luckily for music lovers John Sigmund would hear nothing of it. He claimed that in the face of horrible adversity ZDS could become an even stronger band. By this time Johann had given up most of the vocal duties to Sigmund anyway and decided that he was no longer needed and quit. He also confessed to Tad Dailyne that he had begun to fear for his life. He claimed the band had been cursed and that he never should have pissed off that old lady in New Orleans. So Sigmund packed his bags and headed home to America.

PART TWO COMING SOON. . .