Agathocles is a Belgian

political Politics () is the set of activities that are associated with decision-making, making decisions in social group, groups, or other forms of power (social and political), power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of Social sta ...

grindcore Grindcore is an extreme metal, extreme fusion genre of heavy metal music, heavy metal and hardcore punk that originated in the mid-1980s, drawing inspiration from abrasive-sounding musical styles, such as thrashcore, crust punk, hardcore punk, e ...

band. Founded in 1985, it is mainly known for producing a large quantity of split seven-inch EPs. They play a style of grindcore they have dubbed "mincecore". Their lyrical themes have focused on

anti-fascism Anti-fascism is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideologies, groups and individuals. Beginning in European countries in the 1920s, it was at its most significant shortly before and during World War II, where the Axis powers were op ...

, animal liberation and

anarchism Anarchism is a political philosophy and Political movement, movement that seeks to abolish all institutions that perpetuate authority, coercion, or Social hierarchy, hierarchy, primarily targeting the state (polity), state and capitalism. A ...

. All of its members are

vegetarians Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. A person who pra ...

. Their lineup has changed numerous times since they first started, the only consistent member being Jan Frederickx (also known as Jan AG).

Biography

1980s

Agathocles was formed in the Belgian city of Mol, aspiring to sound like bands such as

Lärm Lärm (German language, German for ''noise'') were a Netherlands, Dutch straight edge hardcore punk, hardcore band formed in 1981, first playing under the name of Total Chaoz. They referred to their music as "extreme noise", though having nothing ...

and

Hellhammer Hellhammer was a Swiss extreme metal band from Nürensdorf, active from 1982 to 1984. Although the band's sound and style were heavily criticized and poorly reviewed during their active years, they have been widely praised in retrospect and are ...

. Its original members, Jan and Erwin, were involved in the underground

metal A metal () is a material that, when polished or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electrical resistivity and conductivity, electricity and thermal conductivity, heat relatively well. These properties are all associated wit ...

punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...

scene since the start of the decade, releasing compilation tapes and

zines A zine ( ; short for ''magazine'' or ''fanzine'') is, as noted on Merriam-Webster’s official website, a magazine that is a “noncommercial often homemade or online publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject ...

. Only a few of their rehearsal tapes survive from 1984, their first year playing together, mainly as appearances on compilations. Agathocles began playing concerts in 1985, although audiences were still small for the type of extreme music they produced. They had an on-air interview on the local radio station that year. By 1987, the band's line-up had begun to settle, albeit temporarily, in the form of Jan, Ronny and Erwin. They also found a long-term rehearsal space—Jam, a youth club in Mol—where they would not receive complaints or be ejected, as had happened in previous rehearsal rooms. They recorded more compilation tracks, organised more small concerts, and played gigs with other bands who would become equally famous, such as

Napalm Death Napalm Death are an English grindcore band formed in Meriden, West Midlands, in 1981. None of the band's original members have been in the group since 1986, but since ''Utopia Banished'' (1992), the lineup of bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mi ...

and Pestilence (and later

Extreme Noise Terror Extreme Noise Terror (often abbreviated to ENT) are a British extreme metal band formed in Ipswich, England in 1985 and one of the earliest and most influential crust bands. Noted for one of the earliest uses of dual vocalists in hardcore,Bonn ...

, as well as smaller bands such as Violent Mosquitos and Total Mosh Project). The first Agathocles releases were issued in 1988, which saw the arrival of a split EP with Riek Boois, as well as their first solo outing, ''Cabbalic Gnosticism'', both of which were originally on cassette. Other material was recorded at the same time, but not released until later. By this time the band had four members, as Jakke had joined on guitar in December 1986, allowing Jan to concentrate on vocals. Another guitarist, Guy, joined a year later, in 1989, and the split LP with the band Drudge was recorded and released on Deaf Records, as well as several other EPs. Towards the end of the year, the line-up changed yet again, with the bassist, Ronny, leaving the band and guitarist Jakke taking over from him.

1990s

A major line-up change occurred at the beginning of the decade, in May 1990, when Jan got rid of all the other members of the band and found two new members instead - Domingo on guitar and Burt on drums, with Jan now playing bass. Domingo and Burt were both from little-known Belgian grindcore band Necrosis, who recorded only one demo, in 1990. With the new line-up, the band ceased rehearsing in Mol, moving instead to the drummer's home town of Zichem. Several more EPs were released in the same year and, with the band growing in popularity, they played gigs in

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

as well as

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

and went on a mini tour with the Japanese grindcore band SxOxB. More line-up changes occurred throughout the next few years. Ex-Agathocles drummer Erwin briefly returned in 1991, now playing bass guitar. After only a few months with this line-up, Domingo left the band, leaving the band as a three-piece group during the recording of their ''Agarchy'' EP in July. However, the band soon had four members again when Domingo was replaced by Chris. It was with this line-up that they recorded ''Theatric Symbolisation Of Life'', but towards the end of the year, Erwin left the band again and Agathocles got a new bassist called Dirk. In the summer of 1991, Agathocles also went on another tour, this time in

East Germany East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from Foundation of East Germany, its formation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on ...

