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Chicago death metal band Oppressor was formed in 1991 by bassist/vocalist Tim King and guitarist Adam Zadel, who went on to add guitarist Jim Stopper and drummer Tom Schofield. They quickly recorded a demo tape, World Abomination, but it was their second, As Blood Flows, that got them signed to Red Light Records in 1993.

Oppressor's official debut album, Solstice of Oppression, was released the following year, and the band embarked on a heavy touring schedule in support. Unfortunately, Red Light went bankrupt and Oppressor compiled European Oppression Live + As Blood Flows from their concert tapes (and early demo), which was put out by Megalithic and kept their name in the public eye.

Eventually, they caught on with Olympic, which released their second studio album Agony in 1996; featuring more structured compositions and improved production, it became the group's breakthrough, expanding their audience and netting the opening slot on Cannibal Corpse's American tour.

Follow-up album Elements of Corrosion appeared in 1998, by which time Adam Zadel, Tim King, and Tom Schofield were performing in a Hard Rock side project called Soil, and then Jim Stopper later went on to join the progressive thrash band Twelfth Gate. By 1999, Soil had become a successful full-time venture, spelling the end of Oppressor and leaving a legacy of innovative music still to be enjoyed and appreciated to this day.

Discography:

World Abomination
Demo, 1991

As Blood Flows
Demo, 1992

Solstice Of Oppression
Full-length, 1994

Valley Of Thorns
2 song 7" record, 1994

European Oppression Live / As Blood Flows EP
Full-length, 1995

Agony
Full-length, 1996

Elements of Corrosion
Full-length, 1998