Discordance Axis
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Jon Chang |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | East Brunswick, New Jersey , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, compilations, videos |
Discordance Axis was a grindcore group originating from East Brunswick, New Jersey, established in 1991. Their lyrical content often explored themes such as personal turmoil, science fiction, comic book narratives, anime, and literary works.
History
The band began in 1991 under the name Sedition, founded by Jon Chang who enlisted guitarist Rob Marton and drummer Dave Witte. Without a bassist, they rebranded as Discordance Axis in 1992. The band was known for rarely appearing in photographs or performing live shows. Guitarist Steve Procopio occasionally joined them on stage and contributed guitar parts to the Necropolitan EP released in 1997. Their third and final studio album, The Inalienable Dreamless, arrived in 2000 and garnered widespread critical praise.
In April 2001, Discordance Axis revealed that Rob Marton was leaving due to significant ear damage, which led to the group's dissolution. Their last concert took place at CBGB on May 13, 2001, with Procopio stepping in on guitar. Following the breakup, Jon Chang went on to create Gridlink in 2004, while Dave Witte gained recognition for drumming with bands including Human Remains, Black Army Jacket, Burnt by the Sun, and Municipal Waste. In 2019, Chang and Marton reunited for No One Knows What the Dead Think, releasing their debut album via Willowtip Records.
Style
Starting with influences rooted in Napalm Death-style grindcore, Discordance Axis developed a unique musical identity. Guitarist Robert Marton blended technical proficiency with dissonant tones, enhanced by inventive overdubbing that enriched melodic elements. Drummer Dave Witte incorporated intricate rolls, fills, and tempo variations that extended beyond conventional grindcore blast beats. Vocalist Jon Chang delivered a mix of high-pitched screams and deep growls, with lyrics drawing inspiration from novels and anime series. Remarkably, the band operated without a bassist and typically issued their main albums in DVD cases containing detailed liner notes that surpassed the printed lyrics.
Current members
- Jon Chang – vocals (Gridlink, Hayaino Daisuki, No One Knows What the Dead Think)
- Rob Marton – guitar (No One Knows What the Dead Think)
- Dave Witte – drums (Burnt by the Sun, Human Remains, Municipal Waste, Melt-Banana, Deny the Cross, Birds of Prey, Phantomsmasher)
Former members
- Steve Procopio – guitar (1997–1998, 2001)
- Rob Proctor – drums (1995)
Studio albums
- Ulterior (1995), Devour/Pulp Records
- Jouhou (1997), Hydra Head Records
- The Inalienable Dreamless (2000), Hydra Head Records
EPs
- split with Cosmic Hurse (1992), Pulp Records
- split with Hellchild (1993), HG Fact
- split with Capitalist Casualties (1994), Pulp Records
- split with Def Master (1994), HG Fact
- split with Melt-Banana (1995), HG Fact
- split with Plutocracy (1995), Slap a Ham Records
- Necropolitan (1997), HG Fact
- split with Corrupted and 324 (2001), HG Fact
Compilations
- Original Sound Version 1992–1995 (1998), released by Devour Records
- The Inalienable Dreamless Perfect Version Box Set (2000), independently issued
- Our Last Day (2005), distributed through Hydra Head Records
Videos
- 7.62mm (1997), independently produced
- Pikadourei (2002), released via Hydra Head Records