One of the United States' most influential death metal group's, Immolation formed in Yonkers, New York in 1986, and alongside fellow N.Y.C.-area extreme metal agitators Incantation, Mortician, and Suffocation, quickly rose to the fore of the scene. Led by guitarist Robert Vigna and vocalist/bassist Ross Dolan -- the band's sole constant members -- Immolation has racked up a string of acclaimed efforts, including Dawn of Possession (1991), Close to a World Below (2000), Unholy Cult (2002), and Atonement (2010), that skillfully balance raw power with technical prowess. The band issued their 11th studio LP, Acts of God, in 2022.

Originally dubbed Rigor Mortis, the group first comprised singer/bassist Ross Dolan, guitarists Robert Vigna and Thomas Wilkinson, and drummer Craig Smilowski. After a series of well-received demos, Immolation signed to Roadrunner in 1991 to issue their debut album, Dawn of Possession; a five-year gap (and a move to Metal Blade) preceded the follow-up Here in After. With new drummer Alex Hernandez, the band resurfaced in 1999 with Failure for Gods. The celebrated Close to a World Below was issued a year later, but it would be the band's last outing for Metal Blade. They inked a deal with French independent label Listenable Records in 2001, which issued a string of well-received outings including Unholy Cult, Harnessing Ruin, and Shadows in the Light, the latter two introduced new drummer Steve Shalaty. 2010's Majesty and Decay was the band's first outing for Nuclear Blast, and 2013's Orwellian Kingdom of Conspiracy saw them unleash their first concept album. In 2017, Immolation released their tenth studio long-player, Atonement, which received near-universal acclaim. Five years later, the band returned with the uncompromising Acts of God, which further refined their signature blend of old and new school death metal. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi