Anacrusis (band)
Encyclopedia
Anacrusis is a progressive
/thrash metal
band from St. Louis, Missouri
, USA. Anacrusis was one of the first bands to attempt to blend thrash and progressive metal. Their albums Manic Impressions
and Screams and Whispers are considered as classics of the progressive thrash metal / prog metal genre.
magazine and was later included in the publication's Demolition... Scream Your Brains Out! compilation album. This led to a deal with England-based indie Active Records
, for whom the group created its first album, Suffering Hour
, the following year on a meager $1,200 budget in just under a week. The following Reason album began revealing signs of the band's popular sound. Anacrusis toured in support of the band D.R.I.
, but without an album released on an American label, the drummer Mike Owen left to join the United States Navy
shortly after they returned home. Former Heaven's Flame member Chad Smith took over the drums, while the band was eventually signed to the American label Metal Blade Records
.
In 1991, Manic Impressions
was their first proper studio recorded album, recorded at Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
. A 38-city U.S. tour supporting Overkill
and Galactic Cowboys
followed a handful of Midwestern dates opening for Megadeth
earlier in the year. After the tour, on returning to St. Louis, they devoted the next few months to writing new material, and after replacing Smith with drummer Paul Miles, work finally began on their 1993 album Screams and Whispers. This was their final album, as the band broke up after its release.
In 2009, the band announced that the original line-up of Kenn Nardi, Kevin Heidbreder, John Emery and Mike Owen would reunite for a performance at the 2010 Keep It True XIII Festival in Germany. Also in 2009, the band released a CD/DVD anthology of early material on Stormspell Records. The package included their 1987 "Annihilation Complete" demo along with other demos, rehearsal recordings and early live footage.
In preparation for their first festival appearance in 17 years, Anacrusis played a reunion gig at T. Billy Buffet's, St. Louis, on April 18, 2010. The show was recorded and filmed for a later release on DVD.
Also in 2010 they released a 2-disc set titled Hindsight: Suffering Hour & Reason Revisited, which contains re-recorded versions of their first two albums.
On April 23, 2010, Anacrusis gave a performance at Germany's Keep It True XIII festival at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen
. Later that year, the band announced they had had decided to play more shows.
During the year 2010 the band worked on some new material, but by now just one new song "This killer in my house" was released on the "Silver Ag47 - Best of Anacrusis" CD.
On February 26, 2011, the band played a headliner show at the Firebird in St. Louis.
On June 12, 2011, Anacrusis played at "Rock Hard Festival" in Germany. The whole festival was filmed by German tv - WDR Rockpalast -, to be broadcasted on German television.
Furthermore the band will play at Skullfest, St. Louis, on June 24–25, 2011, and Alcatraz festival in Belgium, on August, 27, 2011.
(Note: Chad Smith is not to be confused with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
drummer of the same name).
+ = Available for download on band website.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
/thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band from St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, USA. Anacrusis was one of the first bands to attempt to blend thrash and progressive metal. Their albums Manic Impressions
Manic Impressions
Manic Impressions is an album by the band Anacrusis. In 1999, Manic Impressions was remastered and reissued.-Track listing:# "Paint a Picture" – 5:58# "I Love the World" – 4:49...
and Screams and Whispers are considered as classics of the progressive thrash metal / prog metal genre.
History
Anacrusis' first demo, Annihilation Complete was voted Best Demo of 1987 by the readers of Metal ForcesMetal Forces
The British publication Metal Forces emerged during 1983 and aided greatly in the promotion of metal and rock genre music. The magazine was well known for its coverage of unsigned bands through its Demolition feature and championed the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, HellsBelles, Overkill,...
magazine and was later included in the publication's Demolition... Scream Your Brains Out! compilation album. This led to a deal with England-based indie Active Records
Active Records
Active Records is a record sublabel of RCA. Label focuses mainly in heavy metal music.-Bands:* Atheist* Budgie* Candlemass* Therion* Destiny...
, for whom the group created its first album, Suffering Hour
Suffering hour
Suffering Hour is the first album by the St Louis thrash/progressive metal band Anacrusis, released in 1988.On this record the band consisted of Ken Nardi , Kevin Heidbreder , John Emery and Mike Owen .- Track listing :# "Present Tense" 6:22# "Imprisoned" 6:11# "R.O.T." 4:51# "Butcher's Block"...
, the following year on a meager $1,200 budget in just under a week. The following Reason album began revealing signs of the band's popular sound. Anacrusis toured in support of the band D.R.I.
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles is a thrash metal/crossover thrash band from the United States that formed in Houston, in 1982. The band currently comprises founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Rob Rampy and bassist Harald Oimoen.D.R.I...
