Diabolic - Subterraneal Magnitude [digipack] (2001)

The earliest beginnings of Diabolic started in 1996, when drummer Aantar Coates (Exmortis, Horror of Horrors, Unholy Ghost, Blastmasters) teamed up with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (Pessimist, Unholy Ghost, Possessed) to record the first 4-song Diabolic demo. Although this demo was never officially released, and sent only to select contacts in the underground, it marked the beginning of success to follow for the band.

By January 1997, Diabolic drummer/founder Aantar Coates had relocated to Tampa, Florida and after forming the first complete lineup, recorded and released the successful demo City of the Dead. This demo 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, Florida followed by Milwaukee Metalfest XII. The lineup was soon solidified to include Aantar Coates on drums, Paul Ouellette on lead guitar 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 Morrisound Recording Studios in Tampa and featured the artwork of Joe Petagno (Motörhead, 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 recorded their second full-length album Subterraneal Magnitude, again released on Conquest/Hammerheart Records. Produced by Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez (Morbid Angel, Terrorizer), this album 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, Cradle of Filth, Acheron) on lead guitars. It once again featured the art of Joe Petagno.

Diabolic was soon enlisted for the "Death Metal Massacre Tour 2000", opening for Cannibal Corpse, God Dethroned and Hate Eternal, playing to sold-out venues for four weeks, all across the USA. In 2001, Diabolic was honored to be chosen for the prestigious Metal Maniacs "Xmass Ball Tour 2001", opening for Enslaved and Macabre (which included a one-off with Lacuna Coil), followed by a 3-week North American Tour of the U.S. and Canada, supporting Marduk and Amon Amarth. Later that same year, Diabolic was hand-picked to open several dates across the southern U.S. with death metal pioneers Morbid Angel. 

In 2002, Diabolic signed to Century Media/Olympic Records and surpassed all earlier releases with their third 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 U.S. 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 2002 Diabolic made their European debut, for a month-long tour of 10 countries in support of Behemoth, Deströyer 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. 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, but without the trademark Diabolic of the past it garnered lackluster reviews. The band had even secured an opening slot on Deicide's upcoming U.S. Tour, but soon after the album's release, it was announced that the band was being dissolved permanently. It seemed that this would be the end of Diabolic. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Tracklist:

 1.     Vassago     03:14       instrumental
2.     Forewarning     00:11       instrumental
3.     Extinction Level Event     03:58
4.     Failed Extraction     03:12
5.     Deadly Deception     03:06
6.     Fleshcraft     05:13
7.     Infernalism     03:37
8.     Diabolic Perception     02:46
9.     Soul Projection     04:00
10.     Necromancer of the Ancient Arts     04:42
11.     Subterraneal Magnitude     04:04

38:03

 

Line up: 

• Aantar Lee Coates : Drums
• Brian Malone : Guitars
• Paul Ouellette : Vocals, Bass
• Bryan Hipp (R.I.P. 2006) : Guitars.

 

 

 

 Label: Hammerheart Records. HHR101.

This album is dedicated to the memory of Austin "Auggie" May, Eternal Friend of Diabolic.

- Issued in digipak packaging with twelve-page booklet.

- Recorded June 3-7, 2000 at Green House FX Studios, Tampa, FL.
- Mastered at Dixie Wrecked Studios, Mango, FL.

 

 

Bryan Hipp

 

 Bryan Hipp (January 22, 1968 – October 21, 2006) was an extreme metal guitarist. He played in the bands Brutality (1993–1995), Cradle of Filth (1994–1995), Acheron (1998), Unholy Ghost, Diabolic (1999) and Blastmasters.

He was one of the many people to assume the live role of the fictional "Jared Demeter" during his time with Cradle of Filth; after leaving the band, he was replaced by Paul McGlone.

Hipp died on October 21, 2006.