Superjoint, formerly known as Superjoint Ritual, was an American metal/hardcore band formed in the 1990s and fronted by Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo.
Superjoint | |
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 Phil Anselmo performing with Superjoint Ritual at Ozzfest 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Superjoint Ritual (1993–2004) |
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History
The band was formed by Phil Anselmo, Joe Fazzio, and Jimmy Bower in the early 1990s, later to be joined by Hank Williams III and Kevin Bond. They were founded by Anselmo parallel to his membership in Pantera, but became a full-time endeavor a few years later after Pantera's dissolution.
Despite their early 1990s establishment, it was not until a decade later, after the folding of Pantera, that the group recorded any albums. It was then that Superjoint Ritual garnered significant TV exposure on programs such as MTV2's Headbangers Ball and Fuse TV's Uranium.
However, the group's time in the spotlight would prove short lived. A dispute between Anselmo and Fazzio led to the band's eventual split in late 2004, which was confirmed by both Hank Williams III and Jimmy Bower.
The band reunited at the Housecore Horror Film Festival in Austin, Texas in October 2014. For legal reasons, the band performed under the name "Superjoint".[1] Hank Williams III was initially supposed to take part in this first reunion show, but had to bow out due to personal issues.
Although their appearance at Housecore Horror was supposed to be the only reunion show, the band would later perform at Hellfest 2015.[2][3]
Superjoint released their latest album to date, Caught Up in the Gears of Application, on November 11, 2016, through Housecore Records.
In January 2017, Superjoint played a tour with Battlecross and Child Bite.[4]
In an interview in June 2019, Anselmo mentioned that he was no longer interested in playing with Superjoint.[5] In October 2020, bassist Stephen Taylor said he is unsure if the band is still active.[6] Further interviews with guitarist Jimmy Bower in 2021 confirmed that the band is finished, with no plans to do any further work. Bower cited his and Anselmo's disinterest in working on material related to the band, as well as their existing commitments to Eyehategod and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals.[7]
Musical style and influences
Superjoint's style has been described as a mix of sludge metal and hardcore punk.[8][9] Bands like Venom, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Voivod, and Darkthrone have also been noted as influences. The name "Superjoint Ritual" comes from a lyric in the Darkthrone song "The Pagan Winter". According to Bower, Anselmo wrote 70–80% of the group's music.[10]
Members
- Final lineup
- Phil Anselmo – vocals (1993–2004, 2014–2019), additional guitars (1993–1998, 2002–2004, 2014–2019), lead guitar (1998–2002)
- Jimmy Bower – rhythm guitar (1993–2004, 2014–2019)
- Kevin Bond – lead guitar (2002–2004, 2014–2019), bass (1994–1995)
- Stephen Taylor – bass (2014–2019)
- Jose Gonzalez – drums (2014–2019)
- Former
- Michael Haaga – bass (1993–1994, 1995–2002)
- Hank Williams III – bass (2002–2004)
- Joe Fazzio – drums (1993–2004)
- Marzi Montazeri – lead guitar (1993–1994)
- Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Use Once and Destroy (2002, Sanctuary Records)
- A Lethal Dose of American Hatred (2003, Sanctuary Records)
- Caught Up in the Gears of Application (2016, Housecore Records)
Demos
- 1995 Demo
- 1997 Demo
Videography
DVDs
- Live in Dallas, TX 2002 (2002, Sanctuary Visual Entertainment)
- Live at CBGB's (2004, Sanctuary Visual Entertainment)
