BiografieFormed in early 2000 by guitarist/singer/songwriter Victor Griffin, bassist Lee Abney, & drummer Tim Tomaselli…Place of Skulls (a biblical reference to Golgotha) carries the torch of prior Griffin & Abney bands such as Death Row and Pentagram in the ever-burgeoning underground scene of doom metal. But as their sound continues to expand beyond those boundaries…they incorporate intricate dynamics in their songs that few bands of the same genre explore...and lyrically reflect upon their spiritual beliefs, faith, God, politics, and the search for peace. Having stepped outside the proverbial box of “doom metal”, Place of Skulls opens the door of accessibility to a whole other cross section of heavy rock enthusiast. But by no means should this be taken lightly. Their sound is as crushing and molten live as ever and no less threatening than any of their musical counterparts in volume. But it hasn’t been an easy road. Their tumultuous story has had more than it’s fair share of ups and downs.



After a self-released 3-song demo/EP and live album simply entitled “LIVE” got the buzz going…Guy Pinhas (The Obsessed, Acid King) heard the band and quickly made a deal to release their first album on Frank Kozik’s Man’s Ruin Records…a company he worked for at the time. However, when the recording sessions were completed, the album entitled “Nailed” was suddenly put on hold when Man’s Ruin Records decided to close its doors. Eventually Guy approached Greg Anderson of Southernlord Recordings who had already gotten wind of the band and a deal was struck. So the album finally found it’s release in mid 2001…and the ride was just beginning.



As the band rolled into '02, they now had a couple of years of self-booked shows and tours, two self-released cd’s, and their first official full length debut album under their belt. But the foundation was shaken again when Lee Abney left the band following a tour with Spirit Caravan for personal reasons.



Before the dust could settle, Victor began talks with friend and peer Scott “Wino” Weinrich (The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, Hidden Hand, Shrinebuilder) about a possible collaboration. Wino agreed and joined up with Victor & Tim to begin work on a second Place of Skulls album. But a bass player to replace Lee was still needed...and so entered Ron Holzner (Trouble, Debris Inc., Earthen Grave) of Trouble fame to fill his shoes. It seemed like the logical choice since he was already a friend with everyone in the band.



By this time the pedigree of the band had become very impressive and the press was already considering them to be a veritable doom super group. But logistically it wasn’t to be. With Victor and Tim based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Wino in Maryland, and Ron in Chicago…after several rehearsals, it became clear they would need to ease the stress of the traveling requirements of such a diversely located band. So Greg Turley (Pentagram, Countershaft), nephew of Victor, was invited to step in for Ron to record what would become “With Vision”, their second release on Southernlord Recordings.



After “With Vision's” release, it became even more apparent that the locality of the members would be more of a hurdle then they'd anticipated. With Greg and Wino making their respective homes adjacent to the Washington D.C. beltway…subsequently, this particular line-up never made it out of the gates for touring in support of the new album. Considered by many to be a milestone collaboration…many fans still call it their favorite Place of Skulls release.



Remarkably, even while in the midst of this major personnel change came the release of the incomparable “Love Through Blood” EP on Blood & Iron Records and Outlaw Recordings. This was a collection of 4 songs recorded during the “Nailed” sessions that Southernlord had decided to pass on. Now given new life, the material on “Love Through Blood” would bridge the gap that lay ahead between “With Vision” and “The Black Is Never Far”. Also during this same time, Victor teamed up with Outlaw Recordings to release a solo album of demos & experimental songs entitled “Late For An Early Grave”.



Thriving on the live performance, Victor and Tim were growing anxious and discouraged while searching for another bass player. But their prayers would soon be answered in an email from Dennis Cornelius (ex-Revelation/Oversoul). After an impressive audition, Dennis was given the nod on bass and Place of Skulls was back to a working 3-piece unit just as they’d begun. But once again, it was short-lived…suddenly came the surprising departure of Tim due to his own personal issues just weeks before a European tour. With a tour looming and pressure building, drummer Pete Campbell (The Mighty Nimbus, Buzzard, Sixty Watt Shaman) was quickly worked in for the tour. Afterwards, having had time to regroup and reflect on his situation, Tim rejoined the band for another successful string of shows…and what would soon become their most acclaimed recording to date.



Having signed with German label Exile On Mainstream Records, the band once again entered Lakeside Studios in Knoxville to record the dynamically charged “The Black Is Never Far”. Taking his songwriting skills to another level since the first two albums, Victor followed up with some of his most melodic & heavy, yet genre-bending compositions ever. With the enthusiastic and aggressive bass style that Dennis brought to the band…along with his own songwriting talents, the three discovered new Place of Skulls blood was lurking just beneath the surface as they once again embarked on another successful European tour and American shows.



Despite all the adversity, things had progressed with relative success to this point. But the calmness wasn’t to last as Dennis announced plans to return to his hometown of Oklahoma City. Though the line-up of the band was threatened once again, they were still able to come together for another European tour even after Dennis' move. But by this time, Victor had had enough of breaking up and putting it back together…and decided to take a hiatus from the stress and attend to his own declining personal and spiritual life. During this time, having emerged from many of his own personal struggles since leaving the band…Lee rejoined Victor and Tim to slowly and methodically begin to awaken Place of Skulls once again.

With a new album and tour now on the horizon, Place of Skulls looks primed to re-establish their position among their fans and peers.



Guitar/Vocals

Victor Griffin 2000-Present

Scott "Wino" Weinrich 2003



Drums

Tim Tomaselli 2005-Present

Pete Campbell 2004

Tim Tomaselli 2000-2004



Bass/Vocals

Lee Abney 2007-Present

Dennis Cornelius 2003-2007

Greg Turley 2003

Ron Holzner 2003

Lee Abney 2000-2002 Quelle: http://www.placeofskulls.com/home.htmDiscografie2000 - Death Row Reunion 2000 (Split)

2000 - Place Of Skulls (Demo)

2000 - Live

2001 - Demo II

2002 - Place Of Skulls (Single)

2002 - Nailed

2003 - With Vision

2005 - Love Through Blood (EP)

2006 - The Black Is Never Far

2010 - As A Dog Returns
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