Deadwater Drowning
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Brookline, New Hampshire , United States |
| Products | Deathcore music, EPs, demos |
Deadwater Drowning was a deathcore group originating from Brookline, New Hampshire, established in 2002. The band is particularly recognized for the significant impact its members had following their split in 2004, as they went on to join notable acts such as The Acacia Strain, The Red Chord, and Through the Eyes of the Dead. Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord has acknowledged Deadwater Drowning as a key influence in the creation of his label Black Market Activities, which was responsible for releasing the band’s only recorded material.
History
Formed in 2002 after the breakup of Chagrin, Deadwater Drowning sought to develop a sound that was both faster and heavier. They cultivated a regional fan base through performances across New England and completed a tour alongside The Red Chord, Premonitions of War, and The Black Dahlia Murder. When Guy Kozowyk was preparing to launch Black Market Activities, he chose their debut release as one of the label’s initial offerings.
Following the release of their self-titled EP, Deadwater Drowning maintained an active presence in their local scene, including an appearance at the fifth annual New England Metal and Hardcore Festival held in Worcester, Massachusetts. They also recorded an additional track titled "Slap Her Ass and Ride The Wave In," which was distributed digitally. Not long after these activities, the band dissolved; however, some members formed The Final Battle, a project that occasionally revisits Deadwater Drowning’s material. After disbanding, their EP saw a rise in critical acclaim and fan recognition.
Legacy
Despite their brief existence, members of Deadwater Drowning went on to contribute significantly to various influential hardcore punk and extreme metal bands. Vocalist Nate Johnson became involved with Buckhunter, Since the Flood, Burnt by the Sun, Premonitions of War, The Network, Fit For An Autopsy, and Through the Eyes of the Dead. Bassist Seth Coleman joined forces with Nate in groups including The Acacia Strain, Buckhunter, and Fit For An Autopsy. Along with guitarist Steve Whalen, Nate and Seth later collaborated to form The Final Battle.
Drummer Jon Dow and guitarist Jonny Fay were active members of The Red Chord. Additionally, Fay established Backyard Studios, where he engineered recordings for artists such as The Red Chord and labelmates Whitechapel under Metal Blade Records. Drummer Moe Watson contributed his talents to Shai Hulud, Marc Rizzo, War On Our Shores, Mercury Switch, Running With Karma before ultimately joining The Final Battle.
Musical style
Deadwater Drowning is widely regarded as one of the pioneering bands within the deathcore genre. Their music merges early 2000s East Coast metalcore with death metal influences, characterized by blast beats, heavy breakdowns, guttural death growls, and occasional melodic passages embedded within intricate song structures reminiscent of mathcore. This approach established a foundational template that influenced numerous subsequent deathcore bands—many of which share ties through former members of Deadwater Drowning.
Discography
- EPs
- 2003: Deadwater Drowning (Black Market Activities)
- Demo recordings
- 2002: Deadwater Drowning (independently released)
Band members
- Seth Coleman – bass guitar (2002–2004)
- Nate Johnson – lead vocals (2002–2004)
- Moe Watson – drums (2003)
- Steve Whalen – guitar (2003–2004)
Past members
- Jon Dow – drums (2002–2003)
- Johnny Fay – guitar (2002–2003)
Member timeline
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