Heathen (band)
Encyclopedia
Heathen is an American
thrash metal
band originating from the Bay Area San Francisco, founded in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus
and drummer
Carl Sacco. They have released three albums, Breaking the Silence (1987), Victims of Deception (1991) and The Evolution of Chaos (2010).
and drummer Carl Sacco (formerly of Metal Church
), who later recruited lead vocalist Sam Kress and guitarist Jim Sanguinetti. Shortly after their first gig in 1985, Sam Kress and Jim Sanguinetti (the latter went on to form the band Mordred) left the group and were replaced by vocalist David Godfrey (formerly of Blind Illusion
) and guitarist Doug Piercy (formerly of Anvil Chorus
and Control). The band also recruited bassist Eric Wong around the same time. This lineup debuted in early 1986 and soon became prolific around the Bay Area. Their early style could be described as the aggression of thrash metal combined with NWOBHM
-style vocals and arrangements, acoustic like intros or outros, and fast-paced melodic shred solos.
Heathen's break came when they released their Pray For Death demo, which in 1987 resulted in their signing by Combat Records
. Shortly after their signing Eric Wong left the band to join Piranha. Former Griffin guitarist Mike "Yaz" Jastremski became the new bassist.
Heathen's debut album Breaking the Silence
was released in 1987. The album was well received critically and featured one very successful single, a cover of the 1970s glam rock
band Sweet
's song "Set Me Free". The song got some rock radio airplay and the video received rotation on MTV
's Headbanger's Ball. The band embarked on a tour in support of the album.
In 1988 Carl Sacco left due to musical differences. He was replaced by Darren Minter. Mike Jastremski left the band shortly after, and the band went through number of bassists and vocalists between 1988 and 1991. In 1989 David Godfrey left the band due to personal and musical differences. For a few months the late ex-Exodus
vocalist Paul Baloff
became the band's vocalist. They also briefly toured with late Metal Church
vocalist David Wayne
. In late 1988, Rick Weaver was recruited from the band (The Dispossessed
) that had opened for the Midwest leg of the national tour. He left amicably in 1989 citing creative differences. In 1990, Godfrey (now going by David White) returned to Heathen.
In order to record their album Victims of Deception
, Heathen recruited Blind Illusion
mainman Marc Biedermann
to play bass in the studio. The album was released in 1991 through Roadrunner Records
. Victims of Deception was considerably more technical, featuring odd time signatures, more complex riffs and songs, tempo and key changes, and longer song lengths, and is often described as progressive thrash metal. It was also critically acclaimed, though it was not quite as commercially successful as Breaking The Silence. The cover of Rainbow
's "Kill the King" and original ballad "Prisoners of Fate" were released as singles and had minor rock radio airplay.
That year Heathen found a permanent bassist in Randy Laire and toured extensively until the untimely death of Laire and his girlfriend in a car accident. The band replaced him with Jason Viebrooks
. Doug Piercy departed from the band in 1992 and was replaced by Ira Black
. The band planned to record a covers EP dedicated to Laire and his girlfriend as well as White's deceased brother Jeffery. But the band went on hiatus in 1992.
concert to help Chuck Billy
and Chuck Schuldiner
raise funds for Billy's throat cancer treatment and Schuldiner's brain cancer treatment. The concert was a huge success, but in 2004, Mike "Yaz" Jastremski left the band again, and was replaced by Ulysses Siren bassist Jon Torres. A full-length album, Recovered was released on Relentless Metal Records, consisting of re-recorded old material and cover songs. A new demo was released in August 2005, containing three new songs.
Heathen recruited Terry Lauderdale in 2005 to be the second guitarist and toured across Europe. Also in 2005, Lee Altus joined Bay Area thrashers Exodus
, but remained on Heathen's lineup. In November 2007, the band recruited Prototype
guitarist Kragen Lum and Mark Hernandez to replace Minter and Piecy. In addition, drummer Darren Minter returned to the band. released The Evolution Of Chaos on King Records in Japan Dec 23, 2009, Mascot Records Jan. 25, 2010 and Mascot Records USA in Feb 2010. This album soon became www.metallian.com's Album Of The Month.
Heathen played at the Rock Hard Festival in Germany 2009 and later supported Testament
, Exodus
, and Kreator
at Thrash Domination in Kawasaki
, Japan, where they were anecdotally considered best band by the fans on the Thrash Domination forum. In support of Heathen's first original album since 1991, "Evolution Of Chaos", Heathen toured in April and May 2010 after having to cancel their planned March dates.
