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Based out of the Death Metal capital of the world, DIABOLIC formed in Tampa, FL with the intent to become extreme metal elite! The very earliest beginnings of the band started early in 1996, when drummer Aantar Coates (formerly of EXMORTIS, HORROR OF HORRORS) teamed up with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (PESSIMIST) to record the very first 4-song DIABOLIC Demo. Although this demo was never officially released and only sent to a few labels, it marked the beginning of something Evil...
 By January 1997, drummer/founder Aantar Coates had relocated to Tampa, FL and after forming the first complete DIABOLIC lineup, recorded and released the landmark demo "City of the Dead". This highly-successful demo, described by critics as "The Best Death Metal Demo Ever!", immediately got the band noticed in the worldwide underground press and was later released as MCD on Fadeless Records. By 1998, DIABOLIC made their debut live appearance opening for VADER in Tampa, FL and then Milwaukee Metalfest XII. The lineup was soon solidified to include Aantar Coates on Drums, Paul Ouellette on Lead Guitars and Vocals, Brian Malone on Lead Guitars, and Ed Webb on Bass.
 In 1999, DIABOLIC recorded their debut full length album "Supreme Evil". This CD, which was mastered at the legendary Morrisound Studios in Tampa, FL and featured the artwork of Joe Petagno (MOTORHEAD, MARDUK, KRISIUN), was released on Conquest/Hammerheart Records and received a multitude of excellent reviews and established an enormous international underground following for the band. More live shows soon followed, and the band continued gaining notoriety and writing for their next release.
 The following year in 2000, DIABOLIC forged their 2nd full length album "Subterraneal Magnitude", again released on Conquest/Hammerheart Records. Produced by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez (MORBID ANGEL, TERRORIZER), this over-the-top destructive force expanded the unique DIABOLIC sound to new extremes. By this time, Vocalist Paul Ouellette had switched to Bass, and the band had recruited Brian Hipp (BRUTALITY, ACHERON) on Lead Guitars. Again featuring the art of Joe Petagno, it was clear that DIABOLIC were destined for success.
Soon after, DIABOLIC were enlisted to support the "Death Metal Massacre Tour 2000" with CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOD DETHRONED and HATE ETERNAL, playing to sold out venues across North America for four weeks. In 2001, DIABOLIC were honored to be chosen to tour with MARDUK and AMON AMARTH, followed by the prestigious METAL MANIACS "Xmass Ball Tour 2001" with ENSLAVED and MACABRE (which included a one-off with LACUNA COIL). That same year, DIABOLIC were hand-picked to tour several US dates with Death Metal pioneers MORBID ANGEL.
 In 2002, DIABOLIC signed to Century Media/Olympic Records and surpassed all earlier releases with their 3rd breakthrough CD, "Vengeance Ascending". Once again produced by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez, this devastating attack redefined extreme metal in a relentless onslaught of anger, vengeance, and victory. Again this CD featured the art of Joe Petagno, and new Lead Guitarist recruit Jerry Mortellaro. The band then departed on a month-long, sold-out US Tour supporting DIMMU BORGIR, CRYPTOPSY, and KRISIUN, further solidifying the band as one of the underground's most ferocious upcoming Death Metal acts. In November of 2002 DIABOLIC made their European debut, for a month-long tour of 10 countries in support of BEHEMOTH, DESTROYER 666, and DEICIDE.
 By 2003, and after the European Tour, the band had gone through several major lineup changes. Gone was the original lineup, who had all been replaced by temporary musicians. Led by sole remaining original member Brian Malone, the band recorded their fourth full-length CD, "Infinity Through Purification". Produced by Neil Kernon (CANNIBAL CORPSE, NILE, JUDAS PRIEST) and released on Century Media Records, this album had great potential, but without the trademark DIABOLIC sound that the band had developed, mostly garnered lackluster reviews. The band had even secured an opening slot on DEICIDE's upcoming US Tour, but soon after the album's release, Brian announced that the band was being dissolved permanently. It seemed that this would be the end of DIABOLIC.
Meanwhile, DIABOLIC original members Aantar Cotes (Drums), Paul Ouellette (Vocals, Bass) along with guitarists Kelly McLauchlin (PESSIMIST) and Jerry Mortellaro (also formerly of DIABOLIC) had joined together to form a new band, UNHOLY GHOST. The band signed to Century Media/Olympic Recs, and released the blistering debut CD, "Torrential Reign", produced by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez (MORBID ANGEL, TERRORIZER). The band recorded a video for "Under Existence" which was released on DVD through Century Media Europe. A flood of positive reviews, interviews and radio airplay soon followed, establishing UNHOLY GHOST as leaders amongst the newest generation of bands in the Black/Death Metal underground. The band went on to play several hi-profile fests such as "Sun 'n' Steel" Fla Metalfest, Snakenet.com "Metal Nation" Fest 2003, Las Vegas Metalfest, and "Gathering of the Bestial Legions" Metalfest in L.A. Despite its apparent success, UNHOLY GHOST soon disbanded in 2005, and drummer Aantar Coates went on to form yet another new band, BLASTMASTERS.
 By 2006, and against all odds, DIABOLIC had re-formed. Amidst legal battles over the rights to use the name, original drummer Aantar Coates and parts of the BLASTMASTERS lineup along with UNHOLY GHOST/PESSIMIST Guitarist Kelly McLauchlin recorded their comeback EP, "Possessed By Death". Then in 2008, after re-enlisting original Bassist/Vocalist Paul Ouellette, the band recorded yet another new EP, "Chaos in Hell". Both EPs were recorded at DOW studios in Tampa, FL again with longtime producer Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez.
In 2008 DIABOLIC signed to Deathgasm Records, and released both EPs on one CD, "Chaos in Hell/Possessed by Death". The band has continued to play select live dates including Tampa, FL shows with MONSTROSITY and SIX FEET UNDER, plus festivals including "Gathering of the Bestial Legions III" Metalfest in Hollywood, CA, "Mayhem in May" 2008 and the 2009 Michigan Deathfest.
DIABOLIC is currently writing for the next full-length CD, with a re-vamped lineup that includes original members Aantar Coates (Drums), Paul Ouellette (Bass/Vocals), and Lead Guitarists Kelly McLauchlin (UNHOLY GHOST, PESSIMIST) and Jeff Parrish (BLASTMASTERS).
DIABOLIC Live! Michigan Deathfest 2009
(From left to right: Kelly, Paul, Aantar, Jeff)
Link to DIABOLIC @MySpace:
To order Official DIABOLIC Merchandise:
www.diabolic-deathmetal.com
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