Asphyx
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 in Oldenzaal, Overijssel, Netherlands |
| Founder | Bob Bagchus, Tony Brookhuis |
| Headquarters | Oldenzaal , Netherlands |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Martin van Drunen (vocalist) |
| Products | Death metal music, albums, live performances |
Asphyx is a death metal group originating from Oldenzaal, Overijssel, Netherlands, established in 1987 by Bob Bagchus and Tony Brookhuis. Since 2014, none of the founding members remain active; the sole long-standing member appearing on their first album is vocalist Martin van Drunen.
History
Bob Bagchus and Tony Brookhuis founded Asphyx in 1987, initially featuring Joost on vocals and bass. After their debut demo Carnage Remains, Chuck Colli took over those roles. This formation produced the Enter the Domain demo, with Eric Daniels joining as a second guitarist. In 1989, Theo Loomans replaced Colli, leading to the recording of the Crush the Cenotaph demo. Following Brookhuis’s exit, the remaining trio recorded Embrace the Death, an album whose release was postponed due to complications with their record label.
After parting ways with Pestilence, Martin van Drunen became Asphyx’s vocalist. The band secured a deal with Century Media Records, releasing their debut album The Rack. In 1992, they toured Europe alongside Entombed, Bolt Thrower, and Benediction. Van Drunen left after completing their second album, Last One on Earth, and was succeeded by Ron van der Pol. At the same time, Bagchus departed and was replaced by drummer Sander van Hoof.
In 1994, Asphyx released their third album, self-titled Asphyx, before disbanding. The band reunited in 1995 with Loomans and Bagchus to produce God Cries. Around this period, the previously shelved Embrace the Death finally saw release. The group dissolved once more following Loomans’s death in 1998. Subsequently, Bagchus and Daniels collaborated with Wannes Gubbels from Pentacle to form Soulburn, releasing Feeding on Angels. In 1999, Asphyx was revived with the same lineup for On the Wings of Inferno, disbanding again in 2000.
In January 2007, Asphyx reassembled featuring van Drunen, Gubbels, Paul Baayens, and Bagchus, initially concentrating on live performances. By January 2008, they recorded a Celtic Frost cover alongside a new song titled "Death...The Brutal Way". The album sharing this name was released in June 2009 through Century Media and later in North America by Ibex Moon Records in August 2009, becoming that label’s top-selling release.
On 30 November 2011, Asphyx completed recording their eighth studio album, Deathhammer, which was released in February 2012 via Century Media Records.
In March 2014, founding drummer Bob Bagchus exited the band, leaving no original members active; Stefan Hüskens took over drumming duties.
On 14 October 2015, Asphyx announced plans to begin work on a new album following Deathhammer and revealed intentions for their inaugural tour across Latin America.
Current members
- Martin van Drunen – vocals (1990–1992, 2007–present), bass (1990–1992)
- Paul Baayens – guitar (2007–present)
- Alwin Zuur – bass (2010–present)
- Stefan Hüskens – drums (2014–present)
Former members
- Tony Brookhuis – guitar (1987–1989)
- Bob Bagchus – drums (1987–1993, 1995–1996, 1997–2000, 2007–2014)
- Eric Daniels – guitar (1989–1995, 1996, 1997–2000)
- Joost – vocals, bass (1987–1988)
- Chuck Colli – vocals, bass (1988–1989)
- Theo Loomans – vocals, bass, guitar (1989–1990, 1995–1996; died 1998)
- Ron van Pol – vocals, bass (1992–1994)
- Sander van Hoof – drums (1993–1994)
- Heiko Hanke – keyboards (1994)
- Ronny van der Wey – guitar (1988–1989, 1995)
- Wannes Gubbels – bass, vocals (1997–2000, 2007–2010)
Studio Albums
- The Rack (1991)
- Last One on Earth (1992)
- Asphyx (1994)
- God Cries (1996)
- Embrace the Death (1996; recorded in 1990)
- On the Wings of Inferno (2000)
- Death...The Brutal Way (2009)
- Deathhammer (2012)
- Incoming Death (2016)
- Necroceros (2021)
Live Albums
- Live Death Doom (2010; double live album and DVD)
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Crush the Cenotaph (1992)
- Servants of Death (2016)
Singles
- Mutilating Process (1989)
- Death the Brutal Way (2008)
- Reign of the Brute (2012)
- Deathibel (2016)
Demos
- Carnage Remains (1988)
- Enter the Domain (1989)
- Crush the Cenotaph (1989)
- Promo '91 (1991)
- Promo '95 (1995)