Earth

Band members

• Current line-up
  • Rob Mollica (drums)
  • Brendan Birge (vocals)
  • Jeremy (guitar)
  • Ben Kornov (bass)
  • Sarah (keys)
  • John Stirling (guitar)

• Former members
  • James Rose (guitar) (2003 - 2006)
  • Terry Vainoras (vocals) (2001 - 2004)
  • Sean Hinds (keys) (2003 - 2005)
  • Rachel Hird (keys) (1997 - 2003)
  • Rick Withoos (guitar) (1998 - 2003)
  • Dan (bass) (1997 - 2002)
  • Chris (guitar) (1997 - 1999)

Website

myspace.com/earthmetal

Formed

Melbourne, VIC, 1997

Band information

Earth formed in Melbourne in the early 90s and for most of that decade and the early 00s was one of the mainstays of the scene. Heavily influenced by the melodic death metal style of Gothenburg, Sweden, Earth became popular as one of the first (and, for some time, one of the only) Australian bands experimenting with the style. Their early demo sold out of several pressings.

Star Condemn'd was recorded in 1998 but remained unreleased until mid-2000. Their label-seeking efforts initially paid off in mid 1999 when they were picked up by Swedish label Iron Fist, although the association didn't last and the debut album was further delayed. Meanwhile, Birge played in Damaged for several months between late 1998 to early 1999, and Mollica was also a member of Engraved and a guitarist with Abramelin as well as featuring in several other Melbourne bands at various times.

Bassist Dan seriously injured his hand on the eve of Earth's first appearance at the 1999 Metal for the Brain festival and the band played the show without a bass player. By then Earth had become strongly established as one of Australia’s best metal talents, with a killer live reputation. Birge left Earth for personal reasons in 2001 after the recording of The Bleeding Fields. He was replaced in December 2001 by Vainoras from Order of Chaos. Kornov joined Earth in 2002.

The second album showed a different side of Earth’s sound, leaning more toward a heavy death rock style similar to Entombed. 2002 was meant to be the year that Earth would concentrate their efforts on Europe, however further upheaval took place in the line-up when Hird left due to pregnancy and Withoos also moved on. Withoos joined Atomizer briefly and then formed Darkest Dawn, which also featured Stirling on bass for a while.

In mid-2004, Earth announced it would be coming to an end after a series of farewell shows for which they were rejoined by Brendan Birge; however after what was mooted as the band’s final appearance at the 2005 Metal for the Brain festival, Earth then recanted its decision to split. With Sarah joining in the meantime, the band has continued to be active and during 2006 supported Dismember. A third album was planned for 2007 but this has so far not appeared. In July 2008 Earth will once again support Dismember on a national tour.

Discography

Albums:

	2000	Star Condemn'd	Black Hole
	2002	The Bleeding Fields	High Voltage

Compilation tracks:

	Year	Track Title	Album Title	Label
	1999	"Of This Spell"	Under the Southern Cross	Chatterbox
	2001	"Reign of Hate"	Metal for the Brain 2001	Metal for the Brain/Chatterbox
	2002	"Black Earth"	Full Metal Racket 2	ABC/EMI