Broken Hope

Broken Hope
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenreDeath metal
Years active1988–2001, 2012–present
LabelsMetal Blade, Century Media
MembersJeremy Wagner
Damian Leski
Mike Miczek
Matt Szlachta
Diego Soria
Past membersJoe Ptacek
Brian Griffin
Ryan Stanek
Shaun Glass
Dave Duff
Ed Hughes
Sean Baxter
Duane Timlin
Chuck Wepfer
Websitebrokenhope.com

Broken Hope is an American death metal band from Chicago, Illinois.

History

Broken Hope was founded in 1988. They were known as a mid-paced style death metal band with low-pitched growling vocals. They were active for roughly twelve years, recording five albums between 1991 and 1999.

The early lineup of Broken Hope comprised Joe Ptacek (vocals), Jeremy Wagner (rhythm guitar), Brian Griffin (lead guitar), and Ryan Stanek (drums). They signed a deal with the Grindcore/RedLight Label and recorded their debut album, Swamped in Gore. AllMusic reviewer John Book compared Swamped in Gore to Death's 1987 debut album Scream Bloody Gore.

Following the release of Swamped in Gore, Metal Blade Records signed the band, who released their second album, The Bowels of Repugnance, in 1993. The band's third album, 1995's Repulsive Conception, reached CMJ New Music Monthly's Metal Top 25 chart, as did the follow-up, 1997's Loathing, an album that explored political domination, necrophilia, and safe sex.

The band moved to indie label Martyr Records for their fifth album, Grotesque Blessings, released in 1999. Rumors of the band's breakup circulated at this time. This also marks the last album Joe Ptacek played. In April 2002, it was reported by Jeremy Wagner that after being in limbo for about a year, Broken Hope had broken up.

In a 2007 interview, Wagner explained that band dysfunction and a lack of support in Europe from Metal Blade contributed to the split. Wagner added that the band members had met "face to face" for the first time in five years and discussed a possible reunion.

On January 20, 2010, vocalist Joe Ptacek committed suicide. He was 37 years old.

The band reunited in 2012 with returning members Shaun Glass and Jeremy Wagner and new members Mike Miczek and Damian Leski, playing a North American tour with Obituary, Decrepit Birth, Jungle Rot, and Encrust.

Omen of Disease was released September 27, 2013 via Century Media Records.

Former drummer Ryan Stanek died in Wisconsin on March 1, 2015 from a heart attack. He was 42 years old.

Broken Hope's seventh album, Mutilated and Assimilated, was released on June 23, 2017.

Band members

Current members

Former members

Session members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

EPs

Other releases

Demos

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ankeny, Jason. "Broken Hope - Biography". Allmusic (Macrovision Corporation). Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  2. ↑ Book, John. "Swamped in Gore - Overview". Allmusic (Macrovision Corporation). Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Metal Top 25". CMJ New Music Monthly (24). College Media, Inc.: 46 August 1995. ISSN 1074-6978. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Metal Top 25". CMJ New Music Monthly (45). College Media, Inc.: 48 May 1997. ISSN 1074-6978. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  5. ↑ Iwasald, Scott (April 2, 1997). "Broken Hope Grinds onto Scene; Grip Inc. Returns". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. p. C5. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  6. ↑ Stewart-Panko, Kevin (February 2000). "Aggressive Tendencies". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 27, 2009.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ "Broken Hope's Jeremy Wagner: Where It All Went Wrong". Blabbermouth.net. April 2, 2002. Archived from the original on January 14, 2004. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Broken Hope to Reunite?". Blabbermouth.net. July 13, 2007. Retrieved November 27, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ Pratt, Greg (January 22, 2010). "Broken Hope Vocalist Joe Ptacek Dead at 37". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved March 7, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ↑ "Former Broken Hope Vocalist Commits Suicide - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Doc Rock. "January to June 2015". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved March 7, 2015.