Acheron (band)

Acheron

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1988 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Founder	Vincent Crowley
Defunct	2019
Headquarters	Pittsburgh , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Vincent Crowley
Products	Death metal, black metal music

Acheron () was a death and black metal ensemble originating from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established in 1988 by Vincent Crowley. The band's moniker is inspired by the mythic Acheron river, located in the Greek underworld. It is distinct from other groups named Acheron based in Australia and Europe.

History

Vincent Crowley, who previously played with Nocturnus and led the Satanic youth organization "Order of the Evil Eye," founded Acheron. Their lyrical themes mainly revolve around Satanism and anti-Christian sentiments. Early releases included spoken word segments performed by Peter H. Gilmore. Crowley was ordained as a priest by Anton Szandor LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, and took part in televised debates against televangelists, which temporarily slowed the band's production. Eventually, he parted ways with the church to pursue independent activities.

In 2003, the band issued Tribute to the Devil's Music, an album featuring covers of influential metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Kreator, and Celtic Frost.

On April 26, 2010, Crowley declared that Acheron had disbanded. Nevertheless, they reformed later that same year on December 27. The group ultimately ceased activity again in 2019, with Crowley concentrating on underground ventures thereafter.

Members

• Vincent Crowley – Guitar (1988–1991, 1996–1998, 2008), Vocals (1991–2019), Bass (1991–2019, 2025-)
• Art Taylor – Guitar (2009–2010, 2012–2019)
• Eric Stewart – Guitar (2024-)
• Cody Johns – Drums (2017–2018, 2025-)

Vocals

• Michael Smith – Vocals (1988–1990)
• Rhiannon Wisniewski – Vocals (2002)

Guitars

• Belial Koblak – Guitar (1989–1991)
• Pete Slate – Guitar (1991–1992)
• Tony Blakk – Guitar (1992, 1994–1995)
• Vincent Breeding – Guitar (1992, 1994–1995)
• Trebor Ladres – Guitar (1994–1995)
• Michael Estes – Guitar (1996–1999, 2001–2004)
• Bryan Hipp – Guitar (1998; deceased 2006)
• Ben Meyer – Guitar (1998)
• Bill Taylor – Guitar (1999)
• Stacey Connolly – Guitar (2004)
• Max Otworth – Guitar (2006–2012)
• Ash Thomas – Guitar (2008–2009)
• Eric Stewart – Guitar (2010)

Bass

• David Smith – Bass (1988–1991)
• Troy Heffern – Bass (1996)

Keyboards

• Peter H. Gilmore – Keyboards (1988–1989)
• John Scott – Keyboards (1996–1999)
• Adina Blase – Keyboards (1998–1999)
• Aaron Werner – Keyboards (2001–2005)

Drums

• James Strauss – Drums (1988–1989, 1989–1992)
• Ron Hogue – Drums (1989)
• Robert Orr – Drums (1991)
• Michael Browning – Drums (1992, 1994–1995)
• Joe Oliver – Drums (1995)
• Richard Christy – Drums (1996–1998)
• Tony Laureano – Drums (1998)
• Jonathan Lee – Drums (1998–1999)
• Daniel Zink – Drums (2001)
• Kyle Severn – Drums (2002–2014)
• Scott Pletcher – Drums (2010)

Discography

• Messe Noir (Demo, 1989)
• Rites of the Black Mass (1991; reissued 2006)
• Alla Xul (7", Demo, 1992)
• Rites of the Black Mass (Turbo, 1992)
• Hail Victory (CD, Metal Merchant, 1993)
• Satanic Victory (CD, Turbo, 1994)
• Lex Talionis (CD, Turbo, 1994; re-released as Lex Talionis: Satanic Victory, Blackened, 1997)
• Anti-God, Anti-Christ (CD, Moribund, 1996)
• Those Who Have Risen (CD, Full Moon Productions, 1998)
• Compendium Diablerie: The Demo Days (CD, Full Moon Productions, 2001)
• Xomaly (2002)
• Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood (CD, Black Lotus, 2003)
• Tribute to the Devil's Music (CD, Black Lotus, 2003)
• The Final Conflict: Last Days of God (CD, Displeased Records, 2009)
• Kult Des Hasses (CD, Listenable Records, 2014)

External links

• Official site via Internet Archive
• Acheron profile on Rockdetector through Internet Archive
• Rivadavia, Eduardo "[ Acheron – Rebirth: Metamorphosing Into Godhood]" (album critique), Allmusic
• Interview with Acheron, Metal Message
• Interview with Acheron, Voices From the Darkside