, but without an album released on an American label, the drummer Mike Owen left to join the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
shortly after they returned home. Former Heaven's Flame member Chad Smith took over the drums, while the band was eventually signed to the American label Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
.
In 1991, Manic Impressions
Manic Impressions
Manic Impressions is an album by the band Anacrusis. In 1999, Manic Impressions was remastered and reissued.-Track listing:# "Paint a Picture" – 5:58# "I Love the World" – 4:49...
was their first proper studio recorded album, recorded at Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.-History:...
. A 38-city U.S. tour supporting Overkill
Overkill (band)
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
and Galactic Cowboys
Galactic Cowboys
Galactic Cowboys was a Heavy Metal band based in Houston, Texas. They combined progressive metal with a style of vocals influenced by The Beatles and the heavy playing style of thrash bands such as Anthrax...
followed a handful of Midwestern dates opening for Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
earlier in the year. After the tour, on returning to St. Louis, they devoted the next few months to writing new material, and after replacing Smith with drummer Paul Miles, work finally began on their 1993 album Screams and Whispers. This was their final album, as the band broke up after its release.
In 2009, the band announced that the original line-up of Kenn Nardi, Kevin Heidbreder, John Emery and Mike Owen would reunite for a performance at the 2010 Keep It True XIII Festival in Germany. Also in 2009, the band released a CD/DVD anthology of early material on Stormspell Records. The package included their 1987 "Annihilation Complete" demo along with other demos, rehearsal recordings and early live footage.
In preparation for their first festival appearance in 17 years, Anacrusis played a reunion gig at T. Billy Buffet's, St. Louis, on April 18, 2010. The show was recorded and filmed for a later release on DVD.
Also in 2010 they released a 2-disc set titled Hindsight: Suffering Hour & Reason Revisited, which contains re-recorded versions of their first two albums.
On April 23, 2010, Anacrusis gave a performance at Germany's Keep It True XIII festival at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen
Lauda-Königshofen
Lauda-Königshofen is a town in the Main-Tauber district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated on the river Tauber, 7 km southeast of Tauberbischofsheim, and 30 km southwest of Würzburg...
. Later that year, the band announced they had had decided to play more shows.
During the year 2010 the band worked on some new material, but by now just one new song "This killer in my house" was released on the "Silver Ag47 - Best of Anacrusis" CD.
On February 26, 2011, the band played a headliner show at the Firebird in St. Louis.
On June 12, 2011, Anacrusis played at "Rock Hard Festival" in Germany. The whole festival was filmed by German tv - WDR Rockpalast -, to be broadcasted on German television.
Furthermore the band will play at Skullfest, St. Louis, on June 24–25, 2011, and Alcatraz festival in Belgium, on August, 27, 2011.
Current members
- Kenn Nardi - guitars, vocals
- Mike Henricks - guitars (live 2011 shows)
- John Emery - bass
- Mike Owen - drums
Former members
- Chad SmithChad Smith (G/Z/R)Chad Smith is the drummer for G/Z/R. He replaced Deen Castronovo in 1997, and both he and Clark Brown have been members since.Born in St Louis, Chad began playing drums at the age of 12, and turned professional when aged 14...
- drums - Paul Miles - drums
- Kevin Heidbreder - guitars
(Note: Chad Smith is not to be confused with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
drummer of the same name).
Albums
- Suffering HourSuffering hourSuffering Hour is the first album by the St Louis thrash/progressive metal band Anacrusis, released in 1988.On this record the band consisted of Ken Nardi , Kevin Heidbreder , John Emery and Mike Owen .- Track listing :# "Present Tense" 6:22# "Imprisoned" 6:11# "R.O.T." 4:51# "Butcher's Block"...
(1988)+ - Reason (1990)+
- Manic ImpressionsManic ImpressionsManic Impressions is an album by the band Anacrusis. In 1999, Manic Impressions was remastered and reissued.-Track listing:# "Paint a Picture" – 5:58# "I Love the World" – 4:49...
(1991)+ - Screams and Whispers (1993)+
- HINDSIGHT: Suffering Hour & Reason Revisited (2010)
+ = Available for download on band website.
Demos
- Annihilation Complete (1986) first demo
- Annihilation Complete (1987) second demo
- Quick To Doubt (1989) - unauthorized demo
Compilations
- Demolition - Scream Your Brains Out! (1988) - Metal ForcesMetal ForcesThe British publication Metal Forces emerged during 1983 and aided greatly in the promotion of metal and rock genre music. The magazine was well known for its coverage of unsigned bands through its Demolition feature and championed the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, HellsBelles, Overkill,...
compilation with the songs "Annihilation Complete" and "Imprisoned" - Anihilation Complete - The Early Years Anthology (2009)
DVD
- Live @ Mississippi Nights 1993 (2010)
- Our Reunion - Live at St. Louis 2010 (2011)