Bio

Graymalkin was formed in East Auckland in 1999 by long-time friends Michael Rothwell and Phil Osborne as an experimental two-piece gore-grind band, heavily influenced by the likes of Hemdale and Embalmer.

During the first two years of Graymalkin's existence, the pair recorded two demos: Pleased To Meat You (1999) and Deciphering the Deranged (2000), both of which served as raw, gruesome predecessors to the present Graymalkin sound.

Keen to expand their sound and repertoire, Rothwell and Osborne brought in the services of Dawn of Azazel/Forced To Submit guitarist Joe Bonnet on bass guitar towards the end of 2001. The trio continued to write songs furiously and further developed their signature sound.

In May 2002, Graymalkin played their first live show at Wellington's Bludgeoning and Burning Festival with Martin Cavanagh (Skuldom, Forced To Submit) and Rigel Walshe (Dawn of Azazel) helping out with an insane, dual vocal performance.

The very next week, Rothwell met Gareth Craze whilst engaging in some medicinal relief at Auckland University's common rooms. Craze auditioned for the vacant vocal position and was promptly brought into the fray by the rest of the band, who were impressed by his commandingly brutal voice and professional, no holds barred approach to performing.

Thus a completed, workable Graymalkin line-up had been formed, and the remainder of 2002 saw the band play numerous shows in the Auckland area and develop a reputation for ruthless, chaotic performances, further enhanced by a sound that many have deemed to be a perfect midpoint between the technical virtuosity of death metal, the by-numbers heaviness of hardcore and the speedy relentlessness of grindcore - a savage yet sophisticated melting pot of twisted riffery, light-speed drumming, groaning bass and erratic and varied vocal patterns.

Graymalkin went into Rockbottom Studios to record their debut promotional release Revenge On Mankind in December 2002, though the CD would not see the light of day for almost another seven months.

Further performances throughout the North Island followed in 2003, until Bonnett left on good terms in April 2003 to concentrate on his other musical projects. Graymalkin went on to support veteran US death metal band Incantation on their New Zealand tour.

Graymalkin's Revenge On Mankind promo CD has just been released on Jailbait Records; the lengthy wait and speculation surrounding its delayed release have further increased the interest in this uniquely brutal Auckland band and will no doubt maintain the bands increasing popularity and infamy for many moons to come.

Band Members:
Gareth 'Joey Joejoe Junior Shabadoo' Craze (vocals)
Michael 'Ray Malkin' Rothwell (guitar)
Phil Osborne (drums)