Band Biographies: CLERIC

CLERIC was founded in 2007 as a fuzz-laden three-piece by guitarist/vocalist Chris Richardson (Kaliya, ex-Kill The Client), bassist John Schiller (Dead to a Dying World, Tyrannosorceress) and drummer Zach Robin (Tyrannosorceress). The trio added second guitarist Andrew Hawkins (Baring Teeth) the following year and began to experiment with more caustic sounds. After briefly splitting up in 2009 with each member going on to form their respective other projects, CLERIC reformed for the Texas festival No Thanks Fest V without Andrew Hawkins. Heavily influenced by death metal legends Asphyx and Bolt Thrower, the band recorded its first demo and recruited vocalist Zac Christian (Tyrannosorceress) shortly after.

In 2012, guitarist Andrew Hawkins rejoined the chaos, and the Texas death metallers released their debut Gratum Inferno to critical acclaim in 2013. A year later, Hawkins left the group again and was replaced by guitarist Cody Tatum. With renewed energy from a fresh perspective, the quartet began work on their second full-length Serpent Psalms, a chaotic amalgam of sheer brutality and dark melodies that set a landscape of pure terror and despair. Upon completion of the new album, founding bassist John Schiller and guitarist Cody Tatum left CLERIC and were replaced by bassist Todd Thompson and guitarist Ben Cooper respectively.

FFO: Asphyx, Benediction, Bolt Thrower, Dead Congregation

CLERIC at the time of recording:

Zac Christian – vocals

Chris Richardson – guitar

Cody Tatum – guitar

John Schiller – bass

Zach Jobin – drums

Current lineup:

Zac Christian – vocals

Chris Richardson – guitar

Ben Cooper – guitar

Todd Thompson – bass

Zach Jobin – drums