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D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L was released by Panchiko in 2000 before fading into obscurity. In 2016, a 4chan user discovered it in an album being sold in a charity shop and made a post. The search lasted until 2020 when searchers were able to trace the metadata of the barcode to Nottingham, and identified the artists.
== D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L by Panchiko: The Lostwave Search ==
==Origins and Early Years==
Panchiko, an English indie band formed in the late 1990s, originally recorded and self-released their demo album *D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L* in 2000. The band members, who were teenagers at the time, pressed only about 30 copies of the album, which quickly faded into obscurity due to a lack of exposure and distribution.


==Rediscovery and Viral Fame==
"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.
The band's story took a dramatic turn in 2016 when an anonymous user on the 4chan music board stumbled upon a degraded copy of the *D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L* demo. The cassette, affected by disc rot, had a unique sound that captivated listeners, leading to an online search to uncover the band's identity. This search spanned several years, involving intense detective work by fans who tracked the CD's barcode to a charity shop in Nottingham​:citation[oaicite:8]{index=8}​​:citation[oaicite:7]{index=7}​.


## The Internet Sleuths' Quest
=== Background ===
The search for Panchiko became a significant event in the "lostwave" community, a term used to describe obscure or forgotten music rediscovered by dedicated fans. As more tracks were shared online, the allure of the mystery grew, propelling a global hunt for the band's origins. By late 2019 and early 2020, fans had successfully tracked down the band members via social media platforms​:citation[oaicite:6]{index=6}​.
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.


## Reformation and New Beginnings
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.
Upon being contacted, the former members of Panchiko were astonished by the newfound interest in their old demos. This unexpected attention led them to reissue the *D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L* album with cleaned-up audio, while still retaining some of the original lo-fi charm that had captivated their new audience. In 2020, they officially re-released the album, including unreleased tracks, much to the delight of their growing fanbase​:citation[oaicite:5]{index=5}​​:citation[oaicite:4]{index=4}​.


## Revival and New Releases
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.
Following their reformation, Panchiko embarked on a new musical journey, reconnecting and creating new material for the first time in over two decades. In early 2023, they released singles such as "Failed at Math(s)" and "Until I Know," and continued to gain traction. Their first full-length album, *Failed at Math(s)*, released in May 2023, blends their original sound with more refined production​:citation[oaicite:3]{index=3}​.


## Cultural Impact
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.
The band's unexpected resurgence is a testament to the power of the internet and the dedication of music enthusiasts. *D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L* has become a cult classic, with its melancholic and nostalgic sound resonating deeply with listeners worldwide. The story of Panchiko is not just about rediscovery but also about how forgotten art can find new life and meaning through passionate communities and the digital age.


Panchiko's journey from obscurity to cult fame underscores the enduring appeal of lost music and the communal efforts to preserve and celebrate it.
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)

Revision as of 21:58, 3 August 2024

D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L by Panchiko: The Lostwave Search

"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