, with vocalist Tuur from fellow Belgian mincecore band

Reign Of Terror The Reign of Terror (French: ''La Terreur'', literally "The Terror") was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the French First Republic, First Republic, a series of massacres and Capital punishment in France, nu ...

. Tuur did vocals for this tour because guitarist Chris was unable to tour with the band, so Jan had to take over his guitarist duties. The band's line-up changed again in May 1992 when guitarist Chris and bassist Dirk left to form their own band. Agathocles found a new guitarist to take over from Chris - Steve (from Belgian grindcore band Intestinal Disease) - and Jan played bass guitar (as well as doing vocals). Two of the band's LPs (''Cliché?'' and ''Use Your Anger'') were recorded with this new line-up and they also played one gig in

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

for the first time in a small town named

Macomer Macomer () is a town and ''comune'' of Sardinia (Italy) in the province of Nuoro. It is situated on the southern ascent to the central plateau (the Campeda) of this part of Sardinia, at the junction of narrow-gauge lines branching from the main ra ...

(

Sardinia Sardinia ( ; ; ) is the Mediterranean islands#By area, second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, and one of the Regions of Italy, twenty regions of Italy. It is located west of the Italian Peninsula, north of Tunisia an ...

). The band remained a 3-piece group throughout 1993, with the line-up staying consistent as Jan, Burt and Steve. It was with this line-up that Agathocles went on a major

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

an tour, visiting Belgium, the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...

Slovakia Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Slovakia's m ...

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

and the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

, as well as recording several more split EPs. In 1994, the band retained the same line-up, this time touring in

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

(in July of that year), where they recorded the ''Mince Mongers In Barna'' EP in the rehearsal room of Spanish mincecore band Violent Headache. The ''Black Clouds Determinate'' CD was also recorded in this year. The line-up stayed the same during the first half of 1995, during which time Agathocles recorded their album ''Razor Sharp Daggers'', as well as featuring on the compilation ''Metalopolis'', which was released by the Belgian radio station

Studio Brussel Studio Brussel is a Dutch-speaking radio station in Belgium, owned by the VRT. The music played is considered more alternative than the other big radio stations, and is aimed mainly at a youth audience. The channel is an initiative of the Fle ...

. In the summer, however, the line-up changed again, with Matty replacing Steve on guitar. This line-up would stay constant through 1996 and for most of 1997, two years in which Agathocles did a lot more touring. This started at the beginning of 1996, when the band visited

Turkey Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...

, playing alongside the band ''Radical Noise'', and then they toured the Czech Republic with the mincecore band

Malignant Tumour Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

. During this tour, the band recorded a video as a benefit for a Czech

animal rights Animal rights is the philosophy according to which many or all Animal consciousness, sentient animals have Moral patienthood, moral worth independent of their Utilitarianism, utility to humans, and that their most basic interests—such as ...

group. As well as recording the album ''Thanks For Your Hostility'' and several more split EPs, Agathocles also recorded a studio session in 1996 on the radio station Studio Brussel. Another such session was done the year later, this time in the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

studios in

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, where they recorded a

Peel Session John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), better known as John Peel, was an English radio presenter and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original disc jockeys on BBC Radio 1, broadcasting regularly from ...

, in the same way that many other famous grindcore bands have done. 1997 was also the year that the ''Humarrogance'' album was recorded (as well as even more split EPs) and the band also toured in Germany with Swedish band Driller Killer. In November, the line-up changed again, when the band returned to being a four-piece, with Vince joining as the bass guitarist. With this new line-up, the band toured again in Germany with Driller Killer in 1998 before Matty and Vince left the band in June and Dirk rejoined as the guitarist, with Jan playing bass again. This new line-up, of Jan, Burt and Dirk recorded several more split EPs, and toured in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. They also played gigs with other bands in the underground scene such as

Unholy Grave Unholy Grave is a Japanese grindcore band that formed in 1993 and are based in the city of Nagoya, Japan. The band got its name from the song "Beyond the Unholy Grave" by the American death metal band Death. Unholy Grave's lyrics mainly focus o ...

, My Minds Mine and

. The band ended the decade with a line-up that would last for several years into the new millennium.

2000s

In 2000, Agathocles released their sixth full-length, ''To Serve… to Protect'', that was distributed through the Italian label Vacation House (later re-released with bonus tracks by the Brazilian labels No Fashion HC and Heavy Metal Rock).

