NECROPHAGIA Vocalist And Founder Frank ‘Killjoy’ Pucci Dies Aged 48
March 18th, 2018
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Frank ‘Killjoy’ Pucci, vocalist and founder of Ohio-based death metal group Necrophagia, died on March 18th, 2018 at the age of 48.
The remaining members of Necrophagia issued the following statement: “We are so shocked and saddened to bring you the news of our dear brother Killjoy passing away this morning. We are at a loss for words. R.I.P brother you are forever in our hearts. We will cherish our moments together forever.”
Frank Pucci was born on November 4th, 1969.
Necrophagia was formed in 1983 by Pucci, its moniker an amalgamation of the Greek words ‘nekron’ (‘corpse’) and ‘phagein’ (‘to eat’).
Debut full-length studio album Season Of The Dead was released in 1987 through New Renaissance Records, the band splitting up soon thereafter. Ready For Death had been laid down to tape in 1986 and had been intended to be Necrophagia’s debut, but was illegally bootlegged in 1990 by Embalming Records, limited to 1,000 vinyl copies. New Renaissance came to an agreement, the bootleg being retrospectively labelled official.
Solo band Killjoy emerged in 1988, sole platter Compelled By Fear undergoing release through Restless Records.
Cabal, named after the 1988 Clive Barker of the same name, cut the lone 1990 LP Midian.
Necrophagia was reformed in 1997, Pucci befriending Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo, who would occupy the guitar position until 2001. 1998 outing Holocausto de la Morte was the lone affair to feature Anselmo, in addition to the 2000 EP Black Blood Vomitorium, both issued via Red Stream.
Necrophagia would go on to release a further four albums, namely; The Divine Art Of Torture (2001), Harvest Ritual Volume I (2005), Death Trip 69 (2011), and WhiteWorm Cathedral (2014).
Black metal project Viking Crown, formed by Anselmo, featured Pucci behind the microphone on its two full-length efforts, namely Innocence From Hell (2000) and Banished Rhythmic Hate (2001). Anselmo handled all instruments and vocals on debut EP Unorthodox Steps Of Ritual, issued in 1999 but recorded five years earlier.
Wurdulak would also explore Pucci’s black metal side, in the form of two records; Ceremony In Flames (2001) and Severed Eyes Of Possession (2002).
The Ravenous ventured into more familiar death metal territory, pairing Pucci with Nuclear Assault bassist Dan Lilker and Autopsy drummer Chris Reifert. 2000 long-player Assembled In Blasphemy arrived through Hammerheart, second offering Blood Delirium emerging in 2003 and additionally including the services of Autopsy guitarist Danny Corales and Abscess axeman Clint Bower.
Sixth Necrophagia studio record proper WhiteWorm Cathedral was released in October 2014 via Season Of Mist.
