Integrity (band) explained

Integrity
Background:	group_or_band
Landscape:	yes
Origin:	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Years Active:	–present
Current Members:	Dwid Hellion

Integrity is a hardcore punk band originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but based in Belgium since 2003.^{[1] [2]} It was formed in 1988 by lead vocalist Dwid Hellion.^[3]

The band has released nearly 50 recordings since 1988 as well as playing at hundreds of shows including numerous global festival appearances. Their sound is a mix of hardcore punk and heavy metal, with influences including industrial, noise and experimental music. Lyrical themes include religion, the supernatural, art, philosophy, horror, as well as mental illness and the occult.

Musical style and legacy

According to its bio on Relapse Records website, Integrity was formed in Cleveland in 1988 and is considered to be one of the first bands to mix metal and hardcore in a way that would later become popular.

They have cited influences including Celtic Frost, Septic Death, Black Sabbath, Samhain, Metallica, Joy Division, Bauhaus and Throbbing Gristle.^[4]

In the 2013 Decibel "Hall of Fame", Integrity's Systems Overload (1995, Victory Records) was referred to as "the landmark work in a grand and heretical oeuvre".^[5]

They have been cited as an influence by bands including All Pigs Must Die,^[6] Clear,^[7] Converge,^[8] Full of Hell,^[9] Hatebreed,^[10] Overcast,^[7] Pulling Teeth,^[11] Rise and Fall^[12] and Unbroken.^[13]

Members

Current members

• Dwid Hellion – vocals, keyboards (1988–present)^[14]

Touring members

• Alex "The Beast" Henderson – drums (2011–present)
• Francis "Darkest Prince" Kano – bass (2017–present)
• Justin "Sexminn" Ethem – guitar (2018–present)

Former members

• Aaron Melnick – guitar, vocals (1988–1998)^[14]
• Frank Cavanaugh – guitar (1991)
• Bill Mckinney – guitar (1991)
• Chris Smith (II) – guitar (1991–1994)
• Frank "3 Gun" Novineck – guitar (1994–1998)^[15]
• Dave "Gravy" Felton – guitar (1998–2000)^[14]
• Vee Price – guitar, bass, vocals (2000–2002)
• John Comprix – guitar (2003)
• Blaze Tishko – guitar, vocals (2003)
• Mike Jochum – guitar (2003–2009)
• Matt Brewer – guitar (2005–2006)
• Rob Orr – guitar, bass, drums (2006–2014)
• Domenic Romeo – guitar, bass, organ (2014–2023)
• Tom Front – bass (1988–1989)
• Leon "Micha" Melnick – bass (1989–1998)
• Craig Martini – bass (1998–2000)
• Steve Rauckhorst – bass (2003–2009)
• Tiny Pines – drums (1988–1991)^[16]
• David Nicholi Araca – drums (1991–1994)
• Chris Dora – drums (1996–1998)^[17]
• Steve Felton – drums (1998–2000)
• Nate Jochum – drums (2005–2009)

Timeline

Discography

Studio Albums

• Those Who Fear Tomorrow (1991, Overkill)
• Systems Overload (1995, Victory)
• Humanity is the Devil (1996, Victory)
• Seasons in the Size of Days (1997, Victory)
• Integrity 2000 (1999, Victory)
• Closure (2001, Victory)
• To Die For (2003, Deathwish)
• The Blackest Curse (2010, Deathwish)
• Suicide Black Snake (2013, A389/Magic Bullet)^[18]
• Howling, For the Nightmare Shall Consume (2017, Relapse Records)^[19]

EPs

• Den of Iniquity (EP) (1993)
• Hooked, Lung, Stolen Breath Cunt (EP) (1994)
• Final Taste of Every Sin (EP) (1999)
• In Contrast of Tomorrow (EP) (2001, 2006)

Other

• Palm Sunday (Live) (2006, Aurora Borealis)
• All Death Is Mine: Total Domination (Compilation) (2024, Relapse Records)

External links

• Integrity on Bandcamp

Notes and References

1. News: Integrity's Dwid Hellion on 'Suicide Black Snake,' Humanity and Charles Manson . https://web.archive.org/web/20160805193530/http://www.mtv.com/news/2699254/integritys-dwid-hellion-on-suicide-black-snake-humanity-and-charles-manson/. dead. August 5, 2016. MTV. December 16, 2020.
2. Web site: Hardcore metal band Integrity returns to Cleveland for first gig since 2005. cleveland.com. October 31, 2012. December 16, 2020.
3. Web site: August 27, 2018. Bruce. Hardt-Valenzuela. 30 years of Integrity: an interview with Dwid Hellion on his vast career. December 30, 2020. BrooklynVegan.
4. Web site: Integrity Interview . . 20 February 2022.
5. News: Integrity - "Systems Overload". Decibel Magazine. June 21, 2017.
6. Web site: 10 Albums That Inspired All Pigs Must Die's "Hostage Animal" . 12 June 2024.
7. Book: Wiederhorn . Jon . Turman . Katherine . Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal . 2013 . It Books.
8. Web site: Breihan . Tom . 5-10-15-20: Converge's Kurt Ballou . . 12 June 2024.
9. Web site: Hill . Mike . Exploring Complexity With Full of Hell .
10. Web site: Thompson . Josh . Hatebreed Brings Brutality and Wrath to Columbus . 12 June 2024.
11. Web site: Yoe . Adam . Former Pulling Teeth Singer Mike Riley on His Hardcore Archival Projects . 12 June 2024.
12. Web site: 5 Albums That Influenced Rise and Fall, by Vocalist Bjorn Dossche . 12 June 2024.
13. Web site: Bowden . Scott . (((O))) : INTERVIEW: ROB MORAN FROM UNBROKEN . 12 June 2024.
14. Web site: Integrity biography. AllMusic. 8 May 2021.
15. Systems Overload. Integrity . 1995 . Booklet . Victory. 2.
16. Those Who Fear Tomorrow. Integrity . 1991 . Booklet . Overkill. 2.
17. Humanity is the Devil. Integrity . 1996 . Booklet . Victory. 2.
18. Web site: Adams. Gregory. Integrity Announce 'Suicide Black Snake'. Exclaim!. March 21, 2013. March 21, 2013.
19. Web site: Punknews.org. Interviews: Dwid Hellion on Integrity's New Record, G.I.S.M., and Annihilation. December 30, 2020. punknews.org. July 25, 2018 . en.