Opprobrium (originally formed as Incubus) is an American death/thrash metal band founded in Metairie, Louisiana, in 1986. Pioneered by brothers Francis M. Howard (guitars, vocals, bass) and Moyses M. Howard (drums), the group is recognized as an early influencer of the underground death-thrash scene, known for their aggressive riffing combined with lyrical themes drawn from Biblical themes and Christian theology.
Brothers Francis and Moyses Howard emigrated from Brazil to the United States in the mid-1980s. Settling in Louisiana, they formed the band Incubus in February 1986 alongside original bassist/vocalist Scot W. Latour.
After gaining subterranean traction via their 1987 demo Supernatural Death, Incubus released their debut full-length album, Serpent Temptation, through Brutal Records in 1988. The record established their signature blend of rapid thrash riffs, raw speed, and death metal vocal aggressiveness.
Following Latour’s departure, Francis took over lead vocal duties. The band signed with major metal label Nuclear Blast and relocated temporarily to Tampa, Florida, a key hub of the early death metal explosion. Recording primarily as a duo (with Francis handling both guitar and bass), they released their second album, Beyond the Unknown, in 1990 before touring and briefly adding bassist Mark Lavenia.
Shortly after touring in support of Beyond the Unknown, the band went on an extended hiatus in 1991.
When the Howard brothers decided to reactivate the project in 1999, they discovered that an alternative rock band from Calabasas, California, had adopted and trademarked the name Incubus to global commercial success. To avoid legal disputes and audience confusion, the band officially changed their name to Opprobrium.
Returning under Nuclear Blast, Opprobrium released Discerning Forces in May 2000. The album picked up where their early-90s sound left off, delivering furious death-thrash precision.
Following another pause, the duo signed to Metal Mind Productions and released their fourth studio effort, Mandatory Evac, maintaining their core DIY approach with Francis and Moyses writing and recording all instruments.
Eleven years later, Opprobrium released The Fallen Entities via High Roller Records, continuing their legacy of complex, blistering extreme metal.
