Earth Crisis

Biography :

One of the most anticipated and talked about reunions of 2008 was without a doubt the reformation of EARTH CRISIS. The pioneers of the hardcore, straight edge movement have now officially made the decision to carry on with the band fulltime and are proud to announce a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The group have crafted their most angst ridden and unrelenting offering of their already stellar career and this effort is going to serve as a much needed wake up call to the masses.

The Syracuse NY-based quintet EARTH CRISIS’ chugging riffs and barked declarations served as the mouthpiece of America's vegan, straight-edge movement throughout the '90s, detailing the ideas of animal and human liberation, drug-free living, and personal empowerment through hardcore song. Their vicious debut EP, Firestorm, was a landmark release for the hardcore scene that combined staccato, solo-free metal with barking, political, and militant vocals. The lyrics centered around the dangers of drug abuse and bringing "violence against violence" to drug dealers and those who would abuse animals: "a firestorm to purify."

EARTH CRISIS’ message of human, animal and environmental liberation has caused shockwaves that resonated beyond the music industry. They have received national media coverage on CNN (Earth Matters), TBS, FOX (America's Most Wanted), CBS (48 Hours), MTV (Music News) and ABC (World News Tonight). Charismatic vocalist Karl Buechner has spoken in front of members of Congress about teens and substance abuse. EARTH CRISIS epitomizes commitment, fortitude, and resilience and is an established and embraced trademark in the international metal, hardcore and punk communities.

EARTH CRISIS has continued along this path of breaking new ground, constantly working and reaching more people spreading their message to the masses. In 1996, the band released their second full-length album, Gomorrah's Season Ends, a polished and decidedly more metallic affair that produced even more anthems that became sing along worthy staples of their live performances. This exposed the band to a whole new mainstream audience. Their relentless touring has put them in front of countless national and international audiences - from the U.S. to Canada, to Europe, Japan and South America. In October 1999, they played Bogota, Columbia's Rock al Parque Festival for over 120,000 people. They have toured with bands ranging from Sepultura, Misfits, and Downset, to Snapcase, Madball and Skarhead. In 1996, they even appeared on the first ever Ozzfest along with the accompanying live CD and video that resulted from the event.

Buechner’s astounding range and vocal depth has positioned him as one of the strongest voices in rock. The musical backbone of the band has never been stronger from both songwriting and musicianship perspectives. Guitarists Scott Crouse and Erick Edwards’ sometimes pulverizing and jagged, sometimes soothing sonic barrages round out the musical savagery. Bassist Ian Edwards and drummer Dennis Merrick provide the most calculated, spontaneous and convincing percussion backdrop in hard music today. Physically the band is in its best condition ever and is determined to take over every stage, audience, and venue that they invade. In 2009, EARTH CRISIS prepares to unleash a firestorm of epic proportions proving that their message is more viable than ever. Read More...!!

Exodus

Biography :

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in the San Francisco Bay Area, California by guitarist Gary Holt, current Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, and drummer Tom Hunting.

Spanning a career of 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous line-up changes, two extended hiatuses and has seen the deaths of two former band members. With nine studio albums, two live albums and two compilations, Exodus has released a total of thirteen albums since their debut in 1985. Gary Holt remains the only steady member of the band, appearing on all their releases. Though drummer Tom Hunting is one of the founding band members, he has made two departures from Exodus but is currently the band's active drummer.

Their most recent album is Exhibit B: The Human Condition, which came out in 2010.


History :

Founding and debut (1982–1985)

In 1982, Exodus included Kirk Hammett and Gary Holt on guitars, Paul Baloff on lead vocals, Jeff Andrews on bass and drummer Tom Hunting. This lineup recorded the band's 1982 Demo.

In 1983, founding member Kirk Hammett left Exodus to join Metallica and was replaced by guitarist Rick Hunolt and Rob McKillop replaced Andrews on bass. This line-up recorded and released their debut album, Bonded by Blood in 1985.

"Pleasures" to "Violent Fun" (1986–1991)

Shortly after the recording of Bonded by Blood, Paul Baloff was replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had previously been the lead vocalist for the San Francisco band Legacy (later Testament). Baloff later went on to form the band Piranha.

