Skeletonwitch
American thrash metal band formed in Athens, Ohio, in 2003.
Skeletonwitch is an American thrash metal band formed in Athens, Ohio, in 2003. The band has undergone several lineup changes, with lead guitarist Nate Garnette, rhythm guitarist Scott Hedrick, bassist Evan Linger, and vocalist Adam Clemans as current members. Original vocalist Chance Garnette was fired in late 2014 or early 2015, and drummer Dustin Boltjes left in early 2018 after seven years.
- formed
- 2003
- origin
- Athens, Ohio, United States
- genre
- Thrash metal
- current members
- Nate Garnette, Scott Hedrick, Evan Linger, Adam Clemans
- notable former members
- Chance Garnette, Dustin Boltjes
Lore & Background
Skeletonwitch was formed in 2003 when guitarist Scott Hedrick heard demo tracks from Nate Garnette's former band Serkesoron while both were students at Ohio University. They recruited Nate's older brother Chance Garnette as vocalist. The band released its debut album, At One with the Shadows, on August 11, 2004, via Shredded Records. After signing with Prosthetic, they released Beyond the Permafrost on October 2, 2007. In 2008, they opened for Danzig's Blackest of the Black tour. Their third album, Breathing the Fire (October 13, 2009), debuted at No. 151 on the Billboard 200. The song 'Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery' appeared on the Brütal Legend soundtrack, and 'Crushed Beyond Dust' was featured on Rock Band Network in 2010. The band played all dates of Ozzfest 2010 and was featured on an Adult Swim video for 'Bringers of Death' that same year.
Reader's Guide
Skeletonwitch's significance lies in their consistent output of thrash metal albums over more than a decade, with a sound that blends blackened thrash elements. Their early work, particularly Beyond the Permafrost and Breathing the Fire, helped establish them in the underground metal scene. The band's inclusion in major tours like Danzig's Blackest of the Black and Ozzfest 2010, as well as video game soundtracks, broadened their exposure. However, the band's trajectory was disrupted by the departure of original vocalist Chance Garnette in 2014–2015 due to legal issues and alcohol abuse, and the later exit of drummer Dustin Boltjes in 2018. Despite these changes, Skeletonwitch continued with new vocalist Adam Clemans, releasing Devouring Radiant Light in July 2018. Their legacy includes a dedicated fanbase and a catalog of albums that reflect the evolution of modern thrash metal.
Did You Know?
- Skeletonwitch was formed after guitarist Scott Hedrick heard demo tracks from Nate Garnette's former band Serkesoron.
- Original vocalist Chance Garnette was fired in late 2014 or early 2015 due to alcohol abuse.
- The band was banned from playing the House of Blues in Orlando after being deemed 'unfit to be associated with Disney.'
- Drummer Dustin Boltjes left the band in early 2018 after a seven-year tenure.
More in Viking metal musical groups 1-22
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record