Kam Lee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Kam Lee | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Barney Kamalani Lee |
Born | 11.7.1966 |
Origin | United States of America |
Genre(s) | Death metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, Drums |
Associated acts | Death, Massacre |
Kam Lee (born Barney Kamalani Lee) is an American singer. He is best known for his vocal contributions to an early incarnation of Death (called Mantas) in 1983–84, and later joined Massacre in 1985, founded and formed by Bill Andrews (Death).
Lee is said to be one of the creators of the vocal style called the death grunt or death growl[citation needed], taking influence from the then Celtic Frost vocalist Thomas Gabriel Fischer (a.k.a. Tom G Warrior). Massacre recorded 2 demo tapes that were heavily distributed using the tape trading system but did not lead to a record deal. The band dissolved when members Rick Rozz, Bill Andrews and Terry Butler left to join a later inception of Chuck Schuldiner's Death; however, the subsequent citing of Massacre as influences by bands such as Napalm Death signified a great interest in the defunct act within the death metal community. This led to a reformation and the recording of the album From Beyond on Earache Records, made up mainly of reworking of the songs featured on the original 1985 & 1986 demo tapes.
Lyrically, Lee drew heavily from the stories of American author H. P. Lovecraft, and the album's cover art featured a painting by artist Ed Repka representing creatures from Lovecraft's imagination. Lee also played drums in both Mantas and Death as well as vocals. He has also been a member of many other short-lived bands. In 2006 he started a band with Terry Butler (Death/Massacre/Six Feet Under) called Denial Fiend of whom released their debut "They Rise" on October 16th, 2007. In that same month, Massacre played their final gig in the United States on October 6th, 2007. October 26th, Massacre began their final tour dubbed "Re-Animated" in Berlin, Germany.