Country of origin: Germany Location: Berlin Formed: 2010 Years active: 2010-present
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Thrash Metal
Metal Wiki Notes:
Reactory was founded in early 2010 in Berlin/Germany by 4 guys which grew up with original Thrash-Metal many years ago and finally decided to make their own metal band. The idea was to kill posers, pseudo metal idiots, and to create an own sound. And for sure to go on many tours, drink a lot of beer, and present musical aggression. Loud and fast!
After starting to write some songs, in late 2010 the first demo was recorded in the practice-room. The CD version was released on their first show in december 2010, the Tape Version was released some weeks later. In 2011 the band played a lot of shows throughout Europe. In summer 2012 the EP âKilled by Thrashâ was recorded, which was released on some labels as CDs, Vinyl and Tapes in the beginning of 2013.
Formed back in 2009 from Spyros Lafias (Vocals,Guitar), Chronosphere is a new wave of thrash-death metal band based in Athens, Greece.
It started as an old school thrash metal band but since then it has developed its own style. After several changes in the line-up ,the band now consists of Spyros Lafias (Vocals,Guitar) , Vangel Nan (Bass,Backing vocals) , Thanos Krommidas (Drums) , Panos Tsampras (Guitar,Backing vocals). As of 2010 the band is a member of the Manifesto Music Movement. During the same year, the first demo (under the name Homo Sapiens) was recorded at MIH studios (Made In Hell). It is named after the song âHypnosisâ and includes 4 other songs. It soon gained attention from the media in Europe (fanzines,web-zines) and received pretty good reviews,especially for the first effort of the band. Worth to mention that all the copies of the demo disappeared within a few weeks !! The period after the recording, promotion of the demo took place while performing many live shows supporting also some of the biggest bands in Greece. Next months found the band composing new material for the first full-length album. Consequently, it entered the studio in April of 2011 and recordings were done within 3 months. The album is called âEnvirusmentâ and consists of 8 songs + 2 bonus tracks from the first demo. At this time, Chronosphere is searching for a label being also ready to tour anywhere (depending on the deal) to promote its debut album and gain attention worldwide !!
Country of origin: United States Location: San Francisco, California Formed: 1979 Years active: 1979-1989, 2009-present
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Heavy Metal (early), Progressive Thrash Metal (later)
Kirk Hammett of Metallica fame was friends with Les Claypool in high school and is said to be partly responsible for getting Les Claypool into the music scene.
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Blind Illusion is an American progressive thrash metal band from Richmond, California. Formed in 1979 by lead guitarist and main songwriter Marc Biedermann, the band had an extremely unstable lineup (Biedermann being the only constant member) and went through several stylistic changes during their time. After a 20-year hiatus, Biedermann reformed Blind Illusion in 2009 and released the bandâs 2nd album, Demon Master. As of June 2014 they are working on new material.
Blind Illusion was formed by-then-high-school student Marc Biedermann, along with many other members including keyboardist Ben Hevoroh and drummer Bret Hern. The bandâs earliest sound had been musically rooted as progressive rock, with Biedermann citing as his main inspirations Rush, King Crimson and Jethro Tull. However, external input from later musicians - many with ties to the Bay Area thrash scene - would add a heavy metal direction to the band, a style Porcupine Treeâs Steven Wilson described as being âin the veins of old Judas Priest, Angel Witch and early Fates Warningâ.
In the 1983 live recordings, heavily circulated by tape trading fans, songs like âDeath Noiseâ,âDarknessâ,âKamikazeâ,âHelter Skelter (Beatles)â and âConcerto for a Dildo, Opus Oedipus, A Lesson in Incest, The Bowel Movement in C Minorâ and âWorld Thatâs an Illusionâ were part of their set list.
By late 1984, the line-up consisted of Marc Biedermann on lead guitar, Pat Woods on rhythm guitar, Dave Godfrey on vocals, Les Claypool on bass and former Blizzard drummer Mike Miner. Before Godfrey left in 1985 to form Heathen, Blind Illusion had already released 2 demos. Bryan Kehoe was hired to fill in guitars in the studio after Woodsâ departure from the band. During this period, Blind Illusion worked extensively with bands such as Exodus and Aftermath, playing shows throughout the area.
