Asphyx

Asphyx is a Dutch death metal band from Overijssel, formed in 1987. Its early line-up is built around drummer Bob Bagchus and guitarist Tony Brookhuis, with Joost on vocals and bass before Chuck Colli replaces him after the first demo, Carnage Remains. The group then records the Enter the Domain demo and adds Eric Daniels as a second guitarist.

Early releases and first albums

In March 1989, Theo Loomans replaces Colli and the band records the Crush the Cenotaph demo. Brookhuis then leaves, and the remaining trio records Embrace the Death, an album that is completed in 1990 but not released at the time because of label problems. After Martin van Drunen leaves Pestilence in the early 1990s, he joins Asphyx, which signs to Century Media Records.

The band’s first album, The Rack, is followed by European touring with Entombed, and then tours with Bolt Thrower and Benediction in 1992. After the second album, Last One on Earth, van Drunen leaves and Ron van der Pol replaces him. Bagchus later leaves as well and Sander van Hoof takes over on drums. The band releases its third album, Asphyx, in 1994 before breaking up shortly afterwards.

Breakups, reformations and side projects

In 1995, Loomans and Bagchus reform Asphyx and record God Cries. Around the same time, the previously unreleased Embrace the Death album is issued. The band splits again after that release. In 1998, Loomans dies when his car is hit by a train. After this, Bagchus and Daniels form Soulburn and, with Pentacle singer and bass guitarist Wannes Gubbels, record Feeding on Angels. In 1999, they rename that project Asphyx and record On the Wings of Inferno with the same line-up, before the group disbands again in 2000.

Later activity

Asphyx reunites in January 2007 with van Drunen, Gubbels, Paul Baayens and Bagchus. The band initially plans to concentrate on live performance, but records a cover of a Celtic Frost song and a new track called “Death...The Brutal Way” in 2008. Death...The Brutal Way is released in 2009 by Century Media, and in North America by Ibex Moon Records. Deathhammer follows in 2012, Incoming Death in 2016, and Necroceros in 2021.

Members and style

Asphyx’s membership over time includes Bob Bagchus, Christian Colli, Eric Daniels, Theo Loomans, Martin van Drunen, Paul Baayens, Alwin Zuur, Roel Sanders and A.J. Van Drenth, alongside other line-up changes including Ron van der Pol, Sander van Hoof, Stefan Hüskens, Tony Brookhuis, Joost and Wannes Gubbels. The band is associated with death metal, death-doom metal, doom metal and metal, and is identified as a Dutch death metal group.