Tampa Death Metal Family TreeThe Music Cities™ · network and lineage map · 1979 to 2026 · themusiccities.com
Tampa Bay origin · bandMorrisound tracked

Atheist

technical and progressive death metal · Sarasota

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Founded
1984
City
Sarasota
Hub region
Tampa Bay
Status as of 5 September 2026
active; new material written 2025, no album released by the cutoff
Connections
19 edges, 18 distinct neighbors · betweenness 0.032 (rank 15 of 371) · people and production 0.014 (rank 31)
Confidence
High · sources: [W] [WPT] [WUP] [WEL] [MSA2] [MA] (register)

Kelly Shaefer's band runs through the names Oblivion and R.A.V.A.G.E. before settling on Atheist in 1987. Piece of Time (recorded at Morrisound in late 1988) and Unquestionable Presence (1991) are Scott Burns productions and the founding documents of technical death metal; Roger Patterson dies in a touring van accident on 12 February 1991 and Tony Choy plays his bass lines. Elements (1993) is made in Gainesville. The band reforms in 2006.

Lineup: Kelly Shaefer (vocals, guitar), Rand Burkey (guitar), Roger Patterson (bass, to 1991), Steve Flynn (drums, 1984 to 1992, 2006 to 2023); Tony Choy (bass, 1991 to 1993)

Connections

People and personnel

  • founderKelly ShaeferAs Oblivion and R.A.V.A.G.E. first1984 to present
  • memberRoger PattersonDied 12 February 19911985 to 1991
  • joined fromTony ChoyUnquestionable Presence and Elements1991 to 1993
  • produced byScott BurnsPiece of Time, Unquestionable Presence1989 to 1991
  • produced byJason SuecofMix of Jupiter2010

Lineage

  • spawnedNeuroticaKelly Shaefer between the Atheist eras1992

Recording credits

Influence

Labels, festivals, tours, collaborations