Immolation (band)

Immolation
Immolation at Metalmania in 2008
Background information
Also known as	Rigor Mortis (1986-1988)
Origin	Yonkers, New York, United States
Genres	Death metal
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Roadrunner, Metal Blade, Listenable, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Incantation, Goreaphobia, Rellik, Fallen Christ
Website	www.everlastingfire.com
Members	Ross Dolan Steve Shalaty Robert Vigna Alex Bouks
Past members	Thomas Wilkinson Alex Hernandez Craig Smilowski Neal Boback Bill Taylor

Immolation is an American death metal band from Yonkers, New York, United States.

The band formed in May 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz (bass guitar, vocals) and Dave Wilkinson (drums) under the name Rigor Mortis (NY). After recording the Warriors of Doom demo, the band changed their name to Immolation in April 1988. The band signed a record deal with Roadrunner Records and released their debut album Dawn of Possession. Immolation was dropped when Roadrunner Records dropped nearly all of the death metal bands on its roster. The band was then signed by Metal Blade Records and released the three albums: Here in After, Failures for Gods, and Close to a World Below. After their second album Here in After, drummer Craig Smilowski left the band and was replaced by Alex Hernandez. Their next three albums, Unholy Cult, Harnessing Ruin, and Shadows in the Light were released by French label Listenable Records.

In May 2001, the band were the headliners for a tour in Europe with supporting bands: Deranged, Deströyer 666, Decapitated and Soul Demise.Unholy Cult saw the departure of guitarist Thomas Wilkinson and the installation of ex-Angelcorpse guitarist Bill Taylor. Steve Shalaty replaced Hernandez on Harnessing Ruin. In February 2008, Immolation toured the US alongside bands such as Rotting Christ, Belphegor and Averse Sefira. During January and February 2010, Immolation toured with headliner Nile along with Krisiun, Rose Funeral, and Dreaming Dead.