Ciribus

F

ounded by drummer and vocalist Austin Spence Ciribus started after he left Demize to move to northern California, north of San Francisco, to launch an original death metal act where none had existed. Recruiting the services of Aaron Johnson (guitars/vocals) and Luie Gamboa (bass/vocals) they released the demo Crossing the River Styx (1998) before releasing the EP proper, Decimation Is Inevitable (1999), on the 'Brutal Sound Records' label, featuring Gabriel Lopez on lead vocals. The disc got coverage in prominent metal music fan magazines like Metal Maniacs, PIT and S.O.D.

In 2002 Ciribus released their sophomore EP effort Septic Regurgitant on 'Zombie Flesh Records'. On this release their unique style of distorted jazz, technical death and quirky tempos were fully developed. The disc was an extra special sick brand of death metal delivering all the demands of the genre including grotesque lyrics, grinding guitars and growling vocals. In early 2002, after the release, their ranks expanded to include the services of full time singer Johnny Helvete left vacant by the departing Lopez who was not featured on the recording. The full time vocals role was also occupied by Sage Behnke during an unknown past period.