Weakling was an American black metal band from San Francisco. The band never toured and released one album, Dead as Dreams, recorded in 1998 and released on Tumult Records in 2000.
History According to founding member and guitarist John Gossard, the band's name came from the title of Swans song from their album Filth.
Gossard and guitarist/drum programmer Robert Williams of Ubzub formed Weakling. The two released an early version of "No One Can be Called As A Man While He'll Die" on the 1996 compilation tape Wintergrief by Nahitfol Productions. Gossard and Williams added bassist Jim Mack and drummer Antoine Reuben Diavola. Dissatisfied with the members' lack of dedication, Gossard left while the rest of the lineup continued as Black Goat. Mack borrowed his idea for the song "This Entire Fucking Battlefield" from Norwegian band Demonic's "Nar Morket Faller".
Prior to the release of the album, there were rumors about the band's unorthodox promotion and distribution plans. Gossard decried those stories as a joke between the band members that the label turned into publicity stunt.
Weakling was noted for featuring Josh Smith and Tim Green of The Fucking Champs as guitarist and producer, respectively. A reissue brought their work more attention, and musicians such as Fenriz of Darkthrone have praised the album. Weakling's sound filters Scandinavian bands like Bathory, Burzum and Darkthrone, through a '70s progressive rock lens. All five songs on the album run at least 10 minutes and are composed of at least two sections.
Gossard and bassist Sarah Weiner later played in the short-lived doom metal band The Gault, of which Weiner was the drummer. After that band's dissolution, Gossard joined funeral doom group Asunder, and formed black metal band Dispirit after Asunder's disbandment. Keyboardist Casey Ward joined The Husbands on drums. Drummer Sam Foster joined death metal band Saros.
Although Weakling never officially announced a split, they broke up in 1999.
Members John Gossard: guitar and vocals Josh Smith: guitar Sarah Weiner: bass Casey Ward: keyboards Sam Foster (a.k.a. Little Sunshine): drums
Discography Albums Dead as Dreams (2000) Demos Live Practice Demo (1998) Rehearsal Demo (1998)
References