Broken Hope
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Death metal music, studio albums |
Broken Hope is a death metal group originating from Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.
History
Established in 1988, Broken Hope gained recognition for their mid-tempo death metal sound characterized by deep growling vocals. Over a span of approximately twelve years, they produced five studio albums released between 1991 and 1999.
The founding members were Joe Ptacek (vocals), Jeremy Wagner (rhythm guitar), Brian Griffin (lead guitar), and Ryan Stanek (drums). After securing a deal with Grindcore/RedLight Label, they launched their first album, Swamped in Gore, which was often likened to the debut of Death, Scream Bloody Gore.
Subsequently, Metal Blade Records signed the band and issued their sophomore album, The Bowels of Repugnance, in 1993. Their third release, Repulsive Conception (1995), along with the fourth, Loathing (1997), both achieved placements on CMJ New Music Monthly's Metal Top 25 chart. The album Loathing explored subjects such as political oppression and necrophilia.
In 1999, Broken Hope transitioned to the independent label Martyr Records to release their fifth album titled Grotesque Blessings. This record marked the final contribution of vocalist Joe Ptacek. By April 2002, Jeremy Wagner confirmed that the band had disbanded following a period of inactivity.
Wagner later attributed the breakup to internal conflicts within the band and insufficient support from Metal Blade in Europe. In 2007, he disclosed that the members had reunited after five years to discuss a possible comeback.
Vocalist Joe Ptacek tragically died by suicide on January 20, 2010, at the age of 37.
In 2012, the band reformed with original members Shaun Glass and Jeremy Wagner returning, accompanied by new additions Mike Miczek and Damian Leski. They embarked on a North American tour alongside Obituary, Decrepit Birth, Jungle Rot, and Encrust.
Their sixth studio album, Omen of Disease, was released on September 27, 2013 through Century Media Records.
Former drummer Ryan Stanek died from a heart attack on March 1, 2015, aged 42.
Broken Hope's seventh album, titled Mutilated and Assimilated, was issued on June 23, 2017.
Current members
- Jeremy Wagner – rhythm guitar (1988–2001, 2012–present)
- Damian Leski – vocals (2012–present)
- Mike Miczek – drums (2012–present)
- Matt Szlachta – lead guitar (2014–present)
- Diego Soria – bass (2014–present)
Former members
- Joe Ptacek – vocals (1988–2001; deceased 2010)
- Ryan Stanek – drums (1988–1997; deceased 2015)
- Ed Hughes – bass (1988–1994)
- Dave Duff – lead guitar (1988–1990)
- Brian Griffin – lead guitar (1991–2001)
- Shaun Glass – bass (1995–1998, 2012–2014)
- Duane Timlin – drums (1997–1998)
- Brian Hobbie – bass (1999–2001)
- Sean Baxter – drums (1999–2001)
- Chuck Wepfer – lead guitar (2012–2014)
Session members
- Ryan Schimmenti – bass (1999)
- Mike Zwicke – bass (1999)
- Larry DeMumbrum – drums (1999)
Albums
- Swamped in Gore (1991)
- The Bowels of Repugnance (1993)
- Repulsive Conception (1995)
- Loathing (1997)
- Grotesque Blessings (1999)
- Omen of Disease (2013)
- Mutilated and Assimilated (2017)
EPs
- Hobo Stew (1993)
Additional Releases
- Live Disease (2015)
Demo Recordings
- Broken Hope (1990)
- Demo 2 (1990)
- Demo '93 (1993)