Origin is an American technical death metal band from Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1990 under the monikers Necrotomy and Thee Abomination.
[1] They have been recognized by music critics[2][3] and metal fans[4] alike for combining a harsh sound with a high level of technical skill.
[5] 2008 saw the band breakthrough in the United States with the release of their fourth studio album, Antithesis, which peaked at #21 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.
In October 1997, longtime friend and bassist Clint Appelhanz and vocalist Mark Manning joined, followed by drummer George Fluke in January 1998.
Origin joined forces with Poland's Vader, along with label mates Cephalic Carnage and Dying Fetus, for the high-profile Death Across America 2000 Tour.
In the summer, Origin toured the Midwest, playing the Milwaukee Metalfest 2004 and The Texas Death and Grindfest with label mates Soilent Green and Kill the Client.
[10] Fan reaction was mixed, with a review of Echoes in the student newspaper of Metropolitan Community College-Longview in Kansas City called it monotonous, yet nonetheless impressive due to the band members' instrumental prowess.
[4] Numerous United States tours immediately followed, including headlining performances at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and Ohio Deathfest.
[1] In early 2006, James King and Clint Appelhanz left Origin, and had joined death metal/grindcore group Unmerciful, along with Jeremy Turner and Tony Reust.
[1] In February and March 2007, Origin played in Europe with label mates Misery Index and Necrophagist, as well as newly signed fellow Topeka locals Diskreet.
The band also headlined the American "Occupation Domination" tour along with Cattle Decapitation, Decrepit Birth, Aborted, Rings of Saturn and Battlecross in 2012.