Acrimony (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Swansea , Wales, United Kingdom |
| Products | Heavy metal music, Stoner metal |
Acrimony was a heavy metal group hailing from Swansea, Wales, active during the 1990s. They debuted with their first album in 1994 and are widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the UK stoner metal genre, leaving a lasting impact on the music scene.
Career
Although mainstream commercial success eluded them, Acrimony garnered significant critical praise, including a nomination for the Kerrang! Best Newcomer accolade and consistently high review scores. Their sophomore release, Tumuli Shroomaroom, earned a perfect five-K rating from Kerrang!. Over time, the band cultivated a devoted cult fanbase within the British metal community, with original pressings of their albums becoming sought-after collector’s items. According to AllMusic, their sound combines heavy metal riffs with elements of space rock and psychedelic feedback to create a powerful musical experience. In 2019, Kerrang! highlighted Acrimony as one of "20 bands who didn't get the respect they deserved."
Post split
After disbanding in 1999, Stu O'Hara became a member of Iron Monkey before co-founding the Dukes of Nothing alongside former members of Iron Monkey and Orange Goblin. Lee 'Roy' established the Swansea-based crust and power violence outfit Black Eye Riot with Stu and Dorian. Darren and Mead formed the band 9ine, while Mead also explored electronic music through his trance project Yeti. Lee 'Roy' is currently active in the heavy metal band Lifer. In 2008, Stu, Mead, Darren, and Dorian reunited under the name Sigiriya, releasing Return to Earth in 2011 and Darkness Died Today in 2013 with new frontman Matt "Pipes" Williams. Lee 'Roy' launched Woven Man, debuting their first album Revelry (In Our Arms) in January 2019.
In November 2019, Dutch label Burning World Records issued remastered versions of Acrimony’s three albums—Hymns to the Stone, Tumuli Shroomaroom, and Bong On - Live Long!—compiled into a 3CD digipack edition.
Band members
- Dorian "Dexter" Walters – vocals
- Stuart O'Hara – guitar
- Matthew Lee "Roy" Davies – guitar
- Paul "Mead" Bidmead – bass
- Darren Ivey – drums
Former members
- David "Dai" Jones – bass
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Hymns to the Stone | Godhead Records | First studio album |
| 1997 | Tumuli Shroomaroom | Peaceville Records | Reissued in 2007 by Leaf Hound Records |
| 2007 | Bong On - Live Long! | Leaf Hound Records | Compilation release |
| 2019 | The Chronicles of Wode | Burning World Records | Remastered 3CD digipack featuring all three albums |
EPs and Singles
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | A Sombre Thought | None | Self-released EP |
| 1993 | Solstice Sadness | Shiver Records | EP release |
| 1995 | The Acid Elephant | Godhead Records | EP later included on Bong On - Live Long! |
| 1996 | Motherslug | Game Two Records | Split single with Iron Rainbow |
| 2003 | Acrimony/Church of Misery | Game Two Records | Split EP with Church of Misery; featured on Bong On - Live Long! |
Compilation appearances
- 1996 – "Earthchild Inferno" featured on Dark Passages Volume II, also included on Bong On - Live Long!
- 1997 – "Bud Song" included in Burn One Up
- 1998 – "Find The Path" featured on Stoned Revolution
- 1998 – "O Baby" appearing on Peaceville X, later included on Bong On - Live Long!
- 1999 – "Tumuli Shroomaroom" featured on Rise 13: Magick Rock Volume 1
- 2001 – "Satellite 19" included on 21st Century Media Blitz Volume II