Atrocity (band)

Atrocity
Atrocity performs at the Kavarna Rock Fest in 2010
Background information
Origin	Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Genres	Technical death metal (early) Gothic metal Industrial metal Folk metal
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast, Roadrunner, Massacre, Motor, Napalm
Associated acts	Leaves' Eyes
Website	atrocity.de
Members	Alexander Krull Thorsten Bauer Sander van der Meer Joris Nijenhuis

Atrocity is a German heavy metal band from Ludwigsburg that formed in 1985.

First started in 1985 as Instigators and playing grindcore, Atrocity arose as a death metal band with their debut EP, Blue Blood, in 1989, followed soon by Hallucinations, a concept album about drug use. Their second album, Todessehnsucht ("longing for death"), ventured into death metal classics with a cover of "Archangel" by the band Death. Their musical scope broadened over the years, incorporating medieval and horror influences on their 1994 Dracula-based concept album Atrocity's Blut, (styled after the successful film Bram Stoker's Dracula). Atrocity's Blut was followed by Calling the Rain, an MCD with female vocals by guest singer Yasmin Krull and acoustic music.

The 1996 release Willenskraft introduced industrial elements, with the special bonus CD of the album's special edition (Kraft und Wille) including electronic remixes of the songs. The later releases were less and less metallic; Werk 80 featured versions of 1980s disco hits and the band had no apparent direction for the following few years. Unusual MCD-releases and experimental songs like "Lili Marlene" covers (featured on Gemini) estranged many of their original metal fans.

After 2000, nothing had been heard from Atrocity and seemed to have disbanded. However, they returned after four years with a new concept album, Atlantis, centered on the myths of the sunken continent of Atlantis. The album also features the vocals of Alexander's wife, Liv-Kristine Espanaes Krull (formerly in Theatre of Tragedy). The band members also formed the atmospheric metal band Leaves' Eyes, which features Liv Kristine as lead singer.