Guitarists
Bassists
Drummers
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 originating from the Bay Area San Francisco, founded in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus
Lee Altus
Lee Altus is an American heavy metal guitarist. Altus first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his original band, Heathen, where Altus displayed his highly technical neoclassical guitar playing style...
and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Carl Sacco. They have released three albums, Breaking the Silence (1987), Victims of Deception (1991) and The Evolution of Chaos (2010).
First era (1984-1992)
Heathen was formed in 1984 by guitarist Lee AltusLee Altus
Lee Altus is an American heavy metal guitarist. Altus first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his original band, Heathen, where Altus displayed his highly technical neoclassical guitar playing style...
and drummer Carl Sacco (formerly of Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
), who later recruited lead vocalist Sam Kress and guitarist Jim Sanguinetti. Shortly after their first gig in 1985, Sam Kress and Jim Sanguinetti (the latter went on to form the band Mordred) left the group and were replaced by vocalist David Godfrey (formerly of Blind Illusion
Blind Illusion
Blind Illusion is an American progressive thrash metal band from Richmond, California. Formed in 1979 by lead guitarist and main songwriter Marc Biedermann, the band had an extremely unstable lineup and went through several stylistic changes during their time...
) and guitarist Doug Piercy (formerly of Anvil Chorus
Anvil Chorus
The Anvil Chorus is the English term for the Coro di zingari , a piece of music from Act 2, Scene 1 of Giuseppe Verdi's Il trovatore which depicts Spanish Gypsies striking their anvils at dawn – hence its English name – and singing the praises of hard work, good wine, and their Gypsy...
and Control). The band also recruited bassist Eric Wong around the same time. This lineup debuted in early 1986 and soon became prolific around the Bay Area. Their early style could be described as the aggression of thrash metal combined with NWOBHM
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
-style vocals and arrangements, acoustic like intros or outros, and fast-paced melodic shred solos.
Heathen's break came when they released their Pray For Death demo, which in 1987 resulted in their signing by Combat Records
Combat Records
Combat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
. Shortly after their signing Eric Wong left the band to join Piranha. Former Griffin guitarist Mike "Yaz" Jastremski became the new bassist.
Heathen's debut album Breaking the Silence
Breaking the Silence (album)
Breaking the Silence is the first album by the American thrash metal band Heathen released in 1987 by Combat Records.-Original vinyl release:#"Death by Hanging" – 5:05#"Goblins Blade" – 4:33#"Open the Grave" – 7:22#"Pray for Death" – 3:42...
was released in 1987. The album was well received critically and featured one very successful single, a cover of the 1970s glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
band Sweet
Sweet (band)
Sweet was a British rock band that rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s as one of the most prominent glam rock acts, with the classic line-up of lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bass player Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker.Sweet was formed in 1968 and achieved their first...
's song "Set Me Free". The song got some rock radio airplay and the video received rotation on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Headbanger's Ball. The band embarked on a tour in support of the album.
In 1988 Carl Sacco left due to musical differences. He was replaced by Darren Minter. Mike Jastremski left the band shortly after, and the band went through number of bassists and vocalists between 1988 and 1991. In 1989 David Godfrey left the band due to personal and musical differences. For a few months the late ex-Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
vocalist Paul Baloff
Paul Baloff
Paul Baloff was an American singer, most notable for his time in thrash metal band Exodus.Paul was the second vocalist with Exodus replacing Keith Stewart in 1981 and singing on their 1982 Demo and their first official album Bonded by Blood in 1985. After the release, they started the...
became the band's vocalist. They also briefly toured with late Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
vocalist David Wayne
David Wayne (singer)
David Wayne was an American singer for the heavy metal bands Metal Church, Reverend and Wayne.-Biography:From 1982 to 1988, Wayne appeared as vocalist on two studio albums and two live albums by Metal Church...
. In late 1988, Rick Weaver was recruited from the band (The Dispossessed
The Dispossessed
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia is a 1974 utopian science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, set in the same fictional universe as that of The Left Hand of Darkness . The book won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1974, both the Hugo and Locus Awards in 1975, and received a nomination for...
) that had opened for the Midwest leg of the national tour. He left amicably in 1989 citing creative differences. In 1990, Godfrey (now going by David White) returned to Heathen.