After Cliff Burtonâs death in 1986, Claypool briefly left the band to audition as bassist in Metallica. Upon receiving the news he had not been chosen, he went on to form Primate (a precursor to popular alternative metal band Primus) but continued to write music with Blind Illusion. Mark Biedermann took over vocal duties in place of Godfrey and released a third demo that was produced by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. The band also added second guitarist John Marshall (later of Metal Church) who, in 1987, would be replaced by guitarist Larry LaLonde, formerly of pioneering death metal band Possessed; LaLonde had left Possessed after the band dissolved amid infighting. LaLonde heard about the open guitar slot via ex-Blizzard bandmate Mike Miner.
In the same year, Blind Illusion reached a record deal with Combat Records, with whom the band recorded their debut, The Sane Asylum, in 1988, also produced by Metallicaâs Kirk Hammett. The album was considered a thrash classic, featuring tracks such as âKamakaziâ and âSmash The Crystalâ. The band went on a successful tour for the album but began to fall apart by 1989. Claypool left in the middle of the tour (and was replaced by friend Adam Gates) to continue Primate. LaLonde subsequently joined Primus as guitar, and drummer Miner left at an unspecified time. After Blind Illusion broke up, Mark Biedermann briefly played bass for Heathen on their Victims of Deception album and contributed rhythm and guitar leads on three songs for Blue Ăyster Cult on their Imaginos album. Claypool and LaLonde continued success with Primus throughout the 1990s.
Blind Illusion had recorded the follow-up to Sane Asylum under the album title The Medicine Show (with the same line-up as Sane Asylum). After that the continuation of this album titled Espionage in Hell was recorded. Both of these recording were assembled and released as Psychedelic Symphony in 1989. The master tape for Medicine Show was recently restored in 2015. Espionage in Hell masters is being completed for possible release in 2015 using the best available sources.
In the 1990s Marcâs band assumed the Blind Illusion name, although the band is posthumously referred to as âLâ and made a handful of recordings and played locally in the Bay Area at places like the Berkeley Square. Many epic songs were created under this evolving/revolving line-up including the 12 minute masterpiece âLand of the Freaksâ, which is Blind Illusion meets a Pink Floyd, Chet Atkins, Carlos Santana, Grateful Dead, Neal Schon, Little Richard and a circus train with a few kitchen sinks thrown in for good measure.
Biedermann reformed Blind Illusion in 2009 with a new-lineup, and released Demon Master on July 7, 2010.
On February 7. 2015, the band announced new guitarist Aaron Knudson, who had previously played with Harald and Erik in another Bay Area thrash band called âAftershockâ, which was a spin-off of their previous band âTerminal Shockâ.
The Medicine Wheel was released by Marc Biedermann in April 2015.
Country of origin: United States Location: Passaic, New Jersey Formed: 1984 Years active: 1984-1999, 2007-present
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Speed/Thrash Metal
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Whiplash is a U.S. thrash metal band. The band was founded in 1984 in Passaic, New Jersey by the three Tonys: Tony Portaro (vocals, guitar), Tony Scaglione (drums) and Tony Bono (bass). This lineup recorded their debut album Power And Pain for Roadrunner Records in 1985. Joe Cangelosi replaced Tony Scaglione in 1986 when he left for a seven-week tour with Slayer. Joe Cangelosi recorded Ticket To Mayhem in 1987 with the two Tonys. In 1989, Glenn Hansen joined the band as the new singer for the album titled Insult to Injury. The band split up due to business reasons, but reunited in 1995 after Portaro and Scaglione joined forces in a revamped lineup of Billy Milanoâs M.O.D. for a European tour. Whiplash released two further albums, Cult of One and Sit, Stand, Kneel, Prey before the three Tonys recorded a final album together in 1998, Thrashback.
Bassist Tony Bono died in 2002 after suffering a heart attack, at the age of 38.
In 2009, founding member Tony Portaro and Joe Cangelosi reformed the band, adding bassist Rich Day, and recorded Unborn Again, released in September 2009. Whiplash played many festivals in Europe that year including Wacken Open Air in Germany, Jalometalli festival in Finland and shows in Italy, Norway, Mexico and Colombia.
In 2010, the band took a limited break due to personal legal reasons. In the start of December 2010, Tony Portaro announced the return of their original drummer, Tony Scaglione, to the band. They recruited New York bassist David âDankâ DeLong, a Pennsylvania-Dutch native, with music influences from the 80âs NY Metal/Hardcore/Punk scene. However, after two weeks, Tony Scaglione announced personal scheduling issues became his priority. With the help of Ben Ward of Orange Goblin and Nathan Perrier of Alabaster Suns, Labrat and Capricorns, Dan âLoordâ Foord (SikTh) entered into the band.
