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Dying Fetus

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Upcoming Events

Aftershock Festival 2025
Aftershock Festival 2025

2025 10-04 on stage

Get ready to witness the West Coast's ultimate rock, punk, and metal pilgrimage as Aftershock Festival returns to Sacramento's iconic Discovery Park from October 2nd to 5th, 2025. Now in its 13th year, Aftershock has cemented its reputation as a must-attend event, drawing over 160,000 music fans from all 50 states and over 30 countries in previous years. This four-day destination festival consistently delivers a powerhouse lineup of genre titans and rising stars, promising an unparalleled experience for every headbanger and music enthusiast. Aftershock 2025 is set to be bigger and bolder than ever, featuring an impressive roster of over 115 bands performing across four stages. Headliners like Blink-182, Deftones (playing a special hometown show), Korn, and Bring Me The Horizon are poised to ignite the crowds with their electrifying performances. Beyond the main acts, the festival boasts an incredible depth of talent, including highly anticipated reunions like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Chiodos, rare performances, and a strong showing of California's own vibrant rock and metal scene. Whether you're a die-hard fan of classic anthems, the raw power of nu-metal, or the cutting edge of genre-blending rock, Aftershock's meticulously curated lineup ensures there's something to fuel every passion. Beyond the stages, Aftershock Festival offers a complete immersive experience. Set against the scenic backdrop of Discovery Park where the American River meets the Sacramento River, attendees can expect a lively atmosphere filled with a diverse array of food and drink options, engaging art installations, and various other entertainment. The festival has become a significant cultural and economic driver for Sacramento, bringing an estimated $30 million economic impact to the region. With its commitment to showcasing the best in rock, punk, and metal, Aftershock 2025 is not just a festival; it's a celebration of a vibrant global community and a testament to the enduring power of heavy music.

Band Timeline

1991

Formation of Dying Fetus in Maryland

Dying Fetus was formed in 1991 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland by John Gallagher on guitar and vocals and Jason Netherton on bass and vocals. The band began seriously developing when they added guitarist and vocalist Nick Speleos in 1992. Due to a lack of a dedicated drummer, John Gallagher temporarily handled drum duties. This period of early work resulted in the 1993 demo Bathe In Entrails, marking the band's initial steps into the death metal scene.
1993-1996

Early Lineup Changes and Debut Releases

In late 1993, drummer Rob Belton and guitarist Brian Latta joined the band, replacing departing members. This new four-piece lineup recorded the Infatuation with Malevolence demo in early 1994. Both early demos were released in 1995 as a compilation through Wild Rags Records. Their first full-length album, Purification through Violence, came out in 1996 on Pulverizer Records, showcasing a refined death metal style combining heavy riffing and slam elements. Notably, this album featured seven original tracks and a cover of Napalm Death's 'Scum'. Drummer shifts continued with Casey Buckler briefly joining in 1995.
1996-2000

Touring and Rising Underground Prominence

Between 1996 and 2000, Dying Fetus relied heavily on self-promotion through sporadic touring, including their first full US tour alongside Kataklysm and Monstrosity in 1996. After some drumming changes, Kevin Talley solidified the position by 1997. Signing with German label Morbid Records in 1998 generated exposure in Europe while they self-released work in North America. Their second album, Killing on Adrenaline (1998), and the Grotesque Impalement EP (1999) elevated their status with strong underground following, supported by energetic live performances and their first headlining US tour in 1999.
2000-2003

Relapse Records Signing and 'Destroy the Opposition' Album

In 2000, Dying Fetus was signed by Relapse Records, a notable underground metal label. They recorded their third full-length album, Destroy the Opposition, at Hit and Run Studios in Maryland. Released in 2000, the album marked an evolution in songwriting with heavier political themes while enhancing their signature brutal death metal style. This period also saw lineup changes but solidified John Gallagher's role as the core member and driving force behind the band's musical direction and production.

Albums

dying-fetus_8th_album
Wrong One to Fuck With
11 tracks
2017
dying-fetus_9th_album
Make Them Beg for Death
10 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

John Gallagher

1991

Guitar

Trey Williams

2007

John Gallagher

1993

Lead vocals

Sean Beasley

2001

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Derek Christopher Boyer

2001
2001

John Gallagher

1991
1994

Drums (drum set)

Sparky Voyles

1998
2001

Bruce Greig

2001
2002

Jason Netherton

1991
2001

Kevin Talley

1997
2001

Story of Dying Fetus

Dying Fetus, the purveyors of brutal death metal, emerged from Upper Marlboro, Maryland in 1991. The project, founded by guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher and bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton, quickly established a notorious reputation. The band`s name, deliberately chosen for its offensiveness by the young musicians, has become synonymous with their extreme sound.

Initial lineup shifts saw guitarist/vocalist Nick Speleos join in 1992, with Gallagher temporarily handling drums. This period culminated in the 1993 demo Bathe In Entraills. The arrival of drummer Rob Belton and guitarist Brian Latta in late 1993, replacing Speleos, solidified the classic Dying Fetus lineup – Gallagher returning to full-time guitar and vocals. This four-piece then unleashed the Infatuation with Malevolence demo in early 1994. Both demos were later compiled and released in 1995 by Wild Rags Records, marking a significant early chapter in the bands history. Gallagher remains the sole original member, the undisputed driving force behind Dying Fetuss nine studio albums and enduring legacy.

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