Michael (keyboards), performing throughout 1996, including the infamous pigs head gig at The Devils Church in London. In 1997 Craig was replaced by long-time drummer Robert "Rob" Kendrick. In the same year, Hecate released its first full-length album: The Slaughter of Innocence, a Requiem for the Mighty, produced by Andy Sneap, which saw the band enter a faster, more brutal direction, with more emphasis on the symphonic interludes. Although it was very well-received, the band was criticised as a "Cradle of Filth rip-off" by Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth. In the end of 1997, Paul Massey and Marc left the band, Paul was replaced by Dylan Hughes (who returned to the band after leaving it in 1995) and Marc was replaced by long-time guitarist Andy Milnes; Next year, they released their second full-length, Dark Requiems... and Unsilent Massacre, this time lowering the speed and using the keyboards as the primary instrument and creating more horror-styled atmospheres, though still retaining the brutal heaviness of the first two albums. Change in direction, Kings of Chaos and Miasma: 1998–2001 A couple of months after the release of Dark Requiems..., due to problems and creative divergences between him and the rest of the band, vocalist Jon Kennedy was fired. Keyboardist Michael also left the band; he was then replaced by Darren "Daz" Bishop, and Kennedy was replaced by Dean "The Serpent" Seddon. In the following year they recorded their first album with Seddon, Kings of Chaos; its style changed drastically from that of the previous three releases, heading towards a more death metal-oriented direction, while still retaining the keyboards and dark black metal melodies of the older albums. In 2001, Hecate released a small EP of original songs plus a cover of "Buried Alive" by Venom, entitled Miasma. In the same year, Dean Seddon guest-starred on Akercocke's album The Goat of Mendes, providing additional vocals for the track "The Serpent". Redimus, line-up changes and Virulent Rapture: 2004–2013 In 2004, Dean temporarily left the band, and was briefly replaced by Dagon. Keyboardist Daz also left and was replaced by Pete White. However, Dean would return for the recording of their fourth studio album, Redimus. This continues along the sound originally heard on Kings of Chaos, with death metal-style guitars, tempos and growls mixed with symphonic black metal keyboards, melodies and grim screaming. There are also elements of progressive tendencies, as evidenced in the title