Country of origin: Germany Location: Frankfurt am Main, Hesse Formed: 1983 Years active: 1982 (as Avenger), 1982-1983 (as Vortex), 1983-present
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Thrash Metal
At first, they were known under the names Avenger and Vortex before settling with Tankard in 1983. The band chose their name after looking through a dictionary and seeing a word defined as âbeer mug.â
In the early days of the band, Gerre used to play bass and Frank Thorwarth was the singer. Later, they switched their roles.
In 1994 the band created a side-project called Tankwart (German for âgas station attendantâ) with metal/punk covers of schlager and other German-language songs.
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Tankard is a thrash metal band from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, founded in 1982. Along with the bands Kreator, Destruction and Sodom, Tankard is often considered one of the âThe Big Teutonic Fourâ of Teutonic thrash metal. They released their first record in 1986 and continue to write and record in the same vein: fast metal songs in honour of alcohol.
Tankard was formed in 1982 by three classmates, Andreas Geremia, Axel Katzmann and Frank Thorwarth; they came up with the name Tankard with the help of a dictionary. Their earliest written song was called âRay Deathâ, a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As drinking alcohol in the school was banned, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him âhanging around with a bunch of drunksâ and he was replaced by Andy Bulgaropulos.
Country of origin: Germany Location: Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia Formed: 1984 Years active: 1984-1988, 1997-present
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Speed/Thrash Metal (80âs), Melodic Power Metal (later)
Starting as a speed/thrash band that did not survive the 80s, Angel Dust were reformed by Frank Banx and Dirk Assmuth around 1996-97 with a more modern power metal style. Keyboard player Steven Banx is Frankâs younger brother.
The bandâs first two albums are now some of the rarest metal collectables in the world. They were reissued unofficially in very limited quantities in late 2002-2003. The reissues have no label or copyright info and have two bonus tracks each.
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Angel Dust (originally Angeldust) was a German heavy metal band. Initially active from 1984 to 1990 as speed and thrash metal band, they dropped their thrash roots in favor of a power/progressive metal sound upon reforming in 1998.
Angel Dust formed in Dortmund, Germany in 1984 as a typical garage band. They took their name from a song title off English black metal band Venomâs debut album Welcome To Hell. The bandâs musical style was initially heavily influenced by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and Bay Area thrash metal scenes. They soon found their niche in the speed and thrash metal styles, which were widely popular at the time. The band released their debut studio album, Into the Dark Past, in 1986, and followed it up with To Dust You Will Decay, released in 1988. The band broke up in 1990 due to internal conflicts.
Although all members had gone their separate ways, founding member Frank Banx had no desire to let the Angel Dust name die. In 1998, Banx, and original drummer Dirk Assmuth, gathered a completely new lineup (including Frank Banxâ younger brother Steven Banx on keyboards) to start from scratch. This reincarnation would handle music differently, shifting dramatically towards progressive metal, and would consequently gain a solid reputation in Europe.
After releasing a few successful albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a series of line-up changes significantly reduced the bandâs activities. However, Angel Dust are still active, and have âenter[ed] the studio [in March of 2006] to record the long awaited successor from Of Human Bondage.â
Country of origin: Germany
Location: Hannover, Lower Saxony
Formed: 2005
Years active: 2005-present
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Cripper is a Thrash metal band from Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany. Was founded in 2005 by musicians Christian Bröhenhorst and Jonathan Stenger.
In 2004, guitarists Christian Bröhenhorst and Jonathan Stenger had the idea to create a band when they were studying at Hildesheim and in late 2004, singer Britta Görtz arrived to Cripperâs born. Then the band was completed with bassist Erik Hess and drummer Dennis Weber. Months later bassist Hess was replaced by Thomas Maiwald and after by Sören Becker.
In 2006 the band released their first EP titled Killer Escort Service and in the same year Cripper played at Metaldays in Slovenia. Next year, in 2007, the band released their debut studio album, named Freak Inside, mastered by musician Andy Classen from Holy Moses. Along with bands Hatred and Spectre Dragon toured at the âTriple-Thrash-Threatâ through Germany. In 2008, Becker was replaced by Bastian Helwig and toured again with Hatred on âLost World Orderâ tour in Germany. Cripper in 2009 released their second studio album called Devil Reveals, was present at Wacken Open Air 2009 and in spring 2010 supported Overkill on their Killfest-Tour through Europe. Later in 2011 they traveled to the Caribbean to play at the biggest floating metal festival ever, the 70000 Tons of Metal.
Cripper released a third studio album in 2012, titled Antagonist. This time bassist Bastian Helwig left the band and was finally replaced by Gerrit Mohrmann. For 2014, Cripper played again at the fourth version of 70000 Tons of Metal.
