Hard Core Chromatose. It all began one fateful night at the Night City Slammer. An unnamed and unknown band took center stage. They opened the gig with a sound unlike any other. It was hard-edged, violent, passionate, and entrancing all at once. The raw talent of the group put across their anti-corporate message like a sledgehammer to the cranium. The crowd worked itself into a frenzy and then the blood began to spill. When an Arasaka AV-4 arrived on the scene just in time for the climax, it met with a fiery end as someone in the crowd hit it with heavy ordinance. The devasted AV-4 crashed to the ground in the middle of the dancing mob in a pyrotechnic display of carnage and mayhem the likes of which Night City had never seen. The band silently made their getaway as the death-toll mounted. The concert was a smashing success. For the fans of the music it was just the beginning. For the members of the band, it was the beginning of the end. . .
INTRODUCTION Apocalypse is a musical band of chromatic rockers based in the Night City area. The campaign was run by none other than thee Hound himself, Jason "Blackhammer" Parent, and marked the first major series of adventures in his own unique Cyberpunk world. The player characters included several band members as well as a number of other support crew. This page is devoted to the memory of the band and their adventures in the dark and deadly world of Cyberpunk. You will find a timeline of the band's activities as well as full game statistics for each of the characters. You will also find a mess of "atmosphere" material, including album covers, song lyrics, and any other dregs of information that I can dig out of my over-spent cranial unit. Timeline Characters Discography Why would any of this seem important to you? Well, you can always use Apocalypse in your own campaigns to provide some appropriately punkish mood and background color. You can even write some killer adventures around them--I have included a handful of suggestions for just such an occasion near the bottom of these pages. Basically, we had a blast playing the band and felt they were a pretty cool addition to the Cyberpunk world. If we enjoyed playing them that much, there's no reason why others can't get some fun out of them as well. Scenarios
TIMELINE 2021 - April A nameless band of complete unknowns gives an explosive debut at the popular night City club, The Slammer. During the memorable show an Arasaka AV-4 is shot down and crashes into the crowd causing twenty-seven deaths and providing some of the most requested live news footage of the year. (GM Notes: The original line-up for the Night City gig was Warlock on vocals and guitars, Icarus on keyboards and holoshow, and VX on drums. Nosferatu served as manager while Slaine and Famine operated as bodyguards.) 2021 - May The band performs its second concert in Montreal under the new name of Apocalypse. This second show lives up to the destructive reputation of the first as the band incites a full-fledged riot, burning the arena and much of the nearby corporate sector to the ground. Numerous fatalities occur during the firestorm and the band quickly establishes itself at th forefront of the anti-corporate movement. (GM Notes: Famine moved from bodyguard to bassist from this show onward. The band members adopted their Four Horsemen personnas and began opening their shows by riding their awesome motorbikes onto the stage.) 2021 - June Apocalypse embark on the Eve Of Destruction Tour which leads them across North America. They release The Beginning of the End. . . , an album of live tracks recorded at an unplanned concert held for the benefit of nomad packs in northern Canada. The album goes platinum before the year is out and spawns their anthem, Megacorpse. The term "hard core chromatose" is first used to describe their unique sound and a genre is born. (GM Notes: While preparing for the concert, a series of events unfolded in which Slaine shot down an salvageable Arasaka AV-4. The band spraypainted their own logo over top of the corporate one and used it for their grand finale in a mockery of the tragic crash during their Night City concert.) 2022 - January Apocalypse releases their second album, Metal Genesis, and immediately begin touring to support it. The spotlight remains focused on the band when they become embroiled in a scandal that sees them linked to a radical terrorist group called the Red Flag Army. Bandleader Warlock spends the better part of the year in jail on related charges and the entire event becomes an enormous public relations success. (GM Notes: VX left early in the tour and was replaced by Ravage. Stripe the Gremlin was added to provide back-up guitars and vocals while Nosferatu left to find other clients. The remaining band members completely BORGed up to go along with the "metal over meat" theme of the tour.) 2022 - October Wild rumors circulate after a violent explosion at a Night City club named Totentan's nearly kills several key band members. Following the media blitz that ensues, Apocalypse releases two new albums in rapid succession. Sonic Dreams and Sign Of The Aftermath represent a surprising departure from the previous albums as the band ends its anti-corporate crusade and embarks on a new mission of corporate enlightenment and education. Incidentally, concert fatalities drop seventy-six percent in the months that follow. (GM Notes: Famine was arrested and imprisoned just prior to the incident at Totentan's--he is never seen or heard from again. Icarus met his end in a pool of his own vomit as he discovered that vomit gas and plastic explosives do not mix--this was the infamous explosion. Warlock surivived the blast only to be cut to ribbons in a sword duel with an unidentified assailant a few minutes later. Slaine was the only member of the Apocalypse crew to survive the incident. He was completely unscathed.) 2023 - The Present The Reaving hits the streets as Apocalypse prepares for yet another whirlwind tour. (GM Notes: Following the deaths Warlock and Icarus, the original two founders of Apocalypse, the band was replaced by a group of posers. Essentially, someone with very powerful corporate backing pulled a few strings and commissioned a group of obedient slaves to undergo surgical alteration in order to mimic the various band members. The popularity of Apocalypse was used to promote corporate support amongst the masses as a whole new generation of fans once again falls under the sway of the great evil that is the megacorps. Apocalypse has become the antithesis of what it once was. Their truly is no justice in this world.)
