Intruder is an American

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, ...

band from

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

. Formerly known as "Transgresser", the group began as a four-piece cover band. They saw the addition of rhythm guitarist Greg Messick after signing with

Metal Blade Records Metal Blade Records (often shortened to Metal Blade) is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982 based in the U.S. state of California. The label primarily focuses on heavy metal. History Metal Blade Records was ...

. Intruder released three full-length albums and one EP from 1987 to 1991 before splitting up in 1992. Since then, the band has reunited several times to play live shows.

History

The band was originally formed in 1984 under the name "Transgresser". They released demos in 1984 and 1986 (which would later appear on a re-release of their debut album). After going through several name changes they became known as "Intruder". They released their debut album '' Live to Die'' in 1987 as a four-piece band in the speed metal vein. The band signed with

in 1989. The Metal Blade years saw the entry of rhythm guitarist Greg Messick. Intruder released their second album, '' A Higher Form of Killing'', in 1989 as a five-piece band. It presented a move away from speed metal to the thrash metal scene. Intruder released the very rare ''Escape from Pain'' EP in 1990. Admittedly released as "an excuse to tour", it featured songs recorded on previous releases as well as a cover of "

25 or 6 to 4 "25 or 6 to 4" is a song written by American musician Robert Lamm, one of the founding members of the band Chicago. It was recorded in August 1969 for their second album, ''Chicago'', with Peter Cetera on lead vocals, and released as a single in ...

" by

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

. It featured just one new song, the title track. ''Escape from Pain'' was the only one of their Metal Blade releases not to be issued on the three formats of CD, cassette and vinyl. In 1991 Intruder released their final full-length album ''

Psycho Savant ''Psycho Savant'' is the third and final studio album by the metal band Intruder (American band), Intruder. It was released in June, 1991, on Metal Blade and Warner Bros. Records. The album moved toward slower tempos and longer songs (all but o ...

''. It was their only Metal Blade release to feature all original songs. After five years of releases and touring, the group disbanded in 1992. In a 2006 interview, Guitarist Greg Messick claimed that the band tried to stay together after being dropped from Metal Blade, but were ultimately unwilling due to inevitable lineup changes. Vocalist Jimmy Hamilton responded to the question of the band's split up in the same interview: Intruder did an impressive amount of touring during their short career. Although very little was done in the way of promotion, Intruder was able to tour for each release in the US, Canada and Mexico and shared stages with the likes of

Helstar Helstar is an American heavy metal band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1982 by guitarist Larry Barragan. They were an influential force in the American power metal genre emerging in the mid-1980s. History Early days and Combat era (1982–198 ...

Anvil An anvil is a metalworking tool consisting of a large block of metal (usually Forging, forged or Steel casting, cast steel), with a flattened top surface, upon which another object is struck (or "worked"). Anvils are massive because the hi ...

and

Morbid Angel Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida, formed in 1983 by guitarist, primary composer and sole remaining original member Trey Azagthoth, vocalist and bassist Dallas Ward, and drummer Mike Browning. Widely considere ...

. Since 2002, the group has reunited from time to time. They performed at the Classic Metal Fest in Ohio, 2002, and had a headlining spot at the Headbangers Open Air in Germany. They also played the Keep It True festival in Germany in 2007 and a reunion show in their home town of Nashville in November 2011, in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''Psycho Savant''. In 2004, the band re-released their 1987 debut album ''Live to Die'' through Hellion Records with six bonus tracks. They are presently in the studio working on a 'Best Of' CD which will consist of eight fan-picked tracks from the two Metal Blade Records releases, '' A Higher Form of Killing'' and ''

''. It will also contain a brand new track as well. This release sees the return of Todd Nelson on bass. This will be the first time the original Metal Blade lineup will have recorded together since 1991. 2017 was the 30th anniversary of the band. After a few years on hiatus, Intruder announced a reunion on their Facebook page on October 16, 2019, and that they were planning to play some shows in 2020, including that year's Headbangers Open Air. Longtime rhythm guitarist Greg Messick died unexpectedly on September 5, 2020, at the age of 55; his death was announced by the band that same day.

Members

;Current members * Jimmy Hamilton – vocals * Arthur Vinett – guitar * Todd Nelson – bass * John Pieroni – drums ;Former members * Greg Messick – guitar (died 2020) * Garry Todd * Chris Veach

Discography

;Studio albums * '' Live to Die'' (1987) * '' A Higher Form of Killing'' (1989) * ''

'' (1991) * ''Live to Die – Relived'' (2004) ;EP's * ''

Escape from Pain ''Escape from Pain'' is an EP by the thrash metal band Intruder. It was originally released on Metal Blade and Caroline in 1990 re issued in December, 2006 by Lost and Found Records limited to 500 copies. Escape from Pain was admittedly released ...

'' (1990)

References

External links

Official Facebook page
{{Authority control American thrash metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1987 Musical groups disestablished in 1992 American musical quintets Roadrunner Records artists Ironworks (record label) artists Metal Blade Records artists American speed metal musical groups Heavy metal musical groups from Tennessee Musical groups from Nashville, Tennessee