Members

*Jan Frederickx - guitar, vocals (1985-) *Nils Laureys - drums, vocals (2007-) *Koen - guitar (2012-)

Past members

*Erwin Vandenbergh - drums (1985-1990) bass (1991) *Ronny - bass (1987-1989) *Jakke - guitar (1987-1990) *Guy - guitar (1989-1990) *Domingo Smets - guitar (1990) *Burt Beyens - drums (1990-2002) *Chris - guitar (1991-1992) *Dirk - bass (1991-1992) *Steve Houtmeyers - guitar (1992-1995) *Matty Dupont - guitar (1995-1998) *Dirk Cuyx - guitar (1998-2007) *Roel Tulleneers - drums (2002-2007) *Tony Schepkens - bass (2007-2008) *Bram Criekemans - bass (2008-2012)

Discography

CDs

*''Keizershof disaster''* 1986-2016 punk/straight edge/hardcore/crust *''Theatric Symbolisation of Life 1992 *''Use Your Anger'' 1992 *''Black Clouds Determinate'' 1994 *''Razor Sharp Daggers'' 1995 *''The LPs: 1989-1991'' 1996 *''Thanks For Your Hostility'' 1996 *''Humarrogance'' 1997 *''Split with Axed Up Conformist'' 1999 *'' To Serve... to Protect...'' 2000 *''Superiority Overdose'' 2001 *''4-Way Split with

Abortion Abortion is the early termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. Abortions that occur without intervention are known as miscarriages or "spontaneous abortions", and occur in roughly 30–40% of all pregnan ...

, Din-Addict and

'' 2001 *''Bomb Brussels'' (Live Album) 2001 *''Alive & Mincing'' (Live Album) 2003 *''Mincemania In Bulgaria'' 2004 *''Mincer'' 2006 *''Get Off your Ass/In Noise we Noise'' Split with '' Ruido Genital'' 2007 *''Night Train To Terror'' split with ''

Saul Turteltaub Saul Turteltaub (May 5, 1932 – April 9, 2020) was an American comedy writer and producer. He was nominated for Emmy Awards in 1964 and 1965 as part of the writing team for ''That Was the Week that Was'', and in 1968 for ''The Carol Burnett Show' ...

'' 2007 *''Split with The Vanishing Act'' 2008 *''Split with Armatura'' 2008 *''Abstract split with Cü Sujo'' 2008 *''Grind is Protest'' 2009 *''Split with Crowd Control '' 2009 *''"Imaginary Boundaries" 4-way split with Detrua Ideo/Violenta Dizimacao/Pissdeads '' 2009 *''This is Not a Threat, It's a Promise'' 2010 *''4 way split with Kerenaneko, Prosuck and Rvota'' 2011 *''Kanpai!!'' 2012 *''Agathocles/Nauseate'' - Split CD 2014 *''Commence to Mince'' 2016 *''We Just Don't Fit'' 2018 *''Baltimore Mince Massacre'' 2020

LPs

*''Supposed It Was You (split with Drudge)'' 1989 *''Split with Lunatic Invasion'' 1991 *''Theatric Symbolisation Of Life'' 1992 *''Agarchy / Use Your Anger'' 1997 *''Split with Deadmocracy'' 1998 *''Until It Bleeds'' (Best Of) 1997 *''Live and Noisy'' (Live) 1997 *''Mincecore'' (Compilation) 1998 *''To Serve... To Protect'' 1999 *''Live in Leipzig, Germany 1991'' (Live) 1999 *''Mincecore History 1985-1990'' (Compilation) 2000 *''Keep Mincing'' (Compilation) 2001 *''Superiority Overdose'' 2001 *''Mincecore History 1989-1993'' (Best of) 2001 *''Chop Off Their Trust'' (Split) 2002 *''Live Aalst Belgium 1989'' (Split) 2002 *''Until It Bleeds Again (1994-1999)'' (Best of) 2002 *Split With Sterbe Hilfe - ''Emoc T'now Modcnik Yht!'' (Split Album) 2003 *''To Serve... To Protect / Leads To...'' (Best of) 2003

EPs

*''If This Is Gore, What's Meat Then (split with Riek Boois)'' 1988 *''Split with Disgorge'' 1989 *''Split with V.N.A.'' 1989 *''Fascination of Mutilation'' 1989 *''If This Is Cruel What's Vivisection Then?'' 1989 *''Who Profits? Who Dies? (split with Morbid Organs Mutilation (M.O.M.))'' 1989 *''Split with

Blood Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. Blood is com ...

'' 1990 *''Split with

Smegma Smegma (from Ancient Greek ) is shed skin cells, skin oils, and moisture that occurs in male and female mammalian genitalia. In males, smegma collects under the foreskin; in females, it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the lab ...