Country of origin: United States
Location: Los Angeles, California
Formed: 1986
Years active: 1986-1989, 2005-2008
1986 Demo (Demo) (1986)
Terror and Submission (Full-length) (1987)
Mind Wars (Full-length) (1988)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Thrash/Speed Metal
After 1989, the band, minus Keith and Mike, relocated to Seattle and continued for a short while as Holy Terror before changing the name to Shark Chum and playing punk rock. Kurt Kilfelt reformed the band in Washington circa 2005 but the band has split-up again since then.
BNR Metal Pages Notes:
Holy Terror was formed by former Agent Steel guitarist Kurt Colfelt (though his name here is spelled âKilfeltâ for some reason) and ex-Dark Angel drummer Jack Schwarz, who left before the first album. The band played energetic thrash, similar to some of the Bay Area bands of that era, and both of their albums were quite highly regarded at the time. After years away from the scene, a modified lineup led by Colfelt and drummer Joe Mitchell emerged in 2005, but that version of the band eventually broke up as well.
Country of origin: United States
Location: Houston, Texas (1982-1983), San Francisco, California (after 1983)
Formed: 1982
Years active: 1982-present
Dirty Rotten EP (Full-length) (1983)
Violent Pacification (EP) (1984)
Dealing with It! (Full-length) (1985)
Crossover (Full-length) (1987)
4 of a Kind (Full-length) (1988)
Thrash Zone (Full-length) (1989)
Definition (Full-length) (1992)
Full Speed Ahead (Full-length) (1995)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Hardcore Punk, Thrash Metal/Crossover
D.R.I. are considered by many to be âthe fathers of crossover thrashâ along with Suicidal Tendencies, Stormtroopers of Death, M.O.D., Excel and BeowĂŒlf. The genre âcrossoverâ was also coined from their 1987 album which basically sums up the sound of the thrash metal/hardcore punk hybrid.
Evolving out of a defunct hardcore band called the Suburbanites. Singer Kurt Brecht, drummer Eric Brecht (his brother), and bassist Dennis Johnson had all played in that outfit, and with new guitarist Spike Cassidy in tow, they renamed themselves Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, after a frequent insult from the Brechtsâ father (who objected vehemently to their rehearsals). Started out as a hardcore punk band, then got thrashier and thrashier.
D.R.I. are considered one the first bands to use the blast beat with their song âNo Sense!â from their âDirty Rotten EP.â
Being one of the first crossover bands and first few hardcore acts to have acclaimed recognition from some mainstream light, D.R.I. have suffered a lot of heavy criticism from other hardcore punk bands like Sore Throat, Electro Hippies, and so on.
Although D.R.I. havenât released new material since the 90âs, they have never actually broken up. The band still tours and performs on occasions. They went on hiatus for a while (from 2006 to 2009) when Spike Cassidy was diagnosed with cancer and heâs been recovered since.
Wikipedia Excerpts:
D.R.I. (abbreviation for Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) is an American crossover thrash band that formed in Houston, Texas in 1982. Since 1999, the band comprises founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Brandon Karns and bassist Harald Oimoen.
D.R.I. never gained a mainstream audience, but the integration of their hardcore punk roots with thrash metal influences was a stylistic catalyst for their contemporaries â most notably Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion of Conformity, Stormtroopers of Death and Cryptic Slaughter â alongside whom they are considered pioneers of what would later be called âcrossover thrash.â
D.R.I. has released seven original studio albums, the last of which was released in 1995. Since then, the band has continued touring and intermittently going on hiatus. For years, there has been talk of an eighth D.R.I. album, which has yet to materialize. However, they plan to release an EP containing new material in early 2015.
Crossover thrash period (1987â1996)
When Felix joined D.R.I. in 1984 he brought a new audience to the shows. The next three years the band toured and started developing a new genre, (along with other pioneers) crossover. Their third album, Crossover, released in 1987, was suitingly named since the songs on this album had a strong metal sound to them. As the band began to âcrossoverâ to thrash, their songs became longer, slower, and more complex. The press has called D.R.I. the major band of the âcrossoverâ movement, a style that combined hardcore punk and heavy metal. This music invited a mixed audience of punks, skinheads, and metal fans to their shows.
In February 1988, the Dirty Rotten Imbeciles returned to the studio to record Four Of A Kind. The songs on this album continued in the bandâs metal style. They released a music video for the song âSuit and Tie Guyâ, and the Dirty Rotten LP was remixed to include the songs from the Violent Pacification EP, and was re-released.
