Asphyx

The Profile

Asphyx are a Dutch death/doom metal band formed in 1987, known for blending raw, old-school death metal with oppressive doom passages. Early lineups featured Martin van Drunen (vocals/bass), Bob Bagchus (drums) and Eric Daniels (guitars). Debut The Rack (1991) and follow-up Last One on Earth (1992) cemented their status; after hiatuses they returned with Death... The Brutal Way (2009).

From the reviews: The Rack (1991) was intentionally recorded with a very small budget for the rawest sound; Asphyx fuse straightforward death metal with doom-paced sections; Last One on Earth is described as ultra-violent, mid-tempo and suffocating; Embrace the Death was composed in 1988–1989 and released in 1996 from recovered original recordings; Martin van Drunen is ex-Pestilence; by 1990 their reputation had Paradise Lost opening for them in Hardenberg.

Three DeBaser reviews fix Asphyx as a Dutch death/doom force: raw, unpolished and crushing. The Rack (1991) debuts with intentionally rough production and doom-laced death metal. Last One on Earth (1992) is oppressive and violent without chasing speed. Embrace the Death (recorded ’88–’89, released 1996) captures their early death-doom blueprint. Van Drunen’s vocals and the Daniels/Bagchus backbone dominate the praise.