THE FOUR HORSEMEN WARLOCK (aka WAR) Played by Glenn Hall Real Name: Kimiashi Akimo Warlock was a Rockerboy and served as both the lead singer and guitarist for the mega-popular hard core chromotose band Apocalypse. He was the founder of the band and used it to help fan the flames of the anti-corporate movement. His skill with both vocals and guitar were matched only by his ability to get the group into trouble with his people are meant to be stepped on attitude. Considered by many to be a dark and enigmatic figure, Warlock seemed to undergo a complete metamorphosis not long after the recording of the band's second album. His attitude towards the big corporations mellowed considerably and his song writing was altered to reflect this change in outlook. He still performs with Apocalypse to this day. GM Notes: Warlock was born into a family that owned a major national corporation. His parents were slaughtered when he was young and he later discovered that his older brothers and sister were guilty of the hideous crime. Warlock vowed to avenge the death of his parents and used the medium of music to help spread anti-corporate sentiments. After a string of phenomenal concert performances, Apocalypse rose to tremendous heights of popularity in a very short period of time. This overly quick rise to fame and fortune spelled Warlock's doom as he lost sight of his purpose and died in an explosive firestorm during an ill-fated brawl at Totentan's. Several other band members were killed during the incident and the entire troupe was secretly replaced by a group of corporate-managed posers. The stats which follow are for the original Warlock rather than the imposter. Stats: INT: 7 TEK: 10 REF: 8 CL: 10 MA: 6 LUK: 3 ATT: 7 EMP: 5 BOD: 8 STR: 8 Skills: Charismatic Leadership +8, Wardrobe and Style +9, Perform +9, Play Guitar +9, Composition +9, Language: Japanese +8, Melee +7, Motorcycle +6, Fencing +5, Handgun +5, Resist Torture and Drugs +5, Streetwise +2, Gamble +2, Pilot (Vect. Thrust) +2, Rifle +2, AV Tech +2, Cybertech +2, Personal Grooming +1, Awareness/Notice +1 Cybernetics: Cyberoptic (right eye) with Color Shift, Cyberarm (right) with Thickened Myomers and Ripperhand, Interface Plugs, Instrument Link, Techair, Synthskin, Audiovox, Skinweave (6 SP), Light Tatoo (Note: During the Metal Genesis tour, Warlock added a second cyberarm, another cyberoptic, cyberaudio, and two cyberlegs but had them all replaced with meat parts when the tour was finished.) Possessions: Yamaha Rapier motorcycle, Yamaha Smart Midi guitar, Kendachi powersword, Beretta model 101-T handgun, socialite suit (pants, shirt, jacket) ICARUS (aka CONQUEST) Played by Darcy Burgess FAMINE (aka FAMINE) Played by Bill Harper VX (aka PESTILENCE) NPC THE APOCALYPSE CREW SLAINE Played by Sam Parent NOSFERATU Played by Adam Joiner RAVAGE NPC STRIPE the GREMLIN NPC Real Name: Unknown Stripe was brought into the band to serve as a backup for Warlock on both guitars and vocals. He was also used as an extra gun in some of the stickier situations that the group managed to get themselves into. GM Notes: Stripe is little more than hired muscle with some musical talent. Stats: INT: 7 TEK: 8 REF: 7 CL: 6 MA: 8 LUK: 9 ATT: 5 EMP: 8 BOD: 7 STR: 7 Skills: Charismatic Leadership +4, Awareness/Notice +6, Handgun +6, Perform +5, Play Guitar +5, Motorcycle +5, Rifle +5, Streetwise +4, Martial Arts +4, Stealth +4, Composition +4, Melee +3, First Aid +2, Wardrobe and Style +2, Personal Grooming +2 Cybernetics: Cyberarms (both) with Thickened Myomers and Ripperhands, Interface Plugs, Instrument Link, Techair Possessions: Yamaha Rapier motorcycle, DPI Cybertechnic guitar, .357 Desert Eagle handgun, Militech Ronin light assault rifle, light armor pants, light armor jacket, BP t-shirt
DISCOGRAPHY The Beginning of the End. . . (2021) Metal Genesis (2022) Sonic Dreams (2022) Sign of the Aftermath (2022) The Reaving (2023) LYRICS
Excerpt from MEGACORPSE (From The Beginning of the End. . .) "Liscenced to kill for syndicated death" THE METAMORPHOSES (From Metal Genesis) "I cut myself again So I could feel the pain A reminder I still feel Made of flesh and not of steel Peeling back the layers Beneath the hardened stares Of people who can't see The harsh reality chorus The world is a machine And so are we Humanity is dead The wires inside my head Connected to the source That powers my remorse The flesh it will decay I watch it fall away I am growing more aware Living this nightmare chrous The world is a machine And so are we The world is a machine And so am I" Excerpt from IRON REVOLUTION (From Metal Genesis) "The skin is weak Metal is stong Life must die Machines live on Humanity fails Technology rules" Excerpt from GRAVEYARD GUNNER (From The Reaving) "The door lies open for all to see The graveyard gunner In a fury of bullets" Excerpt from COMPANY HONORS (From The Reaving) "We are the Children of the City Followers of the Guiding Light Shine on me"	Excerpt from PARIAH (From The Beginning of the