Country of origin: Germany
Location: DĂŒsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia
Formed: 1986
Years active: 1984-1986 (as Samhain), 1986-1989, 1990-1994
Riders of Doom (Full-length) (1986)
Raging Steel (Full-length) (1987)
Deception Ignored (Full-length) (1988)
Life Beyond (Full-length) (1992)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Thrash Metal
BNR Metal Pages Notes:
Deathrowâs first two albums displayed the kind of noisy Germanic thrash typical of the period (similar to bands like Destruction or Iron Angel), but switched gears a bit on the latter two albums, opting for a more progressive style based on complex thrash arrangements. Deception Ignored really showed some promise, though it was a bit disjointed in places, but despite critical acclaim, the band broke up after their fourth album, the lesser-known Life Beyond.
Deathrow was a German thrash metal band. She was one of the most important representatives of German thrash metal movement (âTeutonic Thrashâ) of the 1980s.
The band was formed in 1984 by Milo, Thomas Priebe, Sven FlĂŒgge and Markus Hahn in Dusseldorf was founded under the name of Samhain. The contact of the four 17-20 year-old musician came through ads in various music magazines about. In 1985, the quartet recorded his first demo entitled The Lord of the Dead in 1986 followed Eternal Death that in the band a professional recording studio recorded. Finally, they were due to the intercession of Mille Petrozza ( Kreator ) from the German independent label Noise Records under contract. Difficulties prepared the publication of the debut album . At first, the band had to change its name at the insistence of the record company in Deathrow because Glenn Danzig previously a band called Samhain had founded. In addition, the album Riders of Doom for the North American market in Satanâs poison and had to be renamed with a different cover be provided because of the US objections to the title were registered.
Country of origin: United States
Location: Downey, California
Formed: 1983
Years active: 1981-1983 (as Shellshock), 1983-1992, 2002-2005, 2013-present
Hellâs on Its Knees (Demo) (1984)
We Have Arrived (Full-length) (1985)
Darkness Descends (Full-length) (1986)
Leave Scars (Full-length) (1989)
Time Does Note Heal (Full-length) (1991)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Thrash Metal
Meyer, Rinehart and Hoglan reformed the band in 2002 with new bass player Danyael Williams. Ron Rinehart suffered an accident in 2005 which caused a severe spinal injury, forcing them to disband again. The injury was apparently so serious that if Rinehart had continued singing it could have resulted in him being unable to walk.
On August 10, 2013, it was reported that Dark Angel would reform for a performance at Keep It True XVII festival, which takes place on April 25-26, 2014 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.
On October 13, 2013, Dark Angel posted a 17-second rehearsal clip that read âDFA is back!â, and on their Facebook page, they posted a picture of the reunion lineup, featuring four out five members of the âLeave Scarsâ lineup.
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Dark Angel is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Their over-the-top style (extremely fast, heavy and lengthy songs with lots of tempo changes, lyrics and extended instrumental parts) earned them the nickname âthe L.A. Caffeine Machineâ. Although Dark Angel had not achieved a mainstream breakthrough in their initial career, their 1986 album Darkness Descends is widely regarded as a landmark in the thrash metal genre.
After releasing four full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Dark Angel disbanded in 1992. They reformed in 2002. However, Dark Angel disbanded once again due to Ron Rinehartâs vocal issues after an accident, which forced the band to cancel plans to tour further. After months of speculation, Dark Angel officially announced their second reunion in October 2013.
Hypnosia was a Swedish Death - and thrash metal band that was founded in 1995 and in 2000 separated again.
The band was founded in 1995 by singer and guitarist Mikael âCabâ Castervall and drummer Michael âMikeâ Sjöstrand. The following year was completed with bassist and guitarist Klas Gunnarsson Carl-Petter âCalleâ mountain occupation. With Crushed Existence of 1996 and The Storms of 1997, the band released their first two demos. The EP Violent Intensity was published in the small Swedish independent label Iron Fist Records in 1999. Following the release of EP Hampus sound joined the band. This took initially the bass, then changed, however in the same year for the electric guitar. In the same year also was Hammerheart Records on the band and took them under contract.
The band developed new songs and took them into the Euphony Studios on. The album Extreme Hatred was published in 2000. After about two and a half years of searching you also found in the same year with Lenny Blade a suitable bassist. In 2002, the band split to the work of their second album, which was to be called World Sacrifice, but never appeared. In May 2012, the band released the compilation âHorror Infernalâ, which both in 1996 and 1997 appeared Demos and in 2000 published his first album. In addition, there are two cover versions and live recordings contain.
