Psychopomps (band)

Psychopomps
Also known asAlto Relievo
OriginDenmark
GenresElectro-industrial
Years active1990 – 1997
2005 – present
LabelsZoth Ommog, Cleopatra, Slop Pail, Infacted
MembersJesper Schmidt
Flemming Norre Larsen
Past membersKaare Mogensen

Psychopomps is an electro-industrial band from Denmark formed by Jesper Schmidt and Flemming Norre Larsen.[1] They were signed to Zoth Ommog Records[2] in the early 1990s followed by Cleopatra Records.[3] Their early records were recorded at Strip Studios by their close friend and label mate, Claus Larsen of Leaether Strip.

History

Larsen and Schmidt met as schoolmates during their youth. In their teens they were drawn to bands like Depeche Mode, but then came into contact with industrial and EBM music when they saw Nitzer Ebb open for Depeche Mode on tour. These formed some of their earliest influences alongside Wax Trax! label bands like Revolting Cocks and Ministry.[4]

They soon began to experiment with making music and came into possession of two Moog synthesizers bought secondhand from Claus Larsen of Leaether Strip, who they had met at a record store where he was working at the time. Larsen and Schmidt created their first 4-track recording under the name Alto Relievo, but subsequently changed their name to Psychopomps after reading "The Dark Half" by author Stephen King.[4]

The only notable line-up change was the addition of Kaare Mogensen as a guitarist for the recording of Fiction Non-Fiction in 1997.[4] The band appeared defunct after the release of Fiction Non-Fiction, but has created a Myspace page with new content as well as old and unreleased songs.[5]

In 2014, Infacted Recordings released a retrospective compilation of the band's work titled Infection Start 90.[6]

Discography

Albums

  • Assassins DK United – (1992, Zoth Ommog Records; 1994, Cleopatra Records)
  • Pro-Death Ravers – (1993, Zoth Ommog, Cleopatra)
  • Six Six Six Nights in Hell – (1995, Zoth Ommog; 1996, Cleopatra)
  • Fiction Non-Fiction – (1997, Zoth Ommog)

Singles & EPs

  • More DK – (1991, 12"/EPCD, Slop Pail Records)
  • "Godshit" – (1992, 12"/MCD, Zoth Ommog)
  • In The Skin – (1994, EPCD, Slop Pail; 1995, EPCD, Cleopatra)

Compilations

  • First Blood – (1995, Zoth Ommog; 1996, Cleopatra)
  • The Best Of – (2000, Cleopatra)
  • Infection Start 90 – (2014, Infacted Recordings)

Soundtrack

  • Saw – (2004, song "Wonderful World")
  • Diamond Cartel – (2017, song "The Slaughter")

References

  1. ^ Laciak, Ric (Spring 1993). Valerio, Paul (ed.). "Leæther Strip". Industrial Nation. 1 (7). Iowa City, IA: Moon Mystique: 9–12. ISSN 1062-449X.
  2. ^ "Zoth Ommog". Discogs. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Cleopatra". Discogs. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Hampejs, Yuma; Schulze, Marcel (2024). Electronic Body Music (English Edition). Lüdersdorf, Germany: Mionætti. pp. 276–277. ISBN 9783000785245.
  5. ^ "Psychopomps - Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Infacted Records remembers Psychopomps". Peek-A-Boo Music Magazine. 5 Aug 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2024.