Skeletonwitch

Skeletonwitch is a blackened thrash metal group from Athens, Ohio, formed in 2003. Its core early lineup includes Nate Garnette on guitar, Scott Hedrick on guitar, Chance Garnette on vocals, Evan Linger on bass and Derrick Nau on drums. The group remains active and is also associated with black metal and death metal.

Early releases and label history

The band releases its first album, At One with the Shadows, in 2004 through Shredded Records. It then issues a self-released demo later that year and the EP Worship the Witch in 2005 after the Shredded Records deal fails. After signing to Prosthetic, it releases Beyond the Permafrost in 2007.

Later albums and wider recognition

Skeletonwitch follows with Breathing the Fire in 2009, which reaches number 151 on the Billboard 200. The song “Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery” appears on the soundtrack to Brütal Legend, while “Crushed Beyond Dust” appears on the Rock Band Network in 2010. That same year, the band appears on all dates of Ozzfest and contributes “Bringers of Death” to an Adult Swim video and the compilation Metal Swim.

Line-up changes

In 2011, Derrick Nau leaves the band and is first temporarily replaced by Tony Laureano, then by Dustin Boltjes. Forever Abomination is released later that year and is the first album to feature Boltjes on drums. A current line-up listed for the group includes Adam Clemans on lead vocals, Nate Garnette and Scott Hedrick on guitars, Evan Linger on bass and Dustin Boltjes on drums.

Touring and associations

Skeletonwitch is one of the opening acts on Danzig’s 2008 Blackest of the Black tour. Its work in this period helps establish its profile within the blackened thrash metal scene.