On the Myspace -Fanseite the music is described as a blend of classic Thrash and Death Metal, which springs from the 1980s and early 1990s. As influences are bands like Slayer, Dark Angel , Kreator , Sadus , Death , Sodom and Sepultura named. The frequent tempo changes are also characteristic of the band.
Country of origin: Germany
Location: Hamburg
Formed: 1983
Years active: 1980-1983 (as Metal Gods), 1983-1987, 2000-2007, 2014-present
Power Metal Attack (Demo) (1984)
Legions of Evil (Demo) (1984)
Hellish Crossfire (Full-length) (1985)
Winds of War (Full-length) (1986)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Power/Speed/Thrash Metal
The band reformed in the 00s and split-up again in October 2007 because they couldnât find suitable new members.
J.R. Blackmore, son of Ritchie Blackmore, was guest guitarist on âWinds of Warâ. In 1990 he founded the band Superstition together with Dirk Schröder and Mike Matthes.
Peter Wittke and Gunter Moritz, who had temporary replaced Lohmann on Iron Angelâs Germany tour with King Diamond in 1986, later founded Roots.
BNR Metal Pages notes:
Iron Angel was one of the better early German thrash bands, playing a crunchy, speedy, energetic form of thrash similar to then-labelmates Destruction. Hellish Crossfire is generally regarded as the better of the two albums, as Winds Of War experimented slightly with a less heavy approach. They reformed in 2000 and had progressed on a new album entitled The Rebirth, but the unfortunate and untimely death of guitarist Peter Wittke apparently put those plans to rest, as it doesnât appear that the album will be released. A second reunion came about in 2007, resulting in a new demo, but again the guys decided not to continue.
The late eighties thrash scene was mightily revitalized in 2006 and 2007, with a host of bands reliving those glory days. Southern California was one place where several such bands originated, such as Bonded By Blood and this here Fueled By Fire. Like BBB and the others, the goal here isnât innovation, not by a long shot, but simply bringing back to life one of metalâs finer moments. Who knows where these bands will be in five yearsâ time, but for now theyâre great fun to listen to.
Wikipedia.it Excerpts (translated):
The Fueled By Fire is a band thrash metal US , formed in Norwalk, California in 2002. The band belongs to the so-called wave of Thrash Metal Revival, or the development of a musical style close to that of rock bands in the '80s as the Slayer , along with bands such as Evile , Violator or Warbringer . The bandâs lyrics speak mainly of violence, madness and disease in general.
The line-up of the group has undergone very few changes from its origins, with singer and guitarist Jovanny âGioâ Herrera, lead guitarist Chris Monroy, bassist Rick Rangel and drummer Carlos Gutierrez. The young band released two demos, Life, Death and FBF (2005) and Spread The Fire !!! (2006), and then again in 2006 released her first album, with almost identical title of Spread The Fire. Shortly after, âGioâ Herrera left the band, and his place is taken by bassist Rick Rangel, while the new bassist Anthony Vasquez. Spread The Fire is then re-published after the start of the collaboration with the label Metal Blade Records , with the addition of two new songs and a different cover.
The next working group, Plunging Into Darkness , was released in 2010. It is characterized by a more aggressive sound, also because of the rotation of the item Rangel. It follows Trapped In Perdition , published in 2013.
Country of origin: United States
Location: Yonkers, New York
Formed: 1981
Years active: 1981-present
First Demo (Demo) (1982)
Second Demo (Demo) (1983)
Fistful of Metal (Full-length) (1984)
Armed and Dangerous (EP) (1985)
Spreading the Disease (Full-length) (1985)
Among the Living (Full-length) (1987)
State of Euphoria (Full-length) (1989)
Penikufesin (EP) (1989)
Persistence of Time (Full-length) (1990)
Attack of the Killer Bâs (EP) (1991)
Sound of White Noise (Full-length) (1993)
Stomp 442 (Full-length) (1995)
Nothing [EP] (1996)
Volume 8 - The Threat Is Real (Full-length) (1998)
Summer 2003 [EP] (2003)
Weâve Come for You All (Full-length) (2003)
The Greater of Two Evils (Full-length) (2004)
Worship Music (Full-length) (2011)
Anthems (EP) (2013)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Speed/Thrash Metal, Groove Metal
Anthrax was formed in July 1981, by guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Lilker. They found the name in a biology textbook and claimed it because it sounded sufficiently evil. Vocalist John Connelly joined, as did drummer Dave Weiss and a bassist named Kenny Kushner. Kenny was replaced very early on with Paul Kahn, who was found insufficient as well, so Danny Lilker took over on bass, and Greg Walls joined as second guitarist. Then Connelly and Weiss left, being replaced by Greg DâAngelo on drums, and after a series of vocalists (including Scottâs brother Jason Rosenfeld), they found Neil Turbin.
