Ryan McCombs
Encyclopedia
Ryan McCombs is a heavy metal
vocalist. From 1997 to 2004 he was the vocalist of the hard rock
band Soil. Since 2005, however, McCombs has served as the vocalist for Drowning Pool
.
during his time in the group: El Chupacabra (EP)
and Throttle Junkies
, Scars, and Redefine. With heavy anthems like "Halo" and "Unreal," the band gained commercial recognition and international status with their second album, Scars, in 2001. Their 2004 follow-up would continue Soil's significant exposure; however, they were dropped from J Records
due to disappointing sales. While touring for their latest album, McCombs suddenly decided to leave the band, which caused the cancellation of many scheduled performances alongside acts like Sevendust
and Damageplan
.
Many consider Mr. McCombs performance on the title song of the same CD "Redefine" as his best vocal work up to the time of Redefines release.
Understandable, the song rang true in the hearts of those searching for music that displayed a hard rock vocal style with a positive message.
's second singer, Jason Jones
, left to join alternative
band A.M. Conspiracy. Rumors spread regarding the new singer of Drowning Pool's identity. The band announced that the new vocalist's identity would be released at Ozzfest
in Dallas, Texas on August 25, 2005.
The first Drowning Pool song released with Ryan McCombs as the singer was, "Rise Up 2006," featured as a bonus downloadable track on WWE Wreckless Intent
, and was the theme for WWE Friday Night SmackDown until 2008. The Saw III
soundtrack contains a demo version of "No More," the second track with him on vocals. With McCombs, Drowning Pool recorded their third studio album, Full Circle
, released on August 7, 2007. This features the single "37 Stitches" which went on to chart higher than any previous Drowning Pool song including their 2001 debut hit "Bodies
." It was announced in November 2011 that McCombs and Drowning Pool would be parting ways.
Ryan attended Jay County High School in Portland, Indiana.
He is originally from and grew up in Dunkirk, Indiana. As well he is close personal friends with Ray Polen, his former Stage Manager and life coach.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
vocalist. From 1997 to 2004 he was the vocalist of the hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Soil. Since 2005, however, McCombs has served as the vocalist for Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool is a four-piece alternative metal band from Dallas, Texas.-Early days :Drowning Pool rose to fame while playing along with Ozzy Osbourne during an Ozzfest tour. Their 2001 debut album, Sinner was certified platinum within six weeks...
.
1997-2004: Soil
Ryan McCombs was discovered by SOiL through a compilation CD of unsigned bands. He joined the rock band Soil as lead vocalist in 1997. The band releasing three albums and one EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
during his time in the group: El Chupacabra (EP)
El Chupacabra (album)
El Chupacabra is an EP by the heavy metal band Soil. The name of the EP refers to a mythical Puerto Rican beast, and literally means "goat-sucker" in Spanish...
and Throttle Junkies
Throttle Junkies
Throttle Junkies is the debut album by the Chicago-based music group Soil. The album was released on May 18, 1999 via the now defunct MIA Records. It featured tracks previously released on the band's EPs Soil and El Chupacabra. Not long after the album's release, MIA folded...
, Scars, and Redefine. With heavy anthems like "Halo" and "Unreal," the band gained commercial recognition and international status with their second album, Scars, in 2001. Their 2004 follow-up would continue Soil's significant exposure; however, they were dropped from J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
due to disappointing sales. While touring for their latest album, McCombs suddenly decided to leave the band, which caused the cancellation of many scheduled performances alongside acts like Sevendust
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
and Damageplan
Damageplan
Damageplan was an American heavy metal supergroup from Dallas, Texas that formed in 2003. Following the demise of their previous group Pantera, brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott wanted to start a new band. The pair recruited former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals, and later...
.
Many consider Mr. McCombs performance on the title song of the same CD "Redefine" as his best vocal work up to the time of Redefines release.
Understandable, the song rang true in the hearts of those searching for music that displayed a hard rock vocal style with a positive message.
2005-2011: Drowning Pool
McCombs hiatus from music lasted one year. His family, most notably his wife, convinced McCombs to continue singing; however, by the time he returned to music, Soil had already found a new lead singer. McCombs's wife told him that if he was to be with a band to make sure it was with good people that he could trust. Around this time, Drowning PoolDrowning Pool
Drowning Pool is a four-piece alternative metal band from Dallas, Texas.-Early days :Drowning Pool rose to fame while playing along with Ozzy Osbourne during an Ozzfest tour. Their 2001 debut album, Sinner was certified platinum within six weeks...
's second singer, Jason Jones
Jason Jones (singer)
Jason "Gong" Jones is a Singer-songwriter born in Columbia, South Carolina. Originally a tattoo artist, he was the frontman and vocalist of heavy metal band Drowning Pool from 2002 to 2005, providing vocals for the band's 2004 album Desensitized after Dave Williams's death...
, left to join alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band A.M. Conspiracy. Rumors spread regarding the new singer of Drowning Pool's identity. The band announced that the new vocalist's identity would be released at Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
in Dallas, Texas on August 25, 2005.
The first Drowning Pool song released with Ryan McCombs as the singer was, "Rise Up 2006," featured as a bonus downloadable track on WWE Wreckless Intent
WWE Wreckless Intent
The album was originally slated for a January release, but due to heavy time constraints, the release date was pushed back to May. The first few hundred people who pre-ordered the album on sonymusicstore.com got a free booklet autographed, as well as a WWE ball keychain...
, and was the theme for WWE Friday Night SmackDown until 2008. The Saw III
Saw III
Saw III is a 2006 Canadian-American horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman from a screenplay by Leigh Whannell and story by James Wan and Whannell. Wan and Whannell directed and wrote Saw and Bousman wrote and directed Saw II. It is the third film in the seven-part Saw film series and stars...
soundtrack contains a demo version of "No More," the second track with him on vocals. With McCombs, Drowning Pool recorded their third studio album, Full Circle
Full Circle (Drowning Pool album)
-Personnel:Drowning Pool* Ryan McCombs - Vocals* Stevie Benton - Bass* C. J. Pierce - Guitar* Mike Luce - Drums-Chart positions:-Singles charts:Production* Produced by Ben Schigel, Except "Reason I'm Alive" Produced by Nikki Sixx and DJ Ashba...
, released on August 7, 2007. This features the single "37 Stitches" which went on to chart higher than any previous Drowning Pool song including their 2001 debut hit "Bodies
Bodies (Drowning Pool song)
"Bodies" is a song by American alternative metal band Drowning Pool and the lead single from their debut album Sinner. Released in May 2001, the song is Drowning Pool's most popular single and has been featured in various films, TV programs, and advertising since its release.The song remained...
." It was announced in November 2011 that McCombs and Drowning Pool would be parting ways.
Personal life
Currently, Ryan McCombs is divorced, and involved in a relationship. He has two sons. He resides between Louisiana and Indiana when not touring. Ryan is also an avid Purdue Boilermakers fan, a Cleveland Browns fan, and likes Black Label Society.Ryan attended Jay County High School in Portland, Indiana.
He is originally from and grew up in Dunkirk, Indiana. As well he is close personal friends with Ray Polen, his former Stage Manager and life coach.