End. . .) "The concrete jungle has its king With corporate venom's burning sting Bury the weak in industrial graves Stranglehold on society's slaves" FEED THE HUNGER (KIROSHI EYES) (From Sign of the Aftermath) "Staring at me Kiroshi eyes Cold uncaring Never cries Looking at the slaves Digging their own graves chorus Feed the hunger Getting stronger Wishing for a gun To make the killing fun Tearing through me Red hot slug Pain addiction Is a drug solo Waiting for me To awake One more needle Must I take Vanquishing the pains Running through my veins chorus Feed the hunger Getting stronger Keep selling me the cure My loyalties are pure Staring at me Kiroshi Eyes A deadly pact Between us lies My soul is yours Kiroshi eyes" Excerpt from PHANTASMAGORIA (From Sonic Dreams) "Shadowy virtues Flicker in the dark Spawned by hope Crushed by hate Dead in the heart Enigmatic thoughts Fading from the mind Born of memories Decayed by the years"
SCENARIOS 1) CONCERT CRISIS The party of characters is in attendance during an Apocalypse concert when all hell breaks loose. You should begin by describing the show as the band members tear onto the stage riding their motorbikes through a fury of pyrotechnics. Warlock takes center stage and rips off a shredding guitar solo and howls with angst using his audiovox to create cool distortion effects for his vocals. Icarus stands to one side playing his keyboards as he simultaneously creates a series of holographic projections that run throughout the duration of the show--swooping dragons breathing fire are among the most common images he uses. Famine takes the opposite side of the stage and removes his over-sized top hat, places it upside down in front of him, fills it with gasoline and sets it ablaze. VX or Ravage (depending which tour you set your timeline during) takes a place towards the rear of the stage on a raised platform with billowing clouds of noxious smoke drifting around him. Slaine stands off at the far edge of the stage in front of an enormous gong which he rings with delight at various intervals throughout the show. As the band whips the crowd into a frenzy, chaos ensues and weapons appear in the hands of many of the audience members. Carnage and mayhem follow. A contingent of raving fans storms out of the arena and marches towards the corporate sector of the city while others begin to tear down the concert hall brick by brick. The party of characters may be swept out of the building and forced into the attack on the corporate sector, or they may be having more than their fair share of difficulty just staying alive with all those crazy fans still inside. The options are endless. 2) THE BODYGUARD SYNDROME The party is approached by none other than Slaine himself and if offered a job providing security for the members of Apocalypse. They have an upcoming concert to perform and word on the street is that a number of different groups might be looking to sabotage the show. The Arasaka corporation is an obvious choice as the band has become a major thorn in their side. A black ops hit just before or after the show might not be bad, though an assassination attempt during the concert might make better headlines. Another option would be a surprise attack by the Red Flag Army following much the same pattern as above. Perhaps a rival band might take exception to the sudden popularity of Apocalypse and stage a crashing of the show. Better yet, combine all three into one huge ball fo confusion. 3) SLUMMING IT The party is out at one of their favorite Night City haunts when they just happen to run into Apocalypse. The band often slums it in various bars and nightclubs across the city and it is not unusual to find them looking for trouble in all the wrong places. The band has a particularly long-lasting dispute with the Red Chrome Legion and will often pick a fight with members of that gang without provocation. The party of characters might be present when just such a fight breaks out giving them the option of siding for or against the band. Perhaps the band is giving an impromptu concert at the bar. Once word starts to spread that Apocalypse is doing a free show, raving fans will flock to the establishment causing the potential for a minor riot to develop. 4) THE BIG HIT The party is hired to try to take out the band as they travel between concert dates. Possible employers include the aforementioned Red Flag Army, Arasaka corporation or a rival band. Apocalypse drives a large black toru bus with their logo spraypainted on the side. The bus has armor-plating and has had a hatch installed in the roof to allow a gunner (usually Slaine) to peek out and snipe at attackers. The party may use any number of methods to try and stop the band, ranging from roadblocks and disguises to a full Road Warrior style assault. Bear in mind that the band may be able to call in their own personal AV-4 for fire support if necessary. This page designed by Glenn Hall / Stormcrow of Winter Knights Creations. ©1999 Glenn Hall.