One of the more unique artists in the death metal field, Atrocity began as vocalist Alex Krull's brainchild in the late '80s. Teamed with guitarist Mathias Roderer, bassist Oliver Klassen, drummer Michael Schwarz, and guitarist Richard Scharff, they released a single in 1990, "Blue Blood," followed by their debut release, Hallucinations. Follow-up album Longing for Death was released in 1992 and bassist Markus Knapp replaced Klassen for 1994's Blut, an album whose gothic touches and vampiric theme alienated many older fans but gained them a new following among the new goth metal crowd. The band split from Roadrunner Records and continued making more goth-sounding metal on Massacre Records. The band's lineup and stylistic changes -- including electronic elements -- have continued into the new millennium. ~ Bradley Torreano