Infant Annihilator: The Provocative Force of Technical Deathcore
In the landscape of extreme music, few names evoke as much controversy and technical awe as Infant Annihilator. Formed in 2012 in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom, this English-American ensemble has carved out a niche by blending blistering musical precision with a satirical, shock-oriented approach to lyrical themes. Known for their irreverent imagery and extreme compositions, the group operates primarily as a studio project, challenging the traditional boundaries of the deathcore genre.
The band's identity is built upon a foundation of deathcore—a fusion of death metal and metalcore—and technical death metal, characterized by complex rhythms and high-speed execution. While their music is lauded for its skill, their lyrics are deliberately provocative, often targeting religious institutions and exploring dark, taboo subjects to create a sense of shock and satire.
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Key Facts
- Origin: Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK.
- Genres: Deathcore and Technical Death Metal.
- Active Years: 2012–present.
- Core Members: Aaron Kitcher (drums), Eddie Pickard (guitars/bass), and Dickie Allen (vocals).
- Status: Primarily a studio project; they have not toured despite stating it as a possibility.
- Notable Achievement: Their second album charted on multiple Billboard lists, including Top Heatseekers and Independent Albums.
The Evolution of the Band
Formation and Early Years (2012–2013)
Infant Annihilator was founded by guitarist Eddie Pickard and drummer Aaron Kitcher. The band's name was a parody of death metal stereotypes, derived from a song of the same name written by Kitcher's previous band, As the Blessed Fall. The duo initially created homemade recordings using software on Pickard's computer.
After sharing instrumentals online, they connected with American vocalist Dan Watson via Facebook. This collaboration led to their debut album, The Palpable Leprosy of Pollution (often abbreviated as The PLOP), released on December 12, 2012. The band gained rapid viral fame, particularly through the music video for "Decapitation Fornication," which garnered 20,000 likes within a month.
The Dickie Allen Era (2014–Present)
Following Dan Watson's departure in early 2014 due to creative and contractual disagreements, the band sought a new voice. In late 2014, while drumming for the band Desolated, Aaron Kitcher met Massachusetts native Dickie Allen. Impressed by Allen's vocal capabilities, the band officially announced him as their new vocalist on June 1, 2016.
This lineup shift coincided with the release of their second album, The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch (The EGG), on July 29, 2016. The album marked a commercial breakthrough, appearing on several Billboard charts, including Top Rock Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums. They followed this success with their third studio album, The Battle of Yaldabaoth (The BOY), released on September 11, 2019.
Recent Developments and Future Projects
On October 15, 2024, the band released the EP Mister Sister Fister: Re-Conception. This project served as a remake of material from a previous band that Pickard and Kitcher had been involved with, featuring vocals from both Dickie Allen and Alex Teyen. Alongside this release, the band confirmed that a fourth studio album is currently in development.
Musical Style and Controversies
Infant Annihilator's sound is a cocktail of extreme subgenres, including slam death metal, grindcore, and mathcore (a technical, dissonant style of hardcore punk). Their influences range from the early deathcore of Bring Me the Horizon and Carnifex to the eclectic sounds of System of a Down and Slipknot.
The band's lyrical content is intentionally extreme, focusing on themes such as infanticide, murder, and the history of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. This commitment to shock value led to a brief incident in September 2017, where Spotify and iTunes removed their catalog for being "too offensive," though the music was restored after three days.
Band Overview and Discography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Lineup | Aaron Kitcher, Eddie Pickard, Dickie Allen |
| Studio Albums | The Palpable Leprosy of Pollution (2012), The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch (2016), The Battle of Yaldabaoth (2019) |
| EPs | Mister Sister Fister: Re-Conception (2024) |
| Key Singles | "Decapitation Fornication", "Motherless Miscarriage", "Three Bastards" |
| Spinoffs | Black Tongue |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Infant Annihilator perform live shows?
No. Despite mentioning that touring is a possibility, Infant Annihilator has operated exclusively as a studio project since its inception.
Why is the band's lyrical content so controversial?
The band uses satirical and deliberately provocative themes, often focusing on dark subjects and the history of abuse in the Catholic Church, to create a shock-oriented experience that mirrors the extremity of their music.
Who is the current vocalist of the band?
The current vocalist is Dickie Allen, a Massachusetts native who joined the band in 2016 after the departure of original vocalist Dan Watson.
What are the primary musical influences of Infant Annihilator?
They are influenced by various extreme genres including deathcore, slam death metal, and mathcore, citing artists such as The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and Thy Art Is Murder.
Has the band ever been censored?
Yes. In September 2017, their music was temporarily removed from Spotify and iTunes for being too offensive, although they were reinstated on both platforms after three days.