Exodus' line-up remained fairly stable for the next few albums but the band never garnered the success of their peers. After two studio releases (Fabulous Disaster and Impact is Imminent) the band released their first live effort, Good Friendly Violent Fun.

"Force of Habit" to the hiatus (1991–1998)

After the release of Good Friendly Violent Fun, the band toured sporadically for a year and released another studio album, Force of Habit. This album was a departure for the band, containing several slower, "heavier" songs with less emphasis on the speed/thrash basis of their older material. The 11 minute song "Architect of Pain", is probably the slowest song Exodus ever recorded.

After a few dormant years, Exodus released only another live album in 1997 titled Another Lesson in Violence and featuring the return of vocalist Paul Baloff. Exodus disintegrated again, partly due to a falling out with record label Century Media over the way the live album was promoted, and over an aborted attempt at a live concert video which was filmed but never released due to a financial dispute.

Rise, Fall, Rise Again (2001–2004)

In 2001, Exodus reformed again, initially to play the Chuck Billy benefit, the Thrash of the Titans mega concert. There was talk of recording a new studio album and the band continued to play local gigs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. In February 2002, Paul Baloff suffered a seizure/stroke and died. Former vocalist Steve Souza was recruited back into the band to finish the rest of their concert commitments.

Although it appeared to outsiders that with Baloff's death Exodus would cease to exist, guitarist Gary Holt was determined to release a new studio record. The result was 2004's Tempo of the Damned released on Nuclear Blast Records. An oddity of the recording sessions was that one track, "Crime Of The Century", was dropped under mysterious circumstances. The song chronicled Exodus' time under Century Media (of which Nuclear Blast is a subsidiary). Although it was publicly denied, rumors swirled that Century Media forced the song off the record. "Crime" was replaced with "Impaler"; a song written back when Kirk Hammett was still in the band, and which was featured on the Another Lesson In Violence live record.

Recent events (2005–present)

In 2005, Hunolt decided to leave the band to concentrate on his family life. He was replaced by guitarist Lee Altus. Tom Hunting also left following a re-occurrence of the nervous problems that led to his temporary departure in 1989. Hunting was replaced with Paul Bostaph who had previously played with Slayer and Testament. Souza also left under disputed terms in 2005. He was replaced initially by Steev Esquivel (ex-Defiance and Skinlab) and then later by Rob Dukes whose first recorded performance for the band is 2005's Shovel Headed Kill Machine The ensuing tour for the latest album has led to extensive touring of the US and Europe, as well as Japan, their first-ever visit to Australia and much more. Tom Hunting returned to the band in March 2007.

The band released their 8th studio album, The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A, in late 2007 and performed at Wacken Open Air Festival in the summer of 2008. A US tour in support of the album followed featuring DEATHBEAT and Funeral Age as support acts.

The band have completed work on a re-recording of their 1985 debut album, "Bonded by Blood". Gary Holt has released the following statement about the band's decision to revisit their debut album:

"After many years in the planning and discussion stage, we have finally completed the re-recording of 'Bonded By Blood'. We have decided to call it 'Let There Be Blood' and it is our way of paying homage to [original, late singer] Paul Baloff by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still are. We aren't trying to replace the original; that's impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benefit of modern production. It's something we talked about before Paul's death and it's always been important to us to do. We were super excited about entering the studio once again to record these classics, and now it's back to writing the next studio record!"

Exodus revealed the name of their upcoming record Exhibit B: The Human Condition. The band recorded in Northern California with acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR) for a release via Nuclear Blast Records. Exhibit B: The Human Condition was released in Europe on May 7, 2010, and in America on May 18, 2010.

In April 2009, Exodus embarked on a co-headlining North American tour headlined by Kreator, featuring Belphegor, Warbringer, and Epicurean. Exodus then went on tour supporting Arch Enemy. The tour also featured Arsis and Mutiny Within.

It was announced in January 2010, Exodus is going to be on Megadeth's Rust in Peace 20th Anniversary tour with Testament. Exodus was featured on the cover of Decibel magazine's June 2010 issue, with a feature article on them.

Exodus's song 'Riot Act' was put on the rock band network (for Xbox only) on 06/05/2010.


