The Occultation Project

The Occultation Project was an American Melodic Death Metal Band feat. Chris Schmidt w/ guest appearances from members of Megadeth, Soilwork, The Black Dahlia Murder and more.

Formation/History: The Occultation Project was formed in 2013 by Marc LaBelle, a physicist, and Chris Schmidt, a guitarist/engineer. In the interest of referencing their nerd-dom, the band was named after a well-studied astronomical event. To address common misconceptions: the name had absolutely nothing to do with the occult, astrology, Islam or any such practices.

The pair spent the next 5-6 years recording and releasing demos while refining their sound before gaining the attention of Soilwork frontman Björn Strid. This paved the way for collaborations with many well-known artists and producers until the band called it quits in 2025.

Misc facts:
Chris is a practicing Roman Catholic and devoted husband and stepfather. He is currently planning a release with his new band, Host Eternal.

Romans 11:36