Cryogenic
Band members
- Final line-up
- Steve Essa (guitar)
- Anthony Henning (bass)
- Darren Jenkins (drums)
- Steve Simmons (vocals)
- Former members
- Darren Maloney (vocals) (1997 - 2001)\
- Russell Player (vocals, guitar) (1992 - 1997)
- Chad Bartosik (drums) (1992 - 1995)
Website
Formed
Sydney, NSW, 1992
Band information
Cryogenic was arguably Sydney’s best known metal band for several years at the end of the 90s and remain to this day the only one to have appeared at the Big Day Out festival on three occasions. Their reputation as a fearsome and consistent live act brought them a solid following that spilled over into fairly successful CD sales.
The band began in 1992 as a thrash band influenced by Metallica and Slayer and the line-up at the time featured Steve Essa and Anthony Henning, along with Russell Player on vocals and rhythm guitar and drummer Chad Bartosik, who was also a member of Neophobia. In 1994 the band’s self-titled four-track demo came out through Warhead Records but further progress was stalled due to the lack of commitment from Bartosik, who nonetheless supplied drums for Cryogenic’s contribution to the Warhead Records compilation album Warhead Vol. 1 in 1995. Bartosik’s replacement in Neophobia, Grahame Goode, filled in for Cryogenic on the live front as they searched for a permanent drummer and due to this the band was able to support Belgium’s Channel Zero in late 1995. Nevertheless, without a drummer the band was on the verge of splitting up until ex-Mortality guitarist Darren Jenkins began to rehearse with them in late 1995. Jenkins had only taken up the drums to fill Cryogenic’s drumming spot and while the band was at first dubious, he soon proved his ability.
The band’s next release was “Hypocrisy”, a three-track single issued only in limited numbers on cassette through Warhead. It featured Bartosik’s drumming. One song from the tape, “Intoxicated” was made into a video clip and added to a youth anti-drug and alcohol campaign CD. In August 1996, Cryogenic supported Fear Factory in Sydney and by the end of the year the band had begun to secure their place at the top of the city’s metal talent. In mid-1997, Cryogenic began recording their debut album, completing work in August. After a brief visit to Queensland, however, the band issued the surprise announcement that Player had left Cryogenic and had been replaced by ex-Mortality vocalist Darren Maloney. With the album ready to come out, Maloney entered the studio and re-recorded all the vocal parts. Suspended Animation was released in October 1997; Maloney’s vocals gave the band a modernised, more aggressive sound. Following the release of the album, Cryogenic went from strength to strength, supporting tours by Strapping Young Lad and Cradle of Filth in late 1997 and Entombed in early 1998. 1998 proved to be the band’s biggest year to date as several months later, Cryogenic embarked on an ambitious overseas tour, playing a series of shows in Germany, England and South Africa, where they toured with Groinchurn; they also won the national support on Slayer’s Australian tour which completed their four nation sojourn. Late in the year they played at Metal for the Brain for the first time.
Next, Cryogenic was added to the line-up of the Sydney Big Day Out in January 1999, where they played an early afternoon show on an outdoor side stage. After this the band began working on a new album, entitled ego-noria, that was released toward the end of the year and supported by heavy touring. The album was self-released by the band and featured a unique cut-out booklet. The year culminated in a headlining appearance at Metal for the Brain.
2000 began in a similar manner to the previous year when Cryogenic again featured at the Big Day Out. Two months later they embarked on the huge World War Three east coast tour with Alchemist and Psi.Kore between March and May. They again featured at Metal for the Brain and in December Essa played a few shows as fill-in guitarist with Psi.Kore on their tour with Damaged.
In January 2001, Cryogenic once again appeared at the Sydney Big Day Out, but after this the band went off the radar for most of the rest of the year, ostensibly preparing for a follow-up album. However, in October it was announced that Maloney had been replaced by ex-Mischling and Henry’s Anger singer Steve Simmons. While Maloney’s addition to the band had resulted in a heavier and more aggressive sound, the introduction of Simmons had been brought about by Cryogenic’s desire to develop a more accessible and commercial style. The next twelve months were fairly low-key for the band as it developed its new style while focusing on a move to the United States. With tentative plans made for shows in LA, Simmons was seriously injured in a car accident in September 2002 and was forced to leave the band.
The remainder of Cryogenic moved base to LA in December where they were joined by Ryan David a short time later and changed name to In The Name Of. After just on two years of playing the LA club circuit, that band broke up in early 2005. Maloney reformed Mortality for a one-off reunion show in 2006.
Discography
Albums:
| 1997 | Suspended Animation | Warhead | |
| 1999 | Ego-noria | EMA |
Single:
| 1996 | Hypocrisy | Warhead |
Compilation tracks:
| Year | Track Title | Album Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Take the Pain" | Warhead Vol. 1 | Warhead |
| 1996 | "Intoxicated" | On Earth Undead | Independent |
| 1997 | "Bring It On" | A.I.R. Vol 1 | A.I.R. |
| 1998 | "Death Becomes You" | A.I.R. Vol 2 | A.I.R. |
| 1999 | "Death Becomes You" | A Declaration of Independents | Something For Now |
| 1999 | "Bring it On" | Move Along... Nothing to See Here | Blind |
| 1999 | "Death By Misadventure" | Under the Southern Cross | Chatterbox |
| 2000 | "Fall On" | Full Metal Racket | ABC/EMI |