Broken Hope is an American death metal band from Chicago, Illinois formed in 1988. The initial lineup included Joe Ptacek on vocals, Jeremy Wagner on rhythm guitar, Brian Griffin on lead guitar, and Ryan Stanek on drums. Their debut album Swamped in Gore (1991) was released under Grind Core/RedLight Label. Notable achievements include chart success with the 1995 release of Repulsive Conception and 1997's Loathing, both reaching CMJ New Music Monthly's Metal Top 25 chart. The band disbanded in 2001 due to internal conflicts and a lack of European support from Metal Blade Records. Vocalist Joe Ptacek died by suicide on January 20, 2010; Ryan Stanek passed away from a heart attack on March 1, 2015. The band reunited in 2012 and released Omen of Disease in 2013, followed by Mutilated and Assimilated in 2017. Guitarist Shaun Glass, member from 1995 to 1998, and from 2012 to 2014, died in 2026.
