Malta's first and still best-known death metal band, Beheaded, was formed by singer Marcel Scalpello, guitarist David Bugeja, and drummer Chris Brincat in 1991. Considered utter freaks of nature amidst the small island's even smaller rock scene, the group labored for a number of years before recording their first demo, "Souldead," with the help of second guitarist Tyson Fenech and bassist David Cachia. Praised for its mature songwriting, impressive technicality, and overall professionalism, the demo eventually landed Beheaded a deal with Sweden's X-treme Records, which, after much delay, finally issued their fine Perpetual Mockery debut in 1998. Guitarist Omar Grech had replaced Fenech by now, and the band soon set out on tour across Europe with the likes of Dying Fetus, Vader, and Deranged. But the members of Beheaded were beginning to struggle with their direction. Scalpello quit soon after they returned home and was replaced by Lawrence Joyce as work began on a second album. Doing away with the atmospheric synthesizers and most of the melodic aspects which had characterized their previous work, Beheaded sought a more focused, brutal death metal approach for 2001's Resurgence of Oblivion mini-CD, which previewed their long-awaited sophomore LP of 2002, Recounts of Disembodiment. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia