Combichrist is one of the most popular projects in the electro-industrial movement called aggrotech. The group was founded by Andy La Plagua, a member of the Norwegian band Icon of Coil.
La Plagua created a project in Atlanta in 2003 with the album The Joy of Gunz (Out of Line label).
Combichrist album The Joy of Gunz (2003-2005)
Combichrist's first album The Joy of Gunz was released in 2003. Thanks to the original, aggressive and new sound, the brainchild of La Plagua won a significant number of hearts. On Halloween of that year, a limited edition Kiss The Blade EP was released with 667 discs. They sold out in less than a week.
In 2004, the EP Sex, Drogen und Industrial was number 1 on the DAC Charts for several weeks. When Sex, Drogen und Industrial was released, a 666 white vinyl edition of the EP Blut Royale came out.
Album Everybody Hates You (2005-2006)
In 2005, Everybody Hates You was released. La Plagua then began referring to his music as Techno Body Music, or TBM. The band released the song This is TBM on the Techno Body Music compilation. They played the song live during the 2005 shows, adding vocals.
No vocal version of the instrumental track has been released. But instead, the lyrics were reworked for the Electrohead track. After this release, Andy La Plagua stopped referring to his music as TBM. Army On The Dance Floor producer Courtney Klein joined the band as a session keyboardist and drummer.
The full-length album included two tracks that became club classics. These are This Shit Will Fuck You Up and This Is My Rifle. It was also the project's US debut on Metropolis Records.
This was followed by the release of the Get Your Body Beat EP. Its title track hit the top 10 on the Billboard singles chart for the first time. The Get Your Body Beat single was specially released on July 6, 2006 (6/6/6). It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard chart for six weeks.
The music video for the single was included on the DVD release of the punk film The Gene Generation. The band embarked on a North American tour with KMFDM shortly after the release of the single.
What the F**k Is Wrong with You People? (2007-2009)
In 2007, the album What the F**k Is Wrong with You People? was released. It has gained some praise and critical acclaim.
The album featured the single Get Your Body Beat (2006). It had a significant amount of aggressive beats, harsh vocals and fast beats. WTFIWWYP? was an energetic, adrenaline-fueled album.
Combichrist played on the Gothic Cruise in 2008 and released a limited CDr EP. It was only available to ticket holders. Limited to 200 copies, it contained 7 tracks, of which 6 were exclusives.
In 2008, the group's audience increased. All thanks to support on the Mindless Self Indulgence tour with Frost EP: Sent to Destroy.
Combichrist: Today We Are All Demons (2009-2010)
Producer/songwriter Pull Out Kings joined the band as keyboardist in 2008. And began work on the album Today We Are All Demons.
According to an exchange with "fan" Trevor Friedrich of Imperative Reaction, he was asked to join as drummer with Joe Letz in 2008. He replaced keyboardist Courtney Klein.
The band released Today We Are All Demons on January 20, 2009. The band went on a North American tour with Black Light Burns. And also on a European tour with Rammstein.
For the European tour, Trevor was temporarily replaced by Mark Jackson of VNV Nation. Shut Up and Bleed with WASTE was used as the soundtrack to the horror film The Collector. Today We Are All Demons was featured on the Underworld: Rise of the Lycans soundtrack.
Combichrist: Making Monsters (2010-2014)
The latest album, Making Monsters, was released digitally on August 31, 2010. And on CD - September 28, 2010. The band began touring in late 2010 with Aesthetic Perfection and iVardensphere.
In 2011, the bands revealed that Combichrist would be supporting Rammstein on a North American tour. La Plagua announced that Monsters on Tour Part II will take place with Rammstein concerts.
Monsters on Tour Part II featured the same track listing as the 2010 tour. But it was with the addition of Angel Spit and God Module. The song Bottle of Pain (2012) was released for the Underworld: Awakening soundtrack.
We Love You (2014-2016)
In October 2013, the band's frontman announced that an album would be released in 2014. On December 10, 2013 Combichrist announced the title of their seventh album.
The seventh album We Love You added new electronic motifs reminiscent of dubstep.
This Is Where Death Begins (2016)
This Is Where Death Begins is the eighth studio album, which was released on June 3, 2016. The album took the band further from their original electronic sound towards rock and metal.
Make Europe Great Again (MEGA) Tour
In February 2016, it was announced that the new album would be released in May. La Plagua published fragments, clips, hints of guest artists on the group's official Instagram page.
A European tour is planned for June and July. Nick Rossi joined the band as a second drummer/percussionist.
At the Out Of Line festival in Berlin, the band performed without keyboardist Z. Marr. He left the group for other projects (it turned out that he joined <PIG>). He was replaced by Elliott Berlin from the bands Aesthetic Perfection and Telemark.
On April 9, Andy La Plagua played a solo show at the Complex in Glendale, California. The set list included tracks: Brain Bypass, Adult Content, Without Emotions, God Bless, Bulletfuck, Spit, God. As well as Wrapped in Plastic, The Kill, etc.
April 18 announced that the album will be called This is Where Death Begins. The release date is June 3, 2016. Available on double vinyl and CD. The version included a live recording of the Complex, LA, show.
One Fire (2019)
After the release of the track Broken: United (2017), a new release of One Fire is planned for the spring. Since it was moved from the fall of 2018. The release of the record was followed by a US tour and European shows.
Joe Letz announced his departure on January 17, after 13 years as the main drummer. La Plagua released a statement confirming that "Joe's departure has nothing to do with the band. It's about recovery, a different life, and wanting to spend more time with your family."
