Despised Icon is a deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. The band was formed by members of Neuraxis, In Dying Days and Heaven's Cry, in January 2002.

The band is noted for the use of two full-time vocalists, Alexandre Erian, who sings using a mid-range screaming technique, and Steve Marois for the extremely low growls, high pitched screams, and "pig squeals". Despised Icon is known for its work in the underground music industry, having been met with both critical acclaim and appraisal for its efforts in deathcore music.

History

The beginning (2002-2005)

Despised Icon entered the underground scene during January 2002, releasing its debut album on October 2, 2002 entitled, Consumed by Your Poison, signing with Galy Records. The band began touring after the release of the album, which would later be re-recorded with a new lineup and record label, forming a re-release version of Consumed by Your Poison by Century Media Records in 2006.

Due to a new lineup change, 2004 marked a shift in the band's sound, replacing female vocalist Marie-Hélène Landry with the band's original drummer, Alexandre Erian, as the new vocalist. The vacant position of the band's drummer was filled by Alexandre Pelletier, forming a new lineup for Despised Icon. Following the band's new lineup change, the band recorded their first EP, Syndicated Murderers in 2004, and a split CD with the death metal band, Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus, and the record label, Relapse Records, in 2005.

Additionally, 2005 marked the release of The Healing Process, which also began Despised Icon's record deal with Century Media Records.

Underground success (2005-present)

Despised Icon toured The Healing Process in 2005, alongside artists including Cryptopsy, Vader, Suffocation, Aborted, Immolation, Deicide and continued touring into 2006 with Through the Eyes of the Dead, Ed Gein, Behemoth, Hatebreed, Exodus, Black Dahlia Murder and Napalm Death. During the same year, Consumed by Your Poison was re-released by Century Media Records.

The band's newest album, The Ills of Modern Man was recorded and released in 2007 with the record label Century Media Records. That summer, they toured supporting Job for a Cowboy along with The Faceless and A Life Once Lost. In the fall of that year, they toured with The Acacia Strain and Full Blown Chaos.

Members

Current members

• Alexandre Erian - Vocals
• Steve Marois - Vocals
• Al Glassman - Guitar
• Eric Jarrin - Guitar
• Sebastien Piché - Bass
• Alexandre Pelletier - Drums

Former members

• Marie-Hélène Landry - Vocals
• Kevin McCaughey - Live Vocals (The vocalist for Ion Dissonance. He did approximately 35 shows when Steve Marois was ill)
• Yannick St-Amand - Guitar

Discography

• 2002 - Consumed by Your Poison LP (Galy Records)
• 2004 - Syndicated Murderers EP
• 2005 - Split CD with Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus (Relapse Records)
• 2005 - The Healing Process LP (Century Media Records)
• 2006 - Consumed by Your Poison Re-release (Century Media Records)
• 2007 - The Ills of Modern Man LP (Century Media Records)

Trivia

• Despised Icon's first show in the United States was in Port Huron, Michigan at the North Grotto.

• Only a week onto tour with The Red Chord, Through the Eyes of the Dead, All Shall Perish, and See You Next Tuesday, the band's van broke down, stranding them in Georgia in June 2007.

• Alexandre Erian played drums in Neuraxis and on Despised Icon's Consumed by Your Poison.

• Eric Jarrin plays guitar in the progressive band Heaven's Cry.

• The band has recorded their latest album, The Ills Of Modern Man, at the Projecson recording studio, in Rouyn-Noranda.

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