Band Members :

Current members :

* Rob Dukes – Lead vocals (2005–present)
* Gary Holt – Guitar (1980–1993, 1997–1998, 2001–present)
* Lee Altus – Guitar (2005–present)
* Jack Gibson – Bass (1997–1998, 2001–present)
* Tom Hunting – Drums (1980–1989, 1997–1998, 2001–2004, 2007–present)

Former members :

* Paul Baloff – Lead vocals (1982–1986, 1997–1998, 2001–2002) (deceased)
* Steve Souza – Lead vocals (1986–1993, 2002–2004)
* Rick Hunolt – Guitar (1983–1993, 1997–1998, 2001–2005)
* Rob McKillop – Bass (1983–1991)
* Michael Butler – Bass (1992–1993)
* John Tempesta – Drums (1989–1993)
* Paul Bostaph – Drums (2005–2007)
* Kirk Hammett – Guitar (1980–1983)
* Evan McCaskey – Guitar (1983) (deceased)
* Steev Esquivel – Lead vocals (2004)
* Keith Stewart – Lead vocals (1980–1981)


Discography :

* Exodus - Bonded by Blood (1985)
* Exodus - Pleasures of the Flesh (1987)
* Exodus - Fabulous Disaster (1988 in Europe[2]; 1989 in the United States)
* Exodus - Impact is Imminent (1990)
* Exodus - Force of Habit (1992)
* Exodus - Tempo of the Damned (2004)
* Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005)
* Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A (2007)
* Exodus - Exhibit B: The Human Condition (2010)

Read More...!!

Enslaved

Biography :

Enslaved is a progressive black metal band formed in June 1991 in Haugesund, Norway, and currently based out of Bergen, Norway.


History :

Enslaved was formed in June 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson (also known as Kjell Grutle) when they were 13 and 17 years old, respectively. The band name was inspired by an Immortal demo track, "Enslaved in Rot". After many line-up changes throughout their career, Bjørnson and Kjellson are the only remaining original members. By 2004 the line-up solidified with guitarist Arve Isdal, drummer Cato Bekkevold, and keyboardist/vocalist Herbrand Larsen.

Bjørnson and Kjellson had been playing in a death metal band called Phobia, but like many in the burgeoning black metal movement, they were looking for new sources of inspiration and expression. Though Enslaved began as a prototypical Norwegian black metal band, they always incorporated song structures unusual for the genre, with several of their early songs expanding past the ten-minute mark. The album Eld (1997) is often considered to be the beginning of the band's shift towards progressive metal; that album's sixteen-minute track "793 (Slaget om Lindisfarne)" is often regarded as one of the peaks of the band's career. The band's shift toward progressive black metal was rendered complete with Mardraum (2000), which contained several multi-part epics such as "Større enn tid - Tyngre enn natt" and "Entrance - Escape"; from that point onward, the band's influence from progressive rock became stronger on each successive record, with several tracks (most prominently, "As Fire Swept Clean the Earth" from Below the Lights) even using Mellotron. Mardraum, Monumension (2001), and Below the Lights (2003) can be regarded as having somewhat similar styles, although there is a clear progression of sound between the albums regardless; however, Isa (2004) and Ruun (2006) show a marked departure from previous sounds, most notably, with inclusion of sharp dynamic shifts.

Although the band has used mainly English lyrics since Monumension, their albums before that were mostly recorded in Norwegian except on their first full-length album, where three songs had Icelandic lyrics, while the lyrics on Heimdallr was an Old Norse excerpt from Gylfaginning by Snorri Sturluson. Most of their lyrics relate to Norse mythology.

In 2007-2008 Bjørnson, Kjellson, and Isdal collaborated with the Norwegian noise duo Fe-Mail, under the name Trinacria. Enslaved released the album Vertebrae in September 2008. On this particular album, many of their techniques, particularly harmonies, have been compared to Pink Floyd. After touring Europe extensively, Enslaved embarked on a North American tour with the progressive death metal band Opeth in May 2009.

On 15 July 2010, Enslaved announced Axioma Ethica Odini as the title of its eleventh studio album, scheduled to be released in Europe on September 27 and in North America on September 28.


