From the carcass of controversial nihilist New York act Carnivore, vocalist and bass guitarist Peter Steele (b. Peter Ratajczyk, 4 January 1962, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA) formed Type O Negative in 1988 with Ken Hickey (b. Kenneth Shaun Hickey, 22 May 1966, USA; guitar), Josh Silver (b. 14 November 1962, USA; keyboards), and Sal Abruscato (drums). Fusing elements of heavy metal, gothic rock, industrial music and psychedelia, Type O Negative explore the darker edges of the human soul with caustic irony. Their second release, 1991'sThe Origin Of The Feces, was a typical act of media terrorism. Mixed by the band to sound like a live recording from hell, it features chants of "You Suck" and slow-handclapping from the audience, while Steele cynically drawls to the band "Let's get this over with". The original sleeve featured a close up of a sphincter, while the band photos inside each have a "turd" lovingly laid upon them.
Despite such truculence, success beckoned as Type O Negative secured tours with influential bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Jackyl, Danzig and Mötley Crüe. Bloody Kisses proved a surprise success, with its effective blend of musical velvet and razor blades, leading to the re-release of The Origin Of The Feces (in less offensive packaging). The band also toured in support of Bloody Kisses with new drummer Johnny Kelly (b. 9 March 1968, USA), the band's former drum technician who was brought in when Abruscato left to join Life Of Agony.
Steele subsequently hit the headlines in 1995 when he posed naked in Playgirl magazine. Although the following year's October Rust indicated a further mellowing of Steele's musical vision, the ensuing World Coming Down returned to the macabre and bleak worldview of the early material.
DISCOGRAPHY: Slow, Deep And Hard (Roadrunner 1991)***, The Origin Of The Feces (Roadrunner 1992)**, Bloody Kisses (Roadrunner 1993)****, October Rust (Roadrunner 1996)****, World Coming Down (Roadrunner 1999)**, Life Is Killing Me (Roadrunner 2003)***, Dead Again (SPV 2007)***.
COMPILATIONS: The Least Worst Of (Roadrunner 2000)***, The Best Of (Roadrunner 2006)****.
VIDEOGRAPHY: After Dark (Roadrunner Video 1998), Symphony For The Devil: The World Of Type O Negative (Steamhammer 2006).
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
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![October Rust [Special Edition]](http://img.hottopic.com/is/image/HotTopic?src=HotTopic/08_251246_hi&layer=comp&$54x54$)
![Bloody Kisses [Special Edition]](http://img.hottopic.com/is/image/HotTopic?src=HotTopic/08_251245_hi&layer=comp&$54x54$)
![Slow, Deep and Hard [Remaster]](http://img.hottopic.com/is/image/HotTopic?src=HotTopic/08_261278_hi&layer=comp&$54x54$)
Well, he finally got his wish. RIP Pete. :(
RIP Peter Steele!!
RIP peter :(
RIP Pete, you and your voice will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace :( <3
"It's Like A Death In The Family" - Thanks for always being kind to me and for the little time we got to spend... You're sadly missed brother. And, I know you had something to do with this: http://ow.ly/1z4vT HaHa - IHS PETER STEELE RIP - FREE AT LAST!
we will all miss the great Peter Steele. RIP
Sad day indeed. I remember discovering TON's Slow, Deep and Hard through a friend of mine and not getting it AT ALL. But then came Bloody Kisses and I got hooked. RIP, Pete.
This is such a sad day. U will be greatly missed.
RIP