DEATHMETAL

ⓘ This lostwave is classified as solved.
D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L
Image associated with the song.
Genre	Rock
Year	2000
Status	Found
Original poster	Anonymous 4chan user
Search started	2016
Search community	Reddit, 4chan, Discord...
File:Deathmetal.mp3

D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L by Panchiko is a demo EP originally self-released by the band in 2000. The EP remained obscure until it was rediscovered by internet users in the late 2010s. The search for the band and the subsequent re-release of the EP highlight the phenomenon of "lostwave" music, where forgotten or unknown tracks are revived by online communities.

Background

The search for Panchiko's "D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L" began in 2016 when an anonymous user on the 4chan music board uploaded a degraded rip of the EP, which they found in a charity shop. The unique sound of the heavily disc-rotted CD intrigued listeners and sparked an interest in uncovering the identity of the band behind the music.

Early efforts included analyzing the minimal information available on the CD, such as the track names, album art, and any discernible text or codes. The search gained momentum as the EP's tracks were shared on platforms like Reddit and YouTube, attracting more enthusiasts to the cause. The music, characterized by its melancholic and nostalgic tones, resonated with many listeners, further fueling the investigation.

In January 2020, a significant clue was found when fans identified a barcode on the CD, which led them to an Oxfam charity shop in Sherwood, Nottingham. This hint suggested that the band originated from the local area, directing the search towards identifying musicians active in Nottingham during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The community effort reached a breakthrough on January 21, 2020, when a fan located Owain Davies, the lead singer of Panchiko, on Facebook. Contact was made with a simple message, "Hello, you’ll probably never read this, but are you the lead singer of Panchiko?" Davies's affirmative response marked a pivotal moment in the search.

Upon being contacted, Davies informed his former bandmates, Andy Wright and Shaun Ferreday, who were equally surprised by the newfound interest in their old recordings. Although the original drummer, John, could not be located, the remaining members decided to collaborate on restoring their old works.

The restoration process was challenging due to the lack of original masters, but a better-preserved copy of the EP was found through a friend, allowing for successful remastering. Fans continued to support and engage with the process, culminating in the re-release of the EP.

Discovery

On February 16, 2020, Panchiko officially reissued "D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L" on Bandcamp. The reissue included the remastered tracks along with additional songs from their unreleased 2001 EP "Kicking Cars" and the original "rotted" versions. The re-release quickly gained popularity, making it one of the best-selling albums on Bandcamp at the time.

The rediscovery of Panchiko and their subsequent reissue of "D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L" exemplifies the phenomenon of "lostwave" music. This story highlights how dedicated online communities can revive and celebrate forgotten music, bringing new life to art that might otherwise remain obscure.

References

• [SPIN - Panchiko Interview](https://www.spin.com/2023/05/panchiko-interview/)
• [WKNC - Album Review: D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L by Panchiko](https://wknc.org/2021/05/26/album-review-deathmetal-by-panchiko/)
• [Reddit - Album of the Week: D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L by Panchiko](https://www.reddit.com/r/musicbuddies/comments/n0h2qa/album_of_the_week_deathmetal_by_panchiko/)
• [The Internet Archive - Panchiko D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L](https://archive.org/details/panchiko-deathmetal)