A Pale Horse Named Death

Lore & Background

A Pale Horse Named Death was formed in Brooklyn, New York, by Sal Abruscato. Their debut album, And Hell Will Follow Me, was released in June 2011. Abruscato described the chemistry with producer and guitarist Matt Brown as 'unique and flawless,' calling themselves 'the murdering evil version of Lennon and McCartney.' The album featured contributions from Life of Agony's Mina Caputo on background vocals, Lou Reed's saxophonist Ulrich Krieger, and Biohazard's Bobby Hambel on guitar leads. The live lineup included former Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly and bassist Eric Morgan. Revolver Magazine ranked the album No. 5 of 2011.

The band's second album, Lay My Soul to Waste, was announced in January 2013 and released in North America on May 21, 2013. Abruscato expressed pride in the album, noting the mixing by Matt Brown and mastering by Ted Jensen. For the third album, When the World Becomes Undone, the band initially replaced Matt Brown and Johnny Kelly with Joe Taylor and Tommy Spano, but Johnny Kelly later rejoined. The album was released on January 18, 2019, on SPV's Long Branch Records imprint. In October 2019, the band released a two-track EP titled Uncovered, featuring covers of Three Dog Night's 'One' and The Cure's 'Prayers for Rain,' limited to 300 physical copies.

The fourth album, Infernum in Terra, was announced in May 2021 and released on September 24, 2021. Abruscato emphasized the importance of songwriting, stating, 'If you have the tunes, then the biggest battle is accomplished.' The band's musical style has been described by critics as alternative metal with elements of doom metal, gothic metal, grunge, and stoner rock, with Abruscato's vocals compared to Alice in Chains' Layne Staley.

Reader's Guide

A Pale Horse Named Death occupies a distinctive niche in American metal, bridging the gothic doom of Type O Negative with the grunge-inflected alternative metal of the 1990s. Formed by Sal Abruscato after his tenure as drummer for Type O Negative and Life of Agony, the band represents a continuation of the dark, melancholic sound Abruscato helped define. Their debut album, And Hell Will Follow Me, was critically recognized, earning the No. 5 spot on Revolver Magazine's 2011 list. The band's evolution through four studio albums shows a commitment to songwriting and collaboration, with lineup changes that included members from Biohazard, Seventh Void, and other acts. Their music has been compared to Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Black Sabbath, reflecting a blend of heavy riffs, atmospheric gloom, and emotional intensity. While not achieving mainstream crossover, the band has maintained a dedicated following within the metal underground, particularly among fans of gothic and doom metal. Their legacy lies in sustaining a brooding, melodic metal style that honors its influences while carving its own identity.

Did You Know?

• Sal Abruscato, the band's founder, previously played drums for Type O Negative and Life of Agony.
• The band's debut album, And Hell Will Follow Me, was ranked No. 5 album of 2011 by Revolver Magazine.
• The album cover for And Hell Will Follow Me was created by Sam Shearon, who has also worked with Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, and Rammstein.
• The band's fourth album, Infernum in Terra, was released on September 24, 2021.