A Band of Orcs

A Band of Orcs is an American metal band formed in Santa Cruz, California, in 2007. The current band line up includes five members known only as: Cretos Filthgrinder, Gahzgûhl Coffinfeeder, Srig Foehammer, Oog Skullbasher and Gronk!. The band claims to be a tribe of Orc warriors sent to Earth by "The Gruesome Grimp" to "bring forth the Domination"[1] They provide a very theatrical live show and always appear wearing very detailed silicone masks. They have played with notable acts such as GWAR, 3 Inches of Blood, Deicide, Master and ArnoCorps among others.[2]

A Band of Orcs
OriginSanta Cruz, California, USA
GenresThrash metal, death metal
Years active2007–present
MembersGogog Bloodthroat
Cretos Filthgrinder
Hulg ElfRipper
Oog Skullbasher
Gronk!
Websitewww.aBandOfOrcs.com

Their debut EP, "Warchiefs of the Apocalypse" was released on August 15, 2007.[3] On November 23, 2007, Iron Maiden front-man Bruce Dickinson played the track “Bring Out Your Dead” on The Bruce Dickinson Rock Show broadcast on the BBC.[4] Currently, they are signed to Itchy Metal Entertainment (IME)/Heavy Metal-World.[5]

Musical style

A Band of Orcs play in a style generally characterizable as death metal, although they themselves refer to it as "Brutal Orc Metal".[6]

Stage performance

The group generally puts on an elaborate live show featuring props, faux battles with one another and plastic weapons they hand out to audience members. Before their performance, they commonly play a slightly altered version of the track "Descent" from their EP, Warchiefs of the Apocalypse, as introduction music.[7]

The show is peppered with commentary from each member in broken English, especially lead singer Gogog Bloodthroat who is known to give commands to the audience and make apocalyptic speeches between songs.

Characters

A Band of Orcs consists of five musicians who each portray a unique character of the Orc race, as in many popular games and works of fiction. They each wear very detailed masks and costumes at all times when representing the band and rarely break character.[8][9][10] Because of this, their identities are widely unknown.

The characters are:

  • Gogog Bloodthroat /Jerrad Landon Laign (Vocals 2009 - 2014) [former] Will Keen (former)(2008-2009) The "leader" of A Band of Orcs. He gets his name from the wound on his neck caused by an arrow.[11] (presumably a reference to Gruumsh from the Dungeons & Dragons universe)
  • Gronk! (Bass) - The "Shaman" of A Band of Orcs. His name translates to ‘the-rumbling-sound-of-earth-quake-that-precedes-the-volcano-eruption’[11] Also seems to be the most capable with English.[8]
  • Hulg ElfRipper (Rhythm Guitars) [former] - A zombie Orc, killed by lead guitarist Cretos and subsequently reanimated.[11]
  • Cretos Filthgrinder/Andrew Soto (Lead guitars) Consistently claims to be the sexiest Orc.[7] Solos are his trademark.[11]
  • Oog Skullbasher (Drums) - Oog likes to bang stuff, so he plays drums.[11]

Discography
Studio albums
Year Title Artist Producer Studio
2007Warchiefs of the Apocalypse EP[12]A Band of OrcsScott SargeantTrident Studios
2012Adding Heads to the Pile[13]A Band of OrcsTrident Studios
Music videos
Year Title Album Artist Director
2007"Into the Maelstrom"Warchiefs of the ApocalypseA Band of OrcsJess Bryden

References
  1. Rue Morgue - The Sinister Seven: A Band of Orcs Try to Eat my Brain Archived 2011-01-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  2. A Band of Orcs Bio Archived February 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  3. Metal Archives. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  4. The Santa Cruz Sentinel - The wizards of Orc: Santa Cruz's masked crusaders headline a heavy-metal freak show Archived 2012-03-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  5. "Heavy Metal World Signs A Band Of Orcs To Ime Records - Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth.net. 24 December 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  6. Warchiefs of the Apocalypse Archived May 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  7. Interview with Stefanie Heminger Archived February 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  8. SC Metal Bay Interviews A Band of Orcs Archived January 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  9. Alt Revolt Magazine Interviews A Band of Orcs Archived February 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  10. Reality Check TV Interviews A Band of Orcs Archived February 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  11. "Your New Leaders" Archived May 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Character Bios. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  12. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  13. "A Band Of Orcs Invades Earth With New Album "Adding Heads To The Pile"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
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