== Biography ==


The band started in July 1996, when Mark (guitars) and Edward (vocals) Tagliaferro joined up with another three guys to put together a rock/pop band. By mid-1997, after various line-up changes, drop-outs and kick-outs the two ended up with Fredrick bowman (formerly "No Name Yet") on drums. The three decided to change the musical direction and started to experiment different forms of Death Metal. The next two years were the darkest for the band. Edward decided to fill in the guitar post as well to keep the main vocals. The worst problem the band faced was that they were unable to find a bassist.
The time was spent adapting and trying to settle into the new style. In this respect Horace, Noel and Alan from Maltese band “Amentia" helped them greatly. In the meantime the first songs were written. By the end of this two year period the musical style seemed to settle into "Old School" Death Metal with Power, Trash and Grind influences.

Inspired from the film "Arachnophobia" the name "ARACHNID" was proposed by Mark and agreed to by the rest. Arachnid is the scientific classification for creatures with eight legs. Insects like ants have six legs, but spiders and scorpions have eight. The word comes from Greek mythology when Athene punishes an impudent maiden called Arachnae who challenged the goddess into a weaving contest. Athene turned her into a spider, the master of all weavers, giving her name to the animal.

In November 1999 a bassist was finally found, a set was decided on and the first gig came in August of 2000 at the 'Metal Mind' Concert. In December of the same year the band took part in the "Rock'in the Woods" Festival. After this gig, on the advice of a number of well-wishers, Edward decided that he should concentrate completely on vocals so another guitarist was needed. Shortly after in January 2001 Kurt Pace, joined to fill in this post. In April of 2001 together with Lithomancy the band played a gig at "Rock Cafe'" to a very appreciative audience. After this gig the band went on a short break because Kurt (Guitars) had exams. After this break the bassist did not turn up for rehearsals again. Deciding that they could not wait for him, another bassist was found but he lasted only a month.

Eventually in October 2001 Mario Mifsud came into the band as bassist. Apart from teaching him the old material, new material was started on. A song was finished and another two were half-ready when a guy called Nicky ( Maltese gig organizer ) invited the band to take part in the "Grim Reaper Festival" on the 9th of February, which resulted in an excellent show.

Following this gig, during a discussion, it was realized that Frederick couldn't continue with the band. The band started looking for a drummer immediately knowing though that it would be a difficult job. Four months later the band realized that the best idea is to resort to a drum machine. In the meanwhile Arachnid kept a sharp lookout for a drummer. In September Kurt felt the pressures of University were going to be too much to cope with and he decided to leave the band. Almost immediately we recruited a new member who lasted only a few months before deciding to change the kind of music he wanted to play and left. The band decided to go one with one guitarist for their gig in April 2003, as too much time was being wasted to teach the new material to new recruits.
Because of the injury to Mark's knee, the band had to pull back a step for a few months. In this time, most of the old songs were re-arranged. Changes were made primarily because the band had very few limitations because of the drum machine.

In October of the same year, the band finally managed to gig with Beheaded (another Maltese death metal band). After that very good show, Campos presented himself to join as the band's second guitarist and Arachnid jumped on the opportunity. In June 2004, Mario left the band because he could not find enough time for the band. Oliver M. Grech joined his place shortly after. In September of the same year Stephan Abela joined the band as a drummer.

Finally the line-up was once again complete and a gig was done with the newly solidified line-up with Martyrium in November
2004. Plans for a first recording started immediately after this gig and the band played for the first time with a foreign band, Godsize, together with Slit in March 2005. A week later, on 18th March, the band entered the studio to cut 5 tracks for a demo cd.

Another gig was done with Anomaly in April and the mixing, mastering, duplication, sleeve printing, etc. of the demo took 3 months. Arachnid launched their first release "Weaving the web" on 7th July @ Signals and it was a great launch party. In August 2005 the band played at the annual festival organized by Reciprocal Records - 1565 Broadband Gathering.

In September 2005 Arachnid embarked on their first tour, prior to which they did a gig with Weeping Silence. They band played in the following events in the Lorraine region of France: Squaw Bar in Yutz with Dark Prophecy and Yayeth Corpse, Espace Culturel in Rombas with Dark Prophecy, Dawn Blood, and Yayeth Corpse, Salle Ochs in Metz with Dark Prophecy and Martyrium.

On Sunday the band made some history, as it was the first time two Maltese Metal bands met and played together abroad.

Arachnid is still a heavily active band in the Maltese islands.

Click here to view Arachnid official site