Paramaecium (sometimes typeset as Paramæcium) was an Australian death-doom metal band formed in 1991, 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." There is use of symphonic instrumentation like flutes, cellos and violins on some albums.

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.

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)
  • Ian Arkley – guitar (1999)
  • Steve Palmer – drums (1991–1993)

Timeline

<div style="text-align:left;">

<timeline>

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:95 bottom:90 top:0 right:10

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/2006

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1991

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1991

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)

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

BackgroundColors=bars:bars

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>

</div>

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)

References

  • Paramaecium's official website (Archived)