After couple of years of covering some more or less unknown bands and songs with friends in their family house in Kraljevo, two brothers, Branko and Vojin Ratkovic decided to take things to more serious level. Under influence of thrash metal and hard-core punk, they formed Punisher in 1993.

First stable line-up was with Branko Ratkovic (guitars and vocals), Bojan Boskovic (bass) and Vojin Ratkovic (drums). Together they recorded the first album Powerful, in 1994.

After couple of gigs, new line-up change followed since Bojan Boskovic was fully committed to his punk hard-core band Totalni Promasaj (Total Failure) and he was in Punisher only to help Ratkovic brothers and to return the favor because Vojin was also playing drums in TP.

1995 saw the coming of two new members to Punisher frontlines. Branislav "Buksa" Bulajic who was at the time playing all kinds of instruments in a number of bands from punk to hardcore metal took bass guitar and Vladimir Jovanovic coming from death metal territorial waters, also long-time friend of the band who was one short time a member of the band in 1994 took on vocal duties again, only this time permanently. That year, they practiced hard combining their different musical interests and influences and the result was seen in December 1995 giving birth to ...End?, the second release of the band, much different to the first one.

Not long after the recording, "Buksa" decided to leave the band and join Hocu? Necu!, punk hard-core band from Kraljevo. Change was found in Stanko Rumenic, an excellent young bass player, also a friend of the band.

In 1996, the band decided to change the name to Punished as they felt it was more serious and more suitable to what band was feeling it had to say. Another year of hard practice as they once again decided to change their sound, only this time approaching more hard-core/crossover/thrash sound with death vocals.

New album was recorded in April 1997, titled Influence Exerted! Effects:. Having stable line-up and good album behind they played plenty of gigs but still making new songs resulting in only a year younger, April 1998's Toward the Individualism consisting of songs similar to previous album, only not so 'nervously' played and couple of covers of which some were Black's Wonderful Life and Yu Grupa's Crni leptir.

In years to come, a little tired from the songs they played continuously at the gigs, band decided to take matters much more seriously and to try to make music they felt in the time. They said they want to produce music this time, not just bunch of songs.

November 2001 gave birth to Like Blazes At Full Blast, the most melodic album since 1995's ...End?. Songs were much in vain of what band did before, only played more in mid-tempo instead of fast except where necessary proving that they didn't give up on fast music. Like Blazes At Full Blast introduced some instruments not before heard in music Punished play, so you have violins and accordion and some guitar solos on which band gave up since 1995.

Next year, after couple of concerts and mini-tour in Macedonia, Stanko left the band. In years to come, adequate change was not found so the band was on hold, with Branko, Vojin and Vladimir making new songs, covering their favorite bands, trying new bass players of which Vojkan Trifunovic (of local hard-core punk bands) was the best and temporary solution for a couple of gigs in 2005. Next year he recommended his friend, Nikola Milenkovic who contacted us and after couple of rehearsals he joined the group permanently. So, the band was ready to start things going and the first opportunity to show they're alive was given in December 2006 when they recorded two songs for FenolManija 101% Kraljevo compilation contributing with two cover songs they later released as Touch of the Kings EP with video.

Years of being hungry locked in the basement left their mark. The band decided to put aside their "musicianship" and to produce raw pure energy with new songs. Thinking it's good to present themselves after years of silence with songs they were playing covering 1980's metal and hard-core bands they recorded Grind Show in December 2007 delivering their most brutal release ever.

Feeling fresh with energy they're connected with the band rehearsed their new songs deciding to meet the public with another wave of brutality, speed, power and groove. December 2008 they hit the studio and produced Fierce. The title is supposed to say more than descriptive words... (... to be continued...)

Source : http://www.myspace.com/punishedband