In order to record their album Victims of Deception
Victims of Deception
Victims of Deception is the second album by the US thrash metal band Heathen released in 1991 by Roadrunner Records.It was re-issued by Metal Mind Productions in 2006 as a digipak in a limited amount of 2000 numbered copies....
, Heathen recruited Blind Illusion
Blind Illusion
Blind Illusion is an American progressive thrash metal band from Richmond, California. Formed in 1979 by lead guitarist and main songwriter Marc Biedermann, the band had an extremely unstable lineup and went through several stylistic changes during their time...
mainman Marc Biedermann
Marc Biedermann
Marc Biedermann is an El Sobrante, California based heavy metal guitarist, vocalist, bassist and songwriter. He is best known for as the driving force behind the progressive band Blind Illusion. He has also played on Blue Öyster Cults Imaginos and Heathens Victims of Deception albums...
to play bass in the studio. The album was released in 1991 through Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
. Victims of Deception was considerably more technical, featuring odd time signatures, more complex riffs and songs, tempo and key changes, and longer song lengths, and is often described as progressive thrash metal. It was also critically acclaimed, though it was not quite as commercially successful as Breaking The Silence. The cover of Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
's "Kill the King" and original ballad "Prisoners of Fate" were released as singles and had minor rock radio airplay.
That year Heathen found a permanent bassist in Randy Laire and toured extensively until the untimely death of Laire and his girlfriend in a car accident. The band replaced him with Jason Viebrooks
Jason Viebrooks
Jason Viebrooks is a touring bassist and guitarist. He has toured the world with many groups, and is an endorsee of .-History:Beginning in the Spring of 2011, he went out on tour with Heathen, a band who he had last been with in 1992....
. Doug Piercy departed from the band in 1992 and was replaced by Ira Black
Ira Black
Ira Barrie Black was an American physician and neuroscientist who was an advocate of stem cell research and was the first director of the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School which was created to advance research in the field.-Early life and education:Born in the...
. The band planned to record a covers EP dedicated to Laire and his girlfriend as well as White's deceased brother Jeffery. But the band went on hiatus in 1992.
The return
Heathen reunited in 2001 comprising David White, Lee Altus, Ira Black, Mike Jastremski and Darren Minter, to play the Thrash of the TitansThrash of the Titans
Thrash of the Titans was a benefit concert held on August 11, 2001 at the Maritime Hall in San Francisco, CA. The concert was a co-benefit for Testament vocalist Chuck Billy, who was diagnosed with germ cell seminoma ; and Chuck Schuldiner, leader of the death metal band Death, who was also...
concert to help Chuck Billy
Chuck Billy (vocalist)
Chuck Billy is an American vocalist, who is best known as the vocalist for the thrash metal band Testament.-Testament:Chuck Billy replaced Steve "Zetro" Souza, future Exodus vocalist, in the mid-1980s when the band was still called Legacy. Following his arrival, Testament released their first...
and Chuck Schuldiner
Chuck Schuldiner
Charles Michael "Chuck" Schuldiner was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.Schuldiner was the singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the band Death, which he founded in 1983, initially under the name Mantas. He also recorded as guitarist and songwriter with his other band, Control Denied...
raise funds for Billy's throat cancer treatment and Schuldiner's brain cancer treatment. The concert was a huge success, but in 2004, Mike "Yaz" Jastremski left the band again, and was replaced by Ulysses Siren bassist Jon Torres. A full-length album, Recovered was released on Relentless Metal Records, consisting of re-recorded old material and cover songs. A new demo was released in August 2005, containing three new songs.
Heathen recruited Terry Lauderdale in 2005 to be the second guitarist and toured across Europe. Also in 2005, Lee Altus joined Bay Area thrashers Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
, but remained on Heathen's lineup. In November 2007, the band recruited Prototype
Prototype (band)
Prototype is an American progressive metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1994.-1990s:Prototype was formed in 1994, when vocalist and guitarist Vince Levalois and guitarist Kragen Lum stopped performing as the Los Angeles band Psychosis and decided change the band's name to Prototype...
guitarist Kragen Lum and Mark Hernandez to replace Minter and Piecy. In addition, drummer Darren Minter returned to the band. released The Evolution Of Chaos on King Records in Japan Dec 23, 2009, Mascot Records Jan. 25, 2010 and Mascot Records USA in Feb 2010. This album soon became www.metallian.com's Album Of The Month.
