Necromandus
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 in Egremont, Cumberland, England |
| Headquarters | Egremont , England |
| Products | Music albums |
Necromandus is a rock group originating from Egremont, Cumberland, England, established in 1970 and brought to wider attention by Tony Iommi, guitarist of Black Sabbath, in 1972. They produced a single album in 1973, which remained unreleased until 1999.
History
In 1968, musicians from two West Cumbrian bands—Jug and Heaven—came together to form a heavy progressive blues ensemble initially named Hot Spring Water. The band briefly adopted the name Taurus before settling on Necromandus, a suggestion made during a radio broadcast.
By 1972, following a period of extensive live performances but without any record releases, Tony Iommi took on the role of their manager. Early the following year, under his direction, the band recorded Orexis of Death at Morgan Studio in London, with Iommi contributing guitar work on the title track. Subsequently, they secured a contract with Vertigo Records and supported Black Sabbath and Tony Kaye’s Badger on tour. However, after guitarist Barry Dunnery departed in 1973, Vertigo decided to shelve the album.
Despite this obstacle, Necromandus retained respect within the music industry; notably, Ozzy Osbourne initially recruited their guitarist, bassist, and drummer for his Blizzard of Ozz venture. Dennis McCarten, Barry Dunnery, and Frank Hall formed part of Osbourne’s original Blizzard of Ozz lineup in 1977.
Following this period, Dunnery and Hall established the cover band Nerves; Dunnery also joined Violinski—an ELO offshoot—in 1976. Both musicians had brief stints with Hammerhead, a band associated with the new wave of British heavy metal.
Among the founding members, only Frank Hall remains alive. Dennis McCarten passed away in 2004 at age 54; Barry Dunnery succumbed to cancer in 2008 aged 56; Bill Branch died in 1995 at age 45.
In 2016, Necromandus reunited with an updated lineup to produce an album derived from recordings made in 1975, which was released in 2017.
Style
Melody Maker once described Necromandus as "the second Sabbath" infused with a prog influence, comparing them to "a sort of Black Sabbath playing Yes' greatest hits." Their musical approach incorporates elements of hard rock, heavy metal, proto-metal, progressive blues, doom metal, art rock, folk jazz, and progressive rock. This eclectic blend carved out a distinct niche for them within the heavy music landscape of the 1970s and contributed to shaping future doom metal artists.
Current members
- John Branch – vocals (2016–present)
- Dean Newton – guitar (2016–present)
- Paul Spedding – bass (2017–present)
- John Marcangelo – keyboards (2016–present)
- Frank Hall – drums (1970–1973, 2016–present)
Former members
- Bill Branch – vocals (1970–1973; died 1995)
- Barry Dunnery – guitar (1970–1973; died 2008)
- Dennis McCarten – bass (1970–1973; died 2004)
Discography
- Quicksand Dream (1991, alternate version of Orexis of Death)
- Orexis of Death (1999, recorded in 1973)
- Necrothology (best-of compilation, 2005)
- Live (2005)
- Orexis of Death Plus... (reissue, 2005)
- Orexis of Death / Live (reissue, 2010)
- Necromandus (2017)
Bibliography
- Christe, Ian (2003). Sound of the Beast: The Definitive Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. HarperCollins.