AKERCOCKE
Bloodstock Outdoor
Catton Hall Derbyshire
The band was formed in 1997 by Jason Mendonca and David Gray. The two had been friends in the past, and played in Salem Orchid until 1992, when that band split up. They soon added second guitarist Paul Scanlan and bassist Peter Theobalds. They self-released their first album, Rape of the Bastard Nazarene, in 1999; after this release met with some success, they were signed to the underground Peaceville Records. Their debut release for the new company was 2001's The Goat of Mendes, previously released on the band's own Goat of Mendes label. 2003 saw the release of Choronzon, on Earache Records.
Guitarist Paul Scanlan then parted company with Akercocke. His replacement is Matt Wilcock, formerly of Australian metal band The Berzerker.
Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone was released in Britain and Europe in October 2005, and in the United States in February 2006, on Earache Records to great critical acclaim. To promote the album, Akercocke went on tour with Mortician and Blood Red Throne through Europe. Prior to this, they had played four shows in Britain to promote the new album, supported by fellow British death metallers Ted Maul.
On January 18, 2007, Theobalds left the band. He was replaced by Peter Benjamin of the band Corpsing.
Akercocke released their fifth album, Antichrist, on May 28, 2007. A video has been released for the song "Axiom", directed by Erica Herbert of HSI London, deemed "a unique and beautiful visual outing" by Jason Mendonca.
In August 2008 Akercocke take to the main stage of the UK’s No.1 metal festival Bloodstock Open Air.
