Arlington, Virginia, United States (1985 - Present) DECEASED arose in 1985, drawing inspiration from BLACK SABBATH, VENOM, VOIVOD, RAVEN, MERCYFUL FATE, SLAYER and SODOM. During the period of 1985-1989, DECEASED recorded and circulated three demos (The Evil Side Of Religion, Birth By Radiation and Nuclear Exorcist ) that galvanized their reputation as trailblazers of original, technical American death metal. The 1988 hit and run death of bassist Rob Sterzel brought Les Snyder into the fold