Allen West (musician)

Allen West
Born (1967-10-17) October 17, 1967
Brandon, Florida, United States
Genres Death metal, death 'n' roll
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Guitar
Years active 1983 - present
Associated acts Obituary
Six Feet Under
Lowbrow
Southwicked

Allen West (born October 17, 1967, Brandon, Florida) is an American death metal guitarist who has been a member of Massacre, Obituary, Six Feet Under,[1] Lowbrow, and Southwicked. He is considered to be a pioneering figure of the death metal genre in the 1980s.[2]

Musical career

West formed the band Massacre in 1983, while he was still in high school. West's second band was Xecutioner, which laid down the foundation of Obituary.

West helped co-found Six Feet Under with vocalist Chris Barnes of Cannibal Corpse in 1993. Initially a side project of Barnes, it became a full-time band in early 1995 after his departure from Cannibal Corpse. West remained with the band until late 1997, recording two albums and an EP in his tenure.

After his release from prison in 2008, West cast his lot full-time in the band Lowbrow. It was announced in January 2009 that Lowbrow has decided to disband at the conclusion of their European tour. He has been in the band Southwicked ever since.

Personal life

West has one son and resides in Florida.

On May 16, 2007 he was arrested and imprisoned after his fifth DUI offense, incarcerated at the Gainesville Correctional Institution and released on January 19, 2008.

In late March of 2013, West was arrested for producing meth in his own home. He was sentenced to 1 year, 3 months, and 15 days in prison on 07/16/2013. [3]

Discography

Obituary
Six Feet Under
Lowbrow
Southwicked

References

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