This line-up gigged frequently locally, featuring original songs like âSatanâs Wheelsâ (a song about drugs), âHunting Dogsâ, and more, and also covers by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kiss, and more. The lineup recorded a NWOBHM-sounding demo in July, 1982. Greg Walls left in the summer of 1983, and his replacement was Bob Berry for a few gigs.
Then, Dan Spitz (formerly of Overkill) joined the band, replacing Bob Berry. With Dan, second demo was recorded. In September, Charlie Benante replaced Greg DâAngelo on drums. This lineup recorded the Soldiers of Metal 7" single, produced by Ross the Boss Manowar (The B-side of this single has one of the old demos with Greg DâAngelo on it, the only âofficialâ recording with Greg!).
This demo got them a recording deal with Megaforce records, for which they recorded their debut album, Fistful of Metal, in late 1983. It was released in January of 1984, and a US tour followed, during which tensions grew between Danny Lilker and Neil Turbin. Danny Lilker was let go, and he formed Nuclear Assault with John Connelly, before moving on to a variety of other projects (Brutal Truth, Hemlock, Holy Moses, and more).
Frank Bello (Charlieâs nephew) joined on bass, and then finally Turbin was fired in July of 1984 very near the end of the tour. The last few dates featured Matt Fallon on vocals, but he was very temporary. In late 1984, the band appeared as a 4-piece, âThe Diseasedâ, with Scott on vocals. They performed a few punk covers, including âSee Nothing, Hear Nothing, Say Nothingâ by Discharge. A recording exists. Then, Joey Belladonna was found, and an EP, Armed and Dangerous, was recorded, with some old Neil Turbin stuff added to fill out the recording (two live tracks from early 1984, and the songs from the old 7"). Joeyâs debut was February 27th, 1985. Later in 1985, Scott and Danny Lilker appeared on the Stormtroopers of Death album âSpeak English or Dieâ. An Anthrax album, Spreading the Disease came soon, and US and European tours followed.
In late 1986, the Among the Living LP was recorded, and released in January of 1987. This resulted in another European tour, with Metallica and Metal Church, as well as some US touring. The âI Am the Lawâ single sold very well, due to the popularity of B-side âIâm the Manâ, a funny rap-rock effort. This song was released as a US-only EP to coincide with the US tour in the summer of 1987. This would be the first foray into the world of rap.
1988âs State of Euphoria brought more touring, with funk-metal act Living Colour in support. Then, 1990âs Persistence of Time was another success, though the recording sessions were a bit interesting, marked by the 1989 Bay Area earthquake, and also a fire. Anthrax opened for Iron Maiden in Europe, and co-headlined the Clash of the Titans tour in the US with Slayer, Megadeth and opener Alice in Chains, in 1991. Another tour followed with rap act Public Enemy, which featured live collaborations on the P.E. songs âBring the Noiseâ and âToo Much Posseâ. Anthrax then recorded an EP, Attack of the Killer Bâs, with some new material, including an update of Iâm the Man, and a cover of Bring the Noise (originally by legendary rappers Public Enemy,) as well as some live footage from the Persistence of Time tour.
Joey did very little on this EP, demonstrating a great rift between the band and Joey - Scott did most of the vocals on the two rap songs, and also the anti-censorship song âStarting Up a Posseâ. In 1992, Joey was fired from the band, and John Bush (Armored Saint) was brought in, for the âSound of White Noiseâ album in 1993. In 1994, Dan Spitz left the band, and became a born-again Christian and a watchmaker in Switzerland.
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera) helped out with some studio tracks on the 1995 album Stomp 442 and 1998âs Volume 8: The Threat is Real. For touring, Paul Crook was brought in, who also did some studio tracks on Volume 8. Charlie Benante also played guitars on the studio albums. A greatest hits album, âReturn of the Killer Aâsâ, was recorded in 2000, featuring a new song, Ball of Confusion. The Temptations cover featured both John Bush and Joey Belladonna on vocals. A tour was planned with both singers, but Joey pulled out. Nonetheless, Anthrax toured with Megadeth and Mötley CrĂŒe in 2000 until the Crue unceremoniously booted them off the bill to expand the length of their own set! Undeterred, Anthrax performed at Thrash of the Titans in 2001, and also opened up for Judas Priest in 2001-2002. After the terrorist incidents of late 2001, Scott Ian jokingly mentioned on the official website that the band has changed their name to Basket Full of Puppies. This was in response to a joke made by Jay Leno. The album Weâve Come For You All was released in 2003, followed by the live album Music of Mass Destruction in 2004. Also in 2004, Frankie Bello quit Anthrax after 20 years in the band. Joey Vera filled on a touring basis.
