Scarve

by Ed RivadaviaA self-defined "new age death metal band," Scarve was formed in 1994, in Nancy, France by rhythm guitarist Patrick Martin and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. Highly in-demand as one of extreme metal's top drummers, Verbeuren would regularly lend his services to other European bands (Mortuary, Soilwork, etc.) in years to come, but he also stuck with Scarve during the never-ending lineup changes that plagued their career leading up to 1996's Six Tears of Sorrow E.P. One of the first metal bands to utilize not one, but two lead vocalists (one clean, one dirty), Scarve introduced this approach on 1998's Opacity E.P., also featuring Fred Bartolomucci (vocals), Alain Germonville (vocals), Sylvain Coudret (guitars), and Julien Thibers (bass). By then, their intentions were clear: to follow in the footsteps of Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory in advancing death metal's flirtation with technology and industrial music. Signing with the Furtive Metal label, the group made their full-length debut on 2000s Translucence, which featured new bassist Philippe Elter and singer Guillaume Bideau (stepping in place of Bartolomucci), and was produced by none less than death metal expert Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, In Flames, etc.). Bergstrand was once again on hand for Scarve's futuristic follow-ups, 2002's Luminiferous, and 2004's Irradiant -- both of them released by France's Listenable Records. The latter also instituted new members Pierrick Valence (vocals) and Lo?c Colin (bass) to the lineup.