Pestilence rejoined by bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling
Obscura bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling has rejoined resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metallers Pestilence after a 15-year break. Thesseling, known for his six-string fretless signature, played on Pestilence's fourth album, "Spheres". "After such a long period of time it's great to be part of Pestilence again," Jeroen says in a statement. "I'm convinced that this cooperation will result in brilliant technical death metal.
"In order to avoid misunderstandings I want to emphasize that I will continue to work with my German colleagues of Obscura as well."
Adds Pestilence guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli: "I'm very happy to welcome Jeroen once more to the Pestilence camp. Also a big thanks goes out to Tony Choy, who succesfully participated on the 'Resurrection' album and tour. We all wish him the best of luck in the future!!! Tony is just too busy that we had to find a suitable replacement. I'm convinced that Jeroen, just like Tony on 'Resurrection', will put his signature on this new Pestilence album, that fans really don't have to compare these two great bass players with each other. Both have a great style. Also, I would like to stress that, by no means this collaboration with Jeroen will result in a 'Spheres' part 2, since this is not our goal. Our goal is to create the most brutal and technical Pestilence album ever. I'm currently composing new songs with the eight-string Ibanez, which will give Pestilence a new dimension in our own style. Key words: low, chuncky and a-tonal morbidity!!! So be ready to be blown away!!!"
Thesseling joined the German progressive death metal band Obscura in late 2007 and played on the group's second full-length album, "Cosmogenesis", released in February this year.
Fan-filmed video footage of Pestilence's July 25, 2009 performance on the Aardschok stage (powered by Jägermeister) at this year's Zwarte Cross (Black Cross) festival in Lichtenvoorde, Holland can be viewed below (clip uploaded by Erhan Düzey).
Pestilence's latest album, "Resurrection Macabre", was released on March 13 in Europe (April 14 in the U.S.) via Holland's Mascot Records. The band recorded a total of 14 songs during the session at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark - 11 new tracks and three classic Pestilence cuts (as chosen by the fans) to be included on the limited-edition first pressing: "Out Of The Body", "Chemo Therapy" and "Lost Souls". Patrick has previously described the material as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal.
Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.