Band Members :

Current Members :

* Grutle Kjellson – Lead Vocals, bass (since 1991)
* Ivar Bjørnson – Lead Guitar (since 1991)
* Arve "Ice Dale" Isdal – Rhythm Guitar (since 2002)
* Cato Bekkevold – Drums (since 2003 - Formerly of Red Harvest)
* Herbrand Larsen – Keyboards, Backing Vocals (since 2004)

Former Members :

* Trym Torson (Kai Johnny Mosaker) – Drums (1991–1995)
* Harald Helgeson – Drums (1995–1997)
* Per Husebø (also known as Dirge Rep) – Drums (1997–2002)
* Roy Kronheim – Guitar (1997–2002)


Discography :

Studio Albums and EPs :

* Enslaved - Hordanes Land (EP) (1993)
* Enslaved - Vikingligr Veldi (1994)
* Enslaved - Frost (1994)
* Enslaved - Eld (1997)
* Enslaved - Blodhemn (1998)
* Enslaved - Mardraum - Beyond the Within (2000)
* Enslaved - Monumension (2001)
* Enslaved - Below the Lights (2003)
* Enslaved - Isa (2004)
* Enslaved - Ruun (2006)
* Enslaved - Vertebrae (2008)
* Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini (2010)

Read More...!!

Emperor

Biography :

Emperor were a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991. They dissolved in 2001, but reunited in 2006 and again in 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours. The group was founded by Samoth on drums and Ihsahn on guitar and vocals.


History :

In their youth, Ihsahn and Samoth met at a rock music seminar. The two young men began playing together under various names; first Dark Device, then Xerasia, then Embryonic. The group soon evolved into the now well-known band Thou Shalt Suffer. Soon, however, Samoth began to write music outside of Thou Shalt Suffer, and together with Ihsahn and a new bass player called Mortiis (later of his own eponymous band Mortiis), Emperor was formed. After a short while together, the band released a demo entitled Wrath of the Tyrant. It quickly gained popularity in the underground and attracted the attention of the then-start-up label Candlelight. Soon afterwards, a record contract was signed, Samoth moved to rhythm guitar, Ihsahn continued the vocal duties and lead guitars, and Faust was recruited as a drummer. The band was signed to the infamous first black metal label, Deathlike Silence Productions, and planned to release their next album soon, though the band never managed to release any material while signed to DSP.

In the summer of 1992, a series of events were set in motion by the black metal inner circle. Samoth, along with various other black metallers, set out to burn down the ancient churches of Norway. Also in 1992, Faust lived in Lillehammer, and in the newly-constructed Olympic park a homosexual man named Magne Andreassen approached him and suggested that they take a walk in the nearby forest. Faust agreed, and, once in the forest, the man began to make strong sexual advances towards him. Faust then stabbed the man to death, kicking him in the head afterward to ensure that he was dead. He was not convicted until two years later. The day after Faust committed the murder, he went with Euronymous and Varg Vikernes of Mayhem to burn the Holmenkollen Church in Oslo. In the summer of 1993, the band began working on their first full-length album. Emperor toured with the then little known British group Cradle of Filth, and after this tour the band ceased wearing corpse paint; they stated that it was becoming a trend and losing its original significance and symbolism. In autumn of that year, the police began to investigate the murder of Euronymous of Mayhem, naming Varg Vikernes as a suspect; this investigation eventually led to the incarceration of Samoth for arson, and of Faust for the murder of Magne Andreassen.

In 1994, Samoth was sentenced to 16 months in prison for burning the Skjold Church in Vindafjord, together with Varg Vikernes. The arson was committed during a pause in the recording of the Burzum EP Aske (Ashes). In 1994, In the Nightside Eclipse was released, and earned Emperor widespread acclaim and a large fanbase. The album is considered by many a definitive black metal record, with its epic, evolving song structures, ambient keyboard sounds, and raspy, spewed vocals.

After Samoth's parole, the band was joined by Trym and Alver on drums and bass respectively, and at the end of 1996, Emperor entered the studio to record Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk. Featuring a much more progressive sound than their earlier works, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk won the 'album of the year' poll in many popular metal magazines around the world, including UK Terrorizer and US Metal Maniacs. Bassist Alver soon left.

