Immolation

Immolation grew out of Rigor Mortis, a band formed in Yonkers, New York, in May 1986 by Andrew Sakowicz, Dave Wilkinson and guitarist Robert Vigna. When Sakowicz left in early 1988, Ross Dolan took over on bass and vocals, and the band became Immolation. Two studio demos followed in 1988 and 1989.

Their debut album, Dawn of Possession, came out on Roadrunner Records in 1991. The band then moved to Metal Blade for Here in After (1996), Failures for Gods (1999) and Close to a World Below (2000). Alex Hernandez replaced drummer Craig Smilowski in 1996.

Guitarist Bill Taylor replaced Thomas Wilkinson in 2001 ahead of Unholy Cult (2002, Listenable), and drummer Steve Shalaty joined in 2003. After Harnessing Ruin (2005) and Shadows in the Light (2007), the band signed to Nuclear Blast for Majesty and Decay (2010) and Kingdom of Conspiracy (2013). Taylor left in 2016 and was replaced by Alex Bouks.

Atonement (2017) and Acts of God (2022) kept Immolation among death metal’s most respected veterans. Their twelfth studio album, Descent, produced, mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren, was released by Nuclear Blast on 10 April 2026, with guest vocals from Dan Lilker on two tracks.

Current line-up: Ross Dolan (vocals, bass), Robert Vigna (lead guitar), Alex Bouks (rhythm guitar), Steve Shalaty (drums).