Heathen played at the Rock Hard Festival in Germany 2009 and later supported Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
, and Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
at Thrash Domination in Kawasaki
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
, Japan, where they were anecdotally considered best band by the fans on the Thrash Domination forum. In support of Heathen's first original album since 1991, "Evolution Of Chaos", Heathen toured in April and May 2010 after having to cancel their planned March dates.
Discography
- Breaking the SilenceBreaking the Silence (album)Breaking the Silence is the first album by the American thrash metal band Heathen released in 1987 by Combat Records.-Original vinyl release:#"Death by Hanging" – 5:05#"Goblins Blade" – 4:33#"Open the Grave" – 7:22#"Pray for Death" – 3:42...
(1987) - Victims of DeceptionVictims of DeceptionVictims of Deception is the second album by the US thrash metal band Heathen released in 1991 by Roadrunner Records.It was re-issued by Metal Mind Productions in 2006 as a digipak in a limited amount of 2000 numbered copies....
(1991) - The Evolution of ChaosThe Evolution of ChaosThe Evolution of Chaos is the third studio album by American thrash metal band Heathen. It is their first album in 19 years since 1991's Victims of Deception...
(2010)
Current members
- David WhiteDavid White (heavy metal vocalist)David R White is an American heavy metal lead vocalist who is best known for singing in the thrash metal band Heathen. Having stints in underground thrash bands Blind Illusion and Laughing Dead, he joined Heathen in 1985...
- Lead Vocals (1985-1989/1989-1992/2001–Present) - Lee AltusLee AltusLee Altus is an American heavy metal guitarist. Altus first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his original band, Heathen, where Altus displayed his highly technical neoclassical guitar playing style...
- Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1984-1992/2001–Present) - Kragen Lum - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (2007–Present)
- Jason ViebrooksJason ViebrooksJason Viebrooks is a touring bassist and guitarist. He has toured the world with many groups, and is an endorsee of .-History:Beginning in the Spring of 2011, he went out on tour with Heathen, a band who he had last been with in 1992....
- Bass (2011–Present) - Darren Minter - Drums (1988-1992/2001-2007/2008–Present)
Former members
Vocalists- Sam Kress - Lead Vocals (1984) (Deceased)
- Paul BaloffPaul BaloffPaul Baloff was an American singer, most notable for his time in thrash metal band Exodus.Paul was the second vocalist with Exodus replacing Keith Stewart in 1981 and singing on their 1982 Demo and their first official album Bonded by Blood in 1985. After the release, they started the...
- Lead Vocals (1988) (Deceased) - Rick Weaver - Lead Vocals (1988-1989)
Guitarists
- Jim Sanguinetti - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1984)
- Doug PiercyDoug PiercyDoug Piercy is an American heavy metal guitarist. He played in the cult classic San Francisco heavy metal band Anvil Chorus in the early 80's. Playing in Control briefly, he eventually moved on to his best known project, Heathen in 1985...
- Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1985–1992) - Sven Soderlund - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1992) (touring guitarist)
- Ira BlackIra BlackIra Barrie Black was an American physician and neuroscientist who was an advocate of stem cell research and was the first director of the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School which was created to advance research in the field.-Early life and education:Born in the...
- Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1992/2001-2004) - Terry Lauderdale - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (2005–2007)
Bassists
- Eric Wong - Bass (1985)
- Mike "Yaz" Jastremski - Bass (1986-1988/2001-2002) (Deceased)
- Manny Bravo - Bass (1989)
- Vern McElroy - Bass (1989–1990)
- Marc BiedermannMarc BiedermannMarc Biedermann is an El Sobrante, California based heavy metal guitarist, vocalist, bassist and songwriter. He is best known for as the driving force behind the progressive band Blind Illusion. He has also played on Blue Öyster Cults Imaginos and Heathens Victims of Deception albums...
- Bass (1990–1991) - Randy Laire - Bass (1991–1992) (Deceased)
- Jason ViebrooksJason ViebrooksJason Viebrooks is a touring bassist and guitarist. He has toured the world with many groups, and is an endorsee of .-History:Beginning in the Spring of 2011, he went out on tour with Heathen, a band who he had last been with in 1992....
- Bass (1992) - Jon Torres - Bass (2002–2011)
Drummers
- Carl Sacco - Drums (1984–1988)
- Mark Hernandez - Drums (2007)
External links
- www.myspace.com/heathenmetal http://www.myspace.com/heathenmetal
- [ Allmusic Entry]