Channel Zero (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Brussels , Belgium |
| Products | Groove metal, thrash metal music |
| Website | www |
Channel Zero is a groove and thrash metal band originating from Brussels, Belgium, established in 1990. Esteemed as one of the foremost heavy metal groups in Belgium, they initially disbanded in 1997 during their peak years but reunited in 2009, leading to a series of concerts beginning in 2010.
History
The band launched their career with the self-titled album Channel Zero in 1992, followed by Stigmatized for Life in 1993, which was mixed by Vinnie Paul of Pantera. Their significant rise came with the release of Unsafe in 1994, which included guest appearances by Billy Milano (S.O.D.) and Richard 23 (Front 242). Their final studio effort before the first split was Black Fuel in 1996.
In 1997, Channel Zero parted ways, issuing a concluding live album titled Live, recorded at Marktrock festival in Leuven. After the breakup, lead vocalist Franky De Smet Van Damme created the band Skitsoy, while guitarist Xavier Carion formed Sons of Jonathas.
The group reunited for six concerts at Brussels' AB concert hall in 2010, with tickets selling out rapidly. In January of that year, they released the single "Black Flowers" and started producing new material. Channel Zero also performed at prominent festivals such as Graspop Metal Meeting (2010, 2011) and Rock Werchter (1995, 2010).
Drummer Phil Baheux died in August 2013. Following his passing, Roy Mayorga took on drumming duties as a session musician for their sixth studio album, Kill All Kings, which was released on 24 June via Metal Blade Records. After this release, Chris "Seven" Antonopoulos became the band's official drummer. In late 2017, Christophe Depree from Belgian metal act After All joined as a second guitarist.
On 23 October 2024, Channel Zero declared their intention to disband after performing a farewell concert scheduled for 12 December 2026.
Members
- Current members
- Franky De Smet-Van Damme – vocals (1990–1997, 2009–present)
- Tino De Martino – bass (1990–1997, 2009–present)
- Mikey Doling – lead guitar (2009–present)
- Seven Antonopoulos – drums (2014–present)
- Christophe Depree – rhythm guitar (2017–present)
- Former members
- Phil Baheux – drums (1990–1997, 2009–2013; died 2013)
- Xavier Carion – lead guitar (1990–1997)
- Patrice Hubloux – rhythm guitar (1990–1992; died 1995)
- Peter Iterbeke – rhythm guitar (1992–1993)
- Session members
- Roy Mayorga – drums (2013–2014)
- Timeline
Discography
Albums
- Channel Zero (Shark Records, 1992)
- Stigmatized for Life (Shark Records, 1993)
- Unsafe (Play It Again Sam, 1994)
- Black Fuel (Play It Again Sam, 1997)
- Feed 'Em with a Brick (Roadrunner Records, 2011)
- Kill All Kings (Metal Blade Records, 2014)
- Exit Humanity (Joint Venture Channel Zero, 2017)
Live albums
- Live (Play It Again Sam, 1997)
- Live at the Ancienne Belgique – CD + DVD (CNR Records / Roadrunner Records, 2010)
- Unplugged (2015)
EPs
- Suck My Energy (Play It Again Sam, 1995)
- Help (Play It Again Sam, 1995)
- Heroin (Play It Again Sam, 1995)
- Fool's Parade (Play It Again Sam, 1996)
Singles
- "Run W.T.T." (Play It Again Sam, 1995)
- "Call On Me" (Play It Again Sam, 1997)
- "Black Flowers" (Roadrunner Records, 2010)
- "Hot Summer" (Roadrunner Records, 2011)
- "Electronic Cocaine" (Metal Blade Records, 2014)
External links
- Official site
- Profile on AllMusic
- Artist page on Discogs