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Watchtower (band)
Watchtower is an American progressive metal band based in Austin, Texas, active from 1982 to 1993 and they have reunited occasionally since 1999. The band has released two studio albums―''Energetic Disassembly'' (1985) and ''Control and Resistance'' (1989)―as well as one Demonstrations in Chaos, compilation album, four digital singles, one EP and three demo cassettes, and has been featured on numerous compilation albums. They are also notable for featuring vocalist Jason McMaster, who left Watchtower after the release of ''Energetic Disassembly'' to form Dangerous Toys, and was replaced by Alan Tecchio, who appeared on ''Control and Resistance'' and the band's 2016 EP ''Concepts of Math: Book One''. After leaving the band once again in 2010, McMaster returned to Watchtower a second time in 2023. Influenced by progressive rock and the then-burgeoning new wave of British heavy metal scene, Watchtower has been credited (along with Voivod (band), Voivod and Coroner (band), Coro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Austin, Texas
Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the Metropolitan statistical area, 26th-largest metropolitan area in the United States, the List of United States cities by population, 13th-most populous city in the United States, the List of cities in Texas by population, fifth-most populous city in the state after Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth, and the second-most populous state capital city after Phoenix, Arizona. It has been one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States since 2010. Downtown Austin and Downtown San Antonio are approximately apart, and both fall along the Interstate 35 in Texas, I-35 corridor. This combined metropolitan region of San Antonio–Austin met ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Progressive Rock
Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog) is a broad genre of rock music that primarily developed in the United Kingdom through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early-to-mid-1970s. Initially termed " progressive pop", the style emerged from psychedelic bands who abandoned standard pop or rock traditions in favour of instrumental and compositional techniques more commonly associated with jazz, folk, or classical music, while retaining the instrumentation typical of rock music. Additional elements contributed to its " progressive" label: lyrics were more poetic, technology was harnessed for new sounds, music approached the condition of " art", and the studio, rather than the stage, became the focus of musical activity, which often involved creating music for listening rather than dancing. Progressive rock includes a fusion of styles, approaches and genres, and tends to be diverse and eclectic. Progressive rock is often associated with long solos, exte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cynic (band)
Cynic is an American progressive metal band formed in Miami, Florida in 1987. The band has been primarily based in California since the late 1990s (or 1996), marking a significant shift in their geographic and creative roots. Paul Masvidal originally served solely as the band's guitarist, but later took over as lead vocalist and chief songwriter. Cynic incorporates elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their first album, ''Focus'', was released in 1993. Cynic disbanded in 1994, reunited in 2006, and released their second album in 2008. '' Traced in Air'' was released through French label Season of Mist, followed up by an EP titled '' Re-Traced'' in 2010 and an EP titled '' Carbon-Based Anatomy'' in 2011. Their third studio album, '' Kindly Bent to Free Us'', was released in 2014. In December 2017, after two years of uncertainty surrounding his involvement, founding drummer Sean Reinert confirmed his split from Cynic. Reinert later died unexpectedly, at the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pestilence (band)
Pestilence is a Dutch death metal band founded in Enschede in 1986. They have been through various membership changes throughout their existence, with guitarist-vocalist Patrick Mameli as the sole constant member. After disbanding in order to pursue other musical directions in 1994, Pestilence reunited in 2008, and was put on a "permanent hold" in July 2014. However, the band reunited once again in October 2016. To date, Pestilence has released ten studio albums, and they are one of technical death metal's "big four", along with Death (metal band), Death, Atheist (band), Atheist, and Cynic (band), Cynic. History Early career (1986–1990) Pestilence started in the Netherlands in mid-1986 as a thrash metal band. The lineup, consisting of Patrick Mameli (guitar, vocals), Randy Meinhard (guitar), and Marco Foddis (drums), recorded two demos before gaining the attention of Roadrunner Records. After the first demo, Martin van Drunen (bass, vocals) joined them. After signing with Roa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atheist (band)
Atheist is an American death metal band from Sarasota, Florida, founded in 1987. The band's original lineup consisted vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kelly Shaefer, lead guitarist Rand Burkey, bassist Roger Patterson and drummer Steve Flynn. The band is known for its highly technical playing style, and its 1991 album '' Unquestionable Presence'' is regarded as a landmark of the technical death metal genre. The band gained a following largely within its own genre. After disbanding in 1994, the group reformed in 2006 and has since released one studio album and a live DVD. History The band was originally formed in 1984 in Sarasota, Florida, firstly under the name Oblivion and later as R.A.V.A.G.E. (which stands for "Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End"). Kelly Shaefer stated that on two occasions early in the band's career, the police were called on the band by the management of the clubs they were performing at, leading them to be "drag edout" of the venues. Shaefer recalled th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Annihilator (band)
Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in Ottawa in 1984 by Jeff Waters. Waters is the band's sole constant member and has acted as its guitarist, bandleader, writer, producer, engineer, and occasional bassist and vocalist. Annihilator has released seventeen studio albums and has undergone many line-up changes, with Waters regularly assembling touring or session musicians to perform with him. Along with Sacrifice (band), Sacrifice, Voivod (band), Voivod and Razor (band), Razor, Annihilator has been referred to as one of the "Big Four" of Canadian thrash metal. They are also considered to be part of the "second wave" of thrash metal bands from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Annihilator is the highest-selling Canadian heavy metal group, although most sales have been generated outside of Canada. The band's first two studio albums, ''Alice in Hell'' (1989) and ''Never, Neverland'' (1990), are considered to be influential Canadian metal records. Many of their subsequent ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Death (metal Band)
Death was an American death metal band formed in Altamonte Springs, Florida, in 1983 by guitarist Chuck Schuldiner (who later became the band's sole vocalist), drummer/vocalist Kam Lee and guitarist Rick Rozz. Formed out of what would become the Florida death metal scene, Death is considered to be a pioneering band in death metal. The band's 1987 debut album, '' Scream Bloody Gore'', has been widely regarded as one of the first death metal records, alongside the first records from Possessed and Necrophagia. Death had a revolving lineup, with Schuldiner, aside from a European tour, being the sole consistent member. The group's style also progressed, from the raw sound on its first two albums to a more complex one in its later stage. The band disbanded after Schuldiner died of glioma and pneumonia in December 2001, but remains an enduring influence on heavy metal. History Early history (1983–1985) Founded in either 1983 or 1984 by Chuck Schuldiner under the original ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 in Boston, Massachusetts. The band comprises John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), Mike Portnoy (drums), James LaBrie (vocals) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards). Dream Theater was formed under the name Majesty by Petrucci, Myung and Portnoy—all natives of Long Island, New York (state), New York—while they attended Berklee College of Music. They dropped out to concentrate on the band. Petrucci and Myung have been the only two constant members. Portnoy remained until 2010, when he was replaced by Mike Mangini after deciding to leave to pursue other musical projects, before rejoining Dream Theater in October 2023. After a brief stint with Chris Collins, followed by Charlie Dominici (who was dismissed from Dream Theater shortly after the release of their 1989 debut album ''When Dream and Day Unite''), LaBrie was hired as the band's singer in 1991. Dream Theater's original keyboardist, Kevin Moore, left the ban ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Testament (band)
Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band's current lineup includes rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Chris Dovas. Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since reunited with Skolnick, who left the band from 1992 but rejoined in 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original frontman Steve Souza, Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had left to replace Paul Baloff in Exodus (band), Exodus. Peterson and Billy are the only members to appear on all of Testament's studio albums. The band has released thirteen studio albums (one of which is a collection of re-recorded songs), four live albums, five compilation albums, thirteen singles and three DVDs. They are estimated to have sold over 1.4 million albums i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heavy Metal Music
Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a Music genre, genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and United States. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock and acid rock, heavy metal bands developed a thick, monumental sound characterized by distortion (music), distorted guitars, extended guitar solos, emphatic Beat (music), beats and loudness. In 1968, three of the genre's most famous pioneers – British bands Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple – were founded. Though they came to attract wide audiences, they were often derided by critics. Several American bands modified heavy metal into more accessible forms during the 1970s: the raw, sleazy sound and shock rock of Alice Cooper and Kiss (band), Kiss; the blues-rooted rock of Aerosmith; and the flashy guitar leads and party rock of Van Halen. During the mid-1970s, Judas Priest helped spur the genre's evolution by discarding much of its blues influence,Walser (1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Speed Metal
Speed metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' (Berg Publishers, 2007), , p. 31. It is described by AllMusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music. It is usually considered less abrasive and more melodic than thrash metal. However, speed metal is usually faster and more aggressive than traditional heavy metal, also showing more inclination to virtuoso soloing and featuring short instrumental passages between couplets. Speed metal songs frequently make use of highly expressive vocals, but are usually less likely to employ "harsh" vocals than thrash metal songs. Origins New wave of British heavy metal One of the key influences on the development of speed metal was the new wave of British heavy metal, or NWOBHM. This was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s in Britain and achieved intern ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thrash Metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with Shred guitar, shredding-style lead guitar work. The genre emerged in the early 1980s as musicians began fusing the double bass drumming and complex guitar stylings of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) with the speed and aggression of hardcore punk and the technicality of progressive rock. Philosophically, thrash metal developed as a backlash against both the conservatism of the Reagan era and the much more moderate, Pop music, pop-influenced, and widely accessible heavy metal subgenre of glam metal which also developed concurrently in the 1980s. Derived genres include crossover thrash, a fusion of thrash metal and hardcore punk. Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