'' 1991 *''Split with Putrid Offal'' 1991 *''Split with Psycho'' 1991 *''Agarchy'' 1991 *''Cliché?'' 1992 *''Split with Social Genocide'' 1993 *''Blind World (split with Nasum)'' 1993 *''Split with

Starvation Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy intake, below the level needed to maintain an organism's life. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, de ...

'' 1993 *''War Scars (split with Kompost)'' 1993 *''Distrust And Abuse'' 1993 *''Split with Nyctophobic'' 1993 *''Split with Bad Acid Trip'' 1993 *''No Use ...For Hatred'' 1993 *''Split with

Patareni Patareni are a hardcore punk, noise, and grindcore band from Zagreb, Croatia, formed in 1983. Owing to their formation at such an early date, they are considered to be one of the earliest grindcore bands. Their discography is extensive, consisti ...

'' 1993 *''Split with Smash The Brain'' 1993 *''Split with

Man Is The Bastard Man Is the Bastard was an American hardcore punk band based in Claremont, California. The band existed from 1990 to 1997, releasing mostly vinyl splits, extended plays, and albums on obscure labels from around the world. By 1997, the group ended ...

'' 1993 *''Split with Plastic Grave'' 1994 *''Split with Audiorrea'' 1994 *''Split with Averno'' 1994 *''Split with

Punisher The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle, born Castiglione) is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher ma ...

'' 1994 *''Mince-Mongers in Barna'' 1994 *''Split with Carcass Grinder'' 1994 *''Split with Rot'' 1994 *''Back To 1987'' (Best Of Album) 1994 *''Split with Notoken'' 1995 *''Split with Voltifobia'' 1996 *''Split with Vomit Fall'' 1996 *''Split with Preparation H'' 1996 *''Split with Autoritor'' 1996 *''Split with Krush'' 1996 *''Bomb Brussels'' 1996 *''Minced Alive'' 1996 *''Split with Black Army Jacket'' 1996 *''Split with No Gain - Just Pain'' 1996 *''Split with

Respect Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or deferential action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. It is also th ...

'' 1997 *''Split with Böses Blut'' 1997 *''Split with PP7 Gaftzeb'' 1997 *''Split with Looking For Answer'' 1997 *''Split with Monolith (grindcore)'' 1997 *''Split with Shikabane'' 1997 *''Split with

'' 1997 *''Split with D.I.E.'' 1997 *''Split with BWF'' 1997 *''Split with Abstain'' 1997 *''Split with Mitten Spider'' 1997 *''Split with Comrades'' 1998 *''Split with Spud'' 1998 *''Split with Bloodsucker'' 1998 *''Split with Depressor'' 1998 *''Split with Hunt Hunters'' 1999 *''Split with Glass Eyes'' 1999 *''Split with Disreantiyouthhellchristbastardassmanx'' 1999 *''Split with Grind Buto'' 1999 *''Split with Piles Left to Rot'' 2000 *''Split with Kontatto'' 2000 *''Split with Din-Addict'' 2000 *''Split with Brutal Headache'' 2000 *''Kicked and Whipped/Keep On Selling Cocaine to Angels'' 2000 *''Split with Disculpa'' 2000 *''Split with Jan AG'' 2002 *''Split with Front Beast'' 2003 *''Split with Sodan Sankareita'' 2003 *''Split EP with The Mad Thrashers'' 2004 *''Split EP with Kadaverficker'' 2004 *''Split with ... Our Last Beer(s)'' 2004 *''Split with dios hastío'' 2005 *''Split with Archagathus'' 2006 *''Split with Seven Minutes of Nausea'' 2007 *''Split with J. Briglia, L. Butler, D. Schoonmaker & J. Williams'' 2008 *''Split with SMG'' 2008 *''Split with Armatura'' 2008 *''Split with Crowd Control'' 2008 *''Split with I Hope You Suffer'' 2008 *''Split with Repulsione'' 2008 *''Split with Disleksick'' 2009 *''Split with ShitFuckingShit and GAP'' *''Split with Jandek'' (collaboration) *''Split with Sposa In Alto Mare'' (7 inches) 2011 *''Split with Kurws'' (5 inches) 2013 *''Split with Necrology'' 2015 *''Split EP with G.I. Joke'' 2015 *''Split with GodCum'' 2018 * ''Split with LtxDan'' 2017 *''Split with Antikult'' 2019 *''Split with Terminal Filth Wimpcore Killer'' (7 inch) 2021 *''Stabilithocles (split with Стабильность)'' 2022

DTs

*''Cabbalic Gnosticism'' 1988 *''Live In Gierle'' 1989

DVDs

*''Superiority Overdose'' 2002

References

External links

Agathocles Interview at Diabolical Conquest Webzine
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agathocles (band) Belgian grindcore musical groups Musical groups established in 1985 Belgian musical trios English-language musical groups from Belgium Geel 1985 establishments in Belgium