American doom metal band formed in Aurora, Illinois in 1979. Long-running lineup: Eric Wagner (vocals, 1979-1997, 2000-2008, died 2021), Rick Wartell (guitar), Bruce Franklin (guitar), and various rhythm sections. Foundational to American doom metal alongside Saint Vitus and Pentagram.
Seven studio albums starting with Psalm 9 (1984). Best-known releases include The Skull (1985), Trouble (1990, produced by Rick Rubin), and Manic Frustration (1992). The band's lyrical content originally drew from Christian themes; this distinguished them from peers in the early American doom scene.