On April 1, 2005 Anthrax announced a reunion of the âclassic lineupâ consisting of Belladona, Bello, Benante, Ian, and Spitz. This lasted until 2007, when Belladonna and Spitz departed again (though Bello stayed around). Rob Caggiano then rejoined along with new vocalist Dan Nelson. Caggiano and John Bush had both expressed displeasure (Caggiano more vocally) at the handling of the reunion and Bush declined the invitation to return.
Nelson left for unspecified reasons in 2009 after Anthrax had already completed work on their next album. John Bush stepped in for a few live appearances before Joey Belladonna joined for the third time in May 2010.
Wikipedia Excerpts:
Style and Influences
Anthrax is one of the bands responsible for the emergence of speed and thrash metal. It exhibited a typical thrash-metal sound on its early albums and was known for humor and comic-book references in the lyrics, distinguishing the band from its contemporaries. According to Rolling Stone, Anthrax was one of the few heavy-metal bands to receive critical praise and redefine the genre during the 1980s. Original guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Spitzâ styles were described as âaggressive and head poundingâ, with power chords and âchuggingâ pedal points providing the sonic drive. Author Thomas Harrison wrote that Anthrax played metal at a faster tempo because of its punk influences, noting the groupâs âantimetal stage personaâ with âbright clothes more fit to surf culture than to metalâ. The bandâs sixth album, 1993âs Sound of White Noise (its first with singer John Bush), incorporated grunge and alternative metal influences in a darker vein. Critics consider the bandâs studio releases from the Bush era as having a more alternative and groove metal sound. The bandâs latest album, Worship Music, marked a return to thrash metal and the return of singer Joey Belladonna.
Anthrax was influenced by classic rock artists on its Anthems EP, which includes covers of 1970s bands Rush, Cheap Trick, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Boston and Journey. The band has been influenced by punk bands Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols and Discharge and traditional heavy metal bands Black Sabbath, Kiss, Judas Priest, Anvil, Iron Maiden and Motörhead. Anthrax is a member the âbig fourâ of thrash metal with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer.
Country of origin: Germany
Location: Lörrach, Baden-WĂŒrttemberg
Formed: 1984
Years active: 1984-present
Blind Destruction (Demo) (1985)
Necronomicon (Full-length) (1986)
Apocalyptic Nightmare (Full-length) (1987)
Escalation (Full-length) (1988)
Screams (Full-length) (1994)
Construction of Evil (Full-length) (2004)
Revenge of the Beast (Full-length) (2008)
Invictus (Full-length) (2012)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Thrash Metal
BNR Metal Pages Notes:
Necronomicon was one of a handful of German speed/thrash bands that starting making noise in the mid/late eighties. They recorded a trio of albums for the small Scratchcore label in the 80âs, disappeared until 1995âs Scream, and since then have recorded sporadically. Their style (at least, on their third album, 1988âs Escalation) focuses more on speed metal than true thrash, with vocals that harken a bit to the crossover movement of that time.
Country of origin: United States
Location: New York City, New York
Formed: 1982
Years active: 1982-1987, 1996, 2006-2010
Nuclear Warriors '84 Demo (Demo) (1984)
Carnivore (Full-length) (1985)
Retaliation (Full-length) (1987)
Encyclopedia Metallum notes:
Genre: Speed/Thrash Metal/Crossover
Carnivore reunited in 2006. The last reunion was 1996 when original Carnivore members Louie & Marc joined Pete for a short week-long tour from NYC to Milwaukee.
Guitar tech John Watson played in Blood of Kings, and was later a guitar tech for Type O Negative.
The sound can be described as New York thrash, with lots of punk overtones contrasting with epic doom passages.
BNR Metal Pages Notes:
Carnivore was Pete Steeleâs first major band, though he spent some time in an earlier band called Fallout. The sound here was street-level thrash, with Steeleâs vocals not too dissimilar to what is heard in Type O Negative. Though formally disbanded for some time, the odd reunion gig has taken place throughout the intervening years.
