ATHEIST are considered the architects of the technical death metal genre. Alongside bands such as DEATH and later CYNIC, they would together define a sound that is a pillar of heavy music intensity and musical prowess – progressive technical death metal.

Originally forming as a thrash metal act called Oblivion, then later becoming R.A.V.A.G.E, the band were a product of the highly active Florida death/thrash metal scene in the mid to late 80’s. During this time the founding members – guitarist / vocalist Kelly Shaefer, drummer Steve Flynn, bassist Roger Patterson and second guitarist Rand Burkey would develop into ATHEIST. In 1988 the band entered the renowned Morrisound Studio with producer Scott Burns to record its first full-length album. The studio is recognized for some of the most groundbreaking death metal albums of the late 80’s and early 90’s by iconic acts such as SEPULTURA, OBITUARY, MALEVOLENT CREATION and DEATH and ATHEIST would also add a genre defining contribution. The result would be the groundbreaking debut ‘PIECE OF TIME’.

Recognized for its intensity and heightened level of musicianship it was an album that created something outstanding from the newly developing death metal scene. While many bands of the time were creating a sound that had pushed thrash metal to a new extreme, forging the death metal sound, ATHEIST delivered an album that captured those elements but raised the quality of musicianship and pushed further the scope of composition. ‘PIECE OF TIME’ was met with outstanding reviews by heavy music media and bands of the era.  By this stage ATHEIST were sharing the stage with leading acts such as TESTAMENT, VIO-LENCE, DEATH ANGEL, NAPALM DEATH, EXODUS, MORBID ANGEL and FORBIDDEN. Unfortunately, at a time when the bands profile and international recognition was growing, tragedy would strike.

Following a US tour with CANDLEMASS in 1991, the band were involved in an accident in which bass guitarist Roger Patterson died. For the band and heavy music community the loss of the 22-year-old bass player was tragic, however, his mark on bringing the instrument to a more individualized and recognized element of heavy music continues to this day. Another incredibly talented bass guitarist, Tony Choy, who previously worked with a band that also played a significant part in creating the technical death metal sound, CYNIC, would later replace Patterson after some time.

ATHEIST returned to Morrisound Studio with Scott Burns to record its second full-length album ‘UNQUESTIONABLE PRESENCE’ in 1991. The album proved what the band was capable of, reaching new heights and confirming ATHEIST as a unique act in the heavy music industry. ATHEIST was a band not only capable of intensity and stunning musical prowess, but also one of color and up to then never before seen ambition. The album created an exciting opportunity for the genre to grow and develop a path that diverted into new territories, differing from the unrelenting intensity that was being forged by bands such as SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE and GORGUTS at that time. The band would follow with its third album ‘ELEMENTS’ in 1993. While the band continued to push boundaries, ATHEIST soon after disbanded.

Modern tech death metal bands such as NECROPHAGIST, OBSCURA, GOROD, FALLUJAH and RIVERS OF NIHIL are the product of the sound that ATHEIST created. As such the bands impact on the genre is not only pioneering and path defining, it is also ongoing. ATHEIST released its first album in 17 years in 2010, returning with ‘JUPITER’. The album displayed all the elements that the band are recognized for.

2019 saw the reformation of ATHEIST with a new line-up that strived to reintroduce ATHEIST to a new fan-base.  The new line-up hit the ground running, embarking on a South America tour alongside Death Metal titans SUFFOCATION and joining CATTLE DECAPITATION later in the year on a full length North American tour.   Following the pandemic the band joined SUFFOCATION for another North American tour solidifying their return and position in the Technical Metal realm.

In 2023 ATHEIST caught the eye and ear of metal label giant Nuclear Blast Records who reissued the bands entire catalog on vinyl and CD.  The debuted the newly revamped catalog on a North American tour alongside CYNIC, continuing to build a new fanbase and satisfy their existing one.  The band continued into 2024 appearing in Europe and the UK for the first time in over 15 years and continue to make high-profile festival appearances.

ATHEIST continue to forge forward working on new material with the new line-up that will continue to solidify the band and take back their standing as the original craftsman of the technical death metal genre.