Paramaecium

Paramaecium (sometimes typeset as Paramæcium) was an Australian death/doom metal band formed in 1991. There is use of instrumentation like flutes, cellos and violins on some albums. Paramaecium is one of the few doom metal bands that focus on Christian lyrical themes and Christian concepts. According to Doom-metal.com, "what sets Paramaecium apart from other bands in the doom metal scene, is the fact that they are the only Christian death/doom band that made it to the top of the genre."

History

In 1993, Paramaecium released their debut album, Exhumed of the Earth. The band consisted of Andrew Tompkins on vocals and bass, Jason De Ron on guitar, and Jayson Sherlock on drums. The music was inspired by Cathedral, early My Dying Bride and Anathema. The band incorporated flute and violin sounds as well as a soprano alongside the usual musical offerings of death and doom metal.

Paramaecium added rhythm guitarist Chris Burton in 1995 and released their second album, Within the Ancient Forest, which was accompanied by a fantasy novel of the same name written by Tompkins. The album was more diverse and technical, and involved female vocalists, harpsichord, piano, flute and cello.

Sherlock left the band in 1996.

The third album, A Time to Mourn, was released in 1999 and marked the departure of all previous band members except Tompkins. The band no longer had a touring lineup, so guest musicians were used, including guitarist Ian Arkley (formerly of Seventh Angel, Ashen Mortality and My Silent Wake). After a five-year break, Paramaecium returned in 2004 with Echoes from the Ground. The album again featured Tompkins as the only original member, but held firmly to the band's doom and death metal roots while again incorporating soprano and violins.

In 2005, Tompkins started working again with guitarist De Ron on songs for a new album. Early in 2006, drummer Sherlock rejoined the band and they played a series of concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, and NordicFest in Oslo, Norway. The NordicFest appearance in November 2006 marked the official end of Paramaecium, but it was also the official launch of the band under its new name, InExordium. InExordium's name is derived from a Paramaecium song off of Within the Ancient Forest. After InExordium broke up, Sherlock and guitarist Sheldon D'Costa formed Revulsed.

Album concepts

All of Paramaecium's albums have a concept that generally revolves around Christianity and Christian life. Exhumed of the Earth was based around the narrative of the New Testament, particularly the canonical gospels and the Book of Acts. Within the Ancient Forest is based on how Andrew Tompkins became a Christian, and A Time to Mourn is about a life in Christ, addressing the sorts of issues one might face as a modern Christian. Echoes from the Ground is about a young man's journey through the Holy Lands to find a justification for his faith.

Members

Last known lineup

• Andrew Tompkins - bass, vocals, programming (1991–2006)
• Jason De Ron - guitar (1992–1996, 2006)
• Jayson Sherlock - drums (1993–1996, 2006)

Former

• Collin "Mosh" Mynard - guitar (1991–1992)
• Ian Arkley - guitar (1999)
• Mark Orr - drums (1999)
• Mark Kelson - guitar (1997–1999)
• Chris Burton - rhythm guitar (1995–1996)
• Steve Palmer - drums (1991–1993)

Timeline

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Colors =

 id:Vocals    value:red         legend:Vocals,_bass,_keyboards
 id:LGuitar   value:teal        legend:Lead_guitar
 id:RGuitar   value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
 id:Drums     value:orange      legend:Drums
 id:studio    value:black       legend:Studio_album
 id:EP        value:gray(0.55)  legend:Other_release
 id:bars      value:gray(0.95)

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LineData =

layer:back
  at:07/01/1991 color:EP
  at:06/10/1993 color:studio
  at:06/19/1996 color:studio
  at:01/01/1997 color:EP
  at:04/17/1999 color:studio
  at:08/13/2004 color:studio

BarData =

 bar:Andrew  text:"Andrew Tompkins"
 bar:Mosh    text:"Collin Maynard"
 bar:Jason   text:"Jason De Ron"
 bar:Mark    text:"Mark Kelson"
 bar:Ian     text:"Ian Arkley"
 bar:Chris   text:"Chris Burton"
 bar:Steve   text:"Steve Palmer"
 bar:Jayson  text:"Jayson Sherlock"
 bar:Mark2   text:"Mark Orr"

PlotData=

width:11
 bar:Andrew  from:start      till:end color:Vocals
 bar:Mosh    from:start      till:01/01/1992 color:LGuitar
 bar:Jason   from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1996 color:LGuitar
 bar:Mark    from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/1999 color:LGuitar
 bar:Ian     from:01/01/1999 till:12/31/1999 color:LGuitar
 bar:Chris   from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:RGuitar
 bar:Steve   from:start      till:01/01/1993 color:Drums
 bar:Jayson  from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/1996 color:Drums
 bar:Mark2   from:01/01/1999 till:12/31/1999 color:Drums
 bar:Jason   from:01/01/2006 till:12/31/2006 color:LGuitar
 bar:Jayson  from:01/01/2006 till:12/31/2006 color:Drums

width:3
 bar:Mosh    from:start      till:01/01/1992 color:RGuitar
 bar:Jason   from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:RGuitar
 bar:Mark    from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/1999 color:RGuitar
 bar:Ian     from:01/01/1999 till:12/31/1999 color:RGuitar
 bar:Jason   from:01/01/2006 till:12/31/2006 color:RGuitar

</timeline>

Discography

As Paramaecium

Studio albums

• Exhumed of the Earth (1993)
• Within the Ancient Forest (1996)
• A Time to Mourn (1999)
• Echoes from the Ground (2004)

Demos

• Silent Carnage (1991)

EPs

• Repentance (1996)

As InExordium

Studio albums

• InExordium (2008)

External links

• Paramaecium's official website (Archived)