Now continuing their career as a trio, with Ihsahn handling keyboards, vocals, guitars and bass, the band recorded their third album IX Equilibrium and toured Europe and the United States. It was around 2000 when Samoth and Trym started to gravitate more towards death metal, while Ihsahn directed his musical exploration towards the more artistic and progressive side of extreme metal, as shown by his side project, Peccatum. Thus, in 2001, Emperor decided to disband after releasing one final album, Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise, composed entirely by Ihsahn.

Following the breakup, Samoth and Trym continued playing in the black/death metal outfit Zyklon, while Ihsahn concentrated on his family project Peccatum. Later Ihsahn announced a solo project, much in the vein of Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise and Peccatum, featuring drummer Asgeir Mickelson of Borknagar and Vintersorg. It has generated positive feedback in the black metal community.

Recently, Ihsahn announced an Emperor Tablature Book based on their Scattered Ashes: A Decade of Emperial Wrath compilation album, containing thirteen Emperor tracks from their back catalogue. It will be transcribed by Ihsahn with a foreword also by him, and is to be released October 31 via Candlelight Records. Emperor's albums were also re-issued in a special box version with a bonus poster on Aug. 21, 2007.

Samoth announced on October 23, 2007 that Emperor had begun preparing a second official DVD release. On December 8, 2008 it was revealed that this release will be called Live Inferno and come in the form of a double-disc live album and a live DVD, taken from their appearances at Inferno and Wacken metal festivals during their brief reunion. It was released on April 16, 2009 in Europe and April 21 in North America.

Live performances

The band played in Mexico city on July 24, 1999. Some years later the band played a surprise three-song show in Oslo on 30 September 2005, at which they announced a series of full concerts to take place in California, New York City, and Europe in 2006. As of February 2006, they were also scheduled to play at the Inferno festival in April and Wacken Open Air in August. Samoth unfortunately was unable to take part in the US tour dates, as his conviction for the arson he committed in 1992 lengthened the process for his visa application, so Emperor performed without him.

On October 7, 2006, Emperor performed at the under-18 Motstøy-festival in their home town of Notodden. The band had wanted to do an under-18 gig and a gig at their home town, so the festival fit perfectly. It was held at a small venue called StuA, and with only 450 tickets available, the concert quickly sold out.

On October 28, 2006, Emperor returned to the UK to play a gig at London's Astoria venue, where the band was warmly greeted by fans. In 2007, Emperor played a series of one-off shows in the United States and two festival gigs in France and Finland.


Band Members :

Final Members :

* Ihsahn (Vegard Sverre Tveitan) - Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards (1991– 2001, 2006, 2007)
* Samoth (Tomas Haugen) - Guitars, Bass Guitar, Drums, Vocals (1991–2001, 2006, 2007)
* Trym Torson (Kai Johnny Mosaker) - Drums (1996–2001, 2006, 2007)

Former Members :

* Alver (Jonas Alver) - Bass Guitar (1995–1998)
* Tchort (Terje Schei) - Bass Guitar (1993–1994)
* Mortiis (Håvard Ellefsen) - Bass Guitar (1991–1992)
* Faust (Bård Eithun) - Drums (1992–1993)

Live and Session Members :

* Secthdamon (Odd Tony) - Bass Guitar (2005–)
o Also involved in Zyklon and Myrkskog.
* Einar Solberg - keyboards (2005–)
o Also involved in Leprous
* Charmand Grimloch (Joachim Rygg) - Keyboard (1996–1999)
o Also involved in Tartaros and The Thrill
* Tyr (Jan Erik Torgersen) - Bass Guitar (1998–1999)
o Also involved in Borknagar and Vintersorg.
* Ildjarn (Vidar Vaaer) - Bass Guitar (1993)
o Also involved in Ildjarn and Thou Shalt Suffer.
* Sverd (Steinar Johnsen) - Keyboards (1994–1995)
o Also involved in Arcturus and The Kovenant.


Discography :

* Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)
* Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk (1997)
* Emperor - IX Equilibrium (1999)
* Emperor - Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise (2001) Read More...!!