Continuing their long history of lineup evolution, Florida death metal legends Deicide have officially recruited Exmortus guitarist Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez to fill their vacant guitar slot. In a true trial by fire, Gonzalez will make his live debut with the iconic band this Friday, September 19, on the opening night of their massive Latin American tour with Behemoth.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 16, just three days before the tour is set to kick off in Curitiba, Brazil. Gonzalez, a formidable guitarist known for his technical and neoclassical style with Exmortus, expressed his excitement to be joining the legendary band.
His full statement reads:
“I’m thrilled and honored to jam amongst such legends as Glen [Benton, bass/vocals] and Steve [Asheim, drums] and to hang with the rest of the team. I thank them for having me on board. I’m looking forward to unleashing hell in Latin America on this tour.”
Gonzalez steps in to replace guitarist Kevin Quirion, who amicably departed the band in April of this year after an impressive 15-year tenure. In his exit statement, Quirion explained that he was “done with touring and would like to spend the extra time with my family.” He appeared on the band’s last three studio albums, including 2024’s Banished By Sin.
The recruitment of Gonzalez is the latest chapter in the well-documented “revolving door” of guitarists who have played alongside the unwavering core duo of frontman Glen Benton and drummer Steve Asheim. The band’s other guitar slot has seen a succession of players in recent years, with Taylor Nordberg joining in 2022 to replace Chris Cannella, who had himself replaced Mark English in 2019.
With a new, hungry guitarist now in the ranks and ready to “unleash hell” on the road, the core of Deicide proves once again that their blasphemous war machine will continue to march forward, regardless of who is wielding the second axe.
Behemoth with Deicide tour:
- Sep 19: Curitiba, Brazil (Tork n’ Roll)
- Sep 21: Brasília, Brazil (Toinha Brasil Show)
- Sep 23: Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Mister Rock)
- Sep 26: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Sacadura 154)
- Sep 28: São Paulo, Brazil (Terra SP)
- Sep 30: Dyn, Argentina (El Teatro Flores)
- Oct 2: Santiago, Chile (Teatro Caupolican)
- Oct 5: Bogotá, Colombia (Movistar Arena)
- Oct 7: Zapote, Costa Rica (Pepper Disco Club)
- Oct 9: San Pedro Garza García, Mexico (Showcenter Complex)
- Oct 11: Ciudad De México, Mexico (Pabellón Cuervo)
