Iced Earth is an American power metal band that combine heavy metal and speed metal/thrash metal genres in their music. The band was formed by Jon Schaffer, the lead songwriter and rhythm guitarist, in Tampa, Florida in 1984. The original name of the band was Purgatory but was then changed to Iced Earth. Iced Earth’s music is often described as the style of Iron Maiden combined with 80’s thrash metal.
Morbid Angel is a Tampa, Florida, United States-based death metal band assembled in 1984. They, along with Deicide, Death, Possessed, Autopsy, Suffocation, Obituary, Massacre and a handful of others were crucial in the development of the death metal genre and its standards. Their songs are complex in arrangement, owing to the considerable technical skills of both guitarist Trey Azagthoth and drummer Pete Sandoval (who also played in the grindcore/death metal band Terrorizer).
Segression was a heavy metal band from Wollongong, Australia. Originally known as Eezee and playing sleaze metal, the group decided to change its name after moving into in a thrash direction in mid-1994. As Eezee, the band had recorded an EP in 1993 and the 1995 album Rise From Darkness. The group had also played support shows with Morbid Angel, Machine Head and Deicide. The line-up at this time was Christiaan Rand (bass, vocals), Chris Sellin (guitar), James Broadbent (guitar) and John Buckley (drums).
Suicidal Tendencies is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Venice, California. Sometimes regarded as the progenitors of skate punk, they later incorporated significant heavy metal and thrash elements. The group, led by Mike Muir ("Cyco Miko"), had a rough start that included being voted "Worst Band/Biggest Assholes" in Flipside in 1982. Using the opposition to fuel creativity, they quickly gained a following, performing larger and larger gigs.
Grim Demise are a thrash metal band based in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. The band was formed by two ex-members of the now defunct band Seventh Eve, Richard and Luke (Pendo). They decided to leave because as the band's main songwriters they had begun to write material that, according to the other members, did not fit in with the band's melodic sound. Shortly after their departure, they began the search for a bassist.
It started in the summer of 1999 when Roberth, Janne, Mikael and Jonas began to talk about forming a new band. They wanted to build a brutal and straight-forward metal act. And in autumn that same year they started to rehearse. One day their friend Janos stopped by during a rehearsal-session. He asked if he could join and soon he was a permanent member of the band. Their line-up was now complete.
Soulfly is a metal band formed in 1997 in Phoenix, Arizona. Led by founder, frontman, songwriter and only constant member Brazilian Max Cavalera, who formed the band after he left influental Brazilian death/thrash band Sepultura in 1996. The band has released seven studio albums, one tour EP, several singles, and two DVD videos. Soulfly incorporates diverse heavy metal styles with Brazilian tribal and world music.
There are three bands with this name. Leprosy from Mexico which was active with the Ex lead singer of the band Transmetal "Pimentel." Leprosy from the Paul Green School of Rock in Downingtown, PA. and Als, and finally Leprosy; a punk band from Melbourne Australia playing in the style of UK82 such as Disorder and Finnish punk such as KAAOS. Leprosy from PA have a sound very similar to Cannibal Corpse's, albeit the vocals are not quite as strong. The general song content is similar.
Impiety's diabolical birth began in January 1990 with : Shyaithan (bass/vocals), XXXul (guitars) and Iblyss (battery) under heavy influences of SODOM, early BATHORY, early SARCOFAGO, early POSSESSED, early MORBID ANGEL , INCUBUS (fl.), BLASPHEMY, SEXTRASH, etc. IMPIETY recorded & released a 5 song promo tape in 1992 entitled "Ceremonial Necrochrist Redesecration", despite it's low sound production , it was positively received and praised very well in the metal underground worldwide. In 1993, IMPIETY was signed-up by SHIVADARSHANA .
GWAR is a satirical thrash metal/punk band formed in 1985-1986 by a group of artists and musicians at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. The band is perhaps best known for their elaborate sci-fi/horror film inspired costumes, raunchy lyrics, and graphic stage performances, which can consist of scatology, sadomasochism, necrophilia, paedo-necrophilia, beastio-necrophilia, fire dancing, fake pagan rituals, mock executions/mutilations, and other controversial violent and political themes.