THE BERZERKER
Bloodstock Outdoor
Catton Hall Derbyshire
The Berzerker BIO - 2008
The Berzerker was created in 1995 out of the need to continue making brutal music after a horrific car crash. (where, while driving Luke Kenny hit a power pole at 80kph) While he survived the freak accident he was left with severe back injuries. Luke was 19 yrs old at the time and was a successful death metal drummer. This event put an instant stop to his drumming career. His desire to continue making extreme music found him selling all his drum equipment and buying samplers and a sequencer, with the idea to program what he had already been playing.
He had been triggering 909 kick drums live in another band since 1993 and decided to continue to combine brutal electronic with death metal.
Timeline.
1995 - Demos for (self titled album) written
1996 – First Berzerker 12’ vinyl release on Industrial Strength (USA)
1996 – Second 12” vinyl release on Speedcore records (GERMANY)
1997 – Third 12” vinyl release on Widerstand Recs (AUSTRIA)
1997 – Morbid Angel Remixes for Earache Records
1998 - Met with Earache in the UK and was offered world wide deal
1999 – Went to Canada to record with Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad)
2000 – Returned to Australia to finish album with aussies Ed Lacey, Sam Bean and Jay Vasalis
2000 - Luke heads to Berlin and Dj’s in front of 10,000 people playing tracks from the upcoming album at the FUCK PARADE
2000 – “Self Titled” album is released through Earache Records
2000 – Live act created, musicians are auditioned and with only 12 shows under their belt the band headed to the US for 30 shows with Dying Fetus, Skinless and Goreguts.
2000 - Post tour, immediate line up change due to personal differences
2000 - Welcome new members Gary Thomas (drums) and matt Wilcock (Guitars)
2002 – Writing, recording for Dissimulate commences
2002 – “Dissimulate” album is released through Earache Records and features the worlds fastest drumming, World tour commenced (5 months) full tours with bands such as Vader, Nile, Immolation, Origin, Napalm Death, Strapping Young Lad, Dark Tranquillity etc.., (Drummer) Gary has ankle broken by bouncer in NY, USA, Luke Kenny (singer) fills in on drums while for 7 shows with Napalm Death, Session drummer recruited from Florida to finish European Tour.
2003 – Back in Australia
2003 - Luke had spent a year training up the new members and seen the band fall apart by overly aggressive security in NY, USA
2003 – Luke was ready to give up
2003 – Luke convinced to do new album.
2003 - Masked are dropped due to poor condition and health reasons
2003 – Work on Berzerker DVD starts
2004 - The Principles and Practices of The Berzerker (DVD) is released through Earache, DVD contains over 4 hrs of footage all edited completely by Luke Kenny, There are 2 documentaries about the recording process up to the time and the world see’s a very different side to the band. The DVD was recommended by Kerrang! as required viewing for aspiring metal bands
2005 – “World of Lies” recorded, jay, ed and Sam all back.(all from Self Titled album), The lyrics all based on 1 individual
2005 - 3rd album “World of Lies” album is released through Earache Records
2006 - Dave grey (Ackercocke drummer used for UK tours)
2006 - UK tour
2007 - Long awaited aus tour commenced, with Sam and Matt now living in the UK and wanting a more stable life style they both opt out of touring
2007 –Animosity is recorded by Jay and Luke and the album is released through Earache Records, An album cover art comp was held and was won by French fan (Adrian)
2007 – Brand new members are added again, Todd Hanson (Drums), Martin Bermheden (Guitars), Damo Palmer (Bass) and Ed Lacey (Guitars) are added to the line up
2008 - First New Zealand shows played
2008 – “Berzerker Industries” created from sheer frustration. Work begins on “The Reawakening” a Re mix comp is held for new album with 2 remixes from the public being added to the new album, 4 official remixes are added to album, Direct mail order only sales are commenced, Adrian (Art winner from Animosity) does art for “The Reawakening”, UK tours added, Festival dates in UK and Europe are added
2008 - Luke heads to Holland Plays DJ set at Ground Zero Festival and Previews 2 tracks from “The Reawakening”
