Onslaught (band)
Encyclopedia
Onslaught are an English
thrash metal
band from Bristol, England. Initially active from 1983 to 1991, they reformed in 2004. The band initially drew influence from the second wave punk rock
bands such as Discharge
and The Exploited
, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal sound.
Jase Pope and Paul Hill were soon to be replaced by Roge Davies and Paul Davis respectively. The subsequent line-up recorded an EP, What Lies Ahead, in 1983.
-oriented songs than their original punk sound. This was mainly influenced by the early releases of thrash metal
bands, albeit with a darker sound. The band signed to Children of the Revolution Records, and the band released their debut album, Power From Hell
, in 1985 as a result. As with other metal bands of the time, the lyrics were often Satanic
, and the now iconic cover showed a demon
emerging from a pentagram
.
, the label signed the band. In mid 1988, the band began to start recording In Search of Sanity
, their third album. Upon hearing the album, the record label felt that a more versatile vocalist was needed to do the music more justice. Although the band felt that Sy Keeler's vocals on the demo recording had the right sound, the production had a more polished sound- hence the need for a more polished vocalist. Steve Grimmett
, formerly of N.W.O.B.H.M. act Grim Reaper
, was drafted in to replace the departing Sy Keeler. Owing to this development, the release of the album was delayed until the summer of 1989. Following the success of The Force, and with an accomplished new singer, there was much pre-release publicity. In Search of Sanity had a much different sound than previous Onslaught releases, and many hardcore thrash metal fans were disappointed, and this partially contributed to the band's demise.
guitarist Alan Jordan. Writing for the band's fourth album, Killing Peace
, began in 2005, and was released in early 2007.
James Hinder left the band later in 2007 and Alan Jordan left in 2008. They were replaced by Jeff Williams
and Andy Rosser-Davies respectively.
In November 2008 the band recorded their live performance at the Damnation Festival in Leeds resulting in a Dual disc live album "Live Damnation" released in August 2009 by Candlelight records.
In June 2010 the band signed to the German metal label AFM records to release their 5th studio album, Sounds Of Violence, released January 28, 2011.
On 25 March 2011 Steve Grice issues a statement standing down from the band. Michael Hourihan (ex-Extreme Noise Terror / Desecration) to sit behind the drums for the forth coming tour.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
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 Bristol, England. Initially active from 1983 to 1991, they reformed in 2004. The band initially drew influence from the second wave punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
bands such as Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
and The Exploited
The Exploited
The Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal sound.
Origins
Onslaught were formed in 1982/83 in Bristol, England by guitarist Nige Rockett. vocalist Jase Pope and Bassist Paul Hill and soon after to be joined by drummer Steve Grice. a demo was recorded and released later that year by this line up.Jase Pope and Paul Hill were soon to be replaced by Roge Davies and Paul Davis respectively. The subsequent line-up recorded an EP, What Lies Ahead, in 1983.
Power from Hell
In 1984, Paul Mahoney and Jase Stallard replaced Roge Davies and Paul Davis respectively. The band started to write more heavy metalHeavy 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...
-oriented songs than their original punk sound. This was mainly influenced by the early releases of 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...
bands, albeit with a darker sound. The band signed to Children of the Revolution Records, and the band released their debut album, Power From Hell
Power from Hell
Power from Hell is the debut studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 1985. The album was reissued in 1996 by Powerage Records, and again in 2005 by Blackend Records.-Track listing:...
, in 1985 as a result. As with other metal bands of the time, the lyrics were often Satanic
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
, and the now iconic cover showed a demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
emerging from a pentagram
Pentagram
A pentagram is the shape of a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes...
.
The Force
In late 1985, Sy Keeler joined the band, who assumed the duty of members of Paul Mahoney. Mahoney retained his place in the band, but He took over bass duties from Jase Stallard, who in turn assumed the role of rhythm guitarist, giving the band a second guitarist. During the first months of 1986, the new line is ready to record their second album, The Force, in a recording studio in London. The album was released in the spring of that year through the label Under One Flag. The album was much more successful than Power From Hell, and is considered a classic by many critics and fanzines. Paul Mahoney, citing personal reasons, left the band later in 1986 and was replaced by James Hinder.In Search of Sanity
Onslaught's policy of the sacking of band members changed in 1987. Jase Stallard's guitar playing came into question, so the band dismissed him and replaced him with Rob Trotman. Using this line up, they set out to write material for a third studio album. Having drawn the attention of London RecordsLondon Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
, the label signed the band. In mid 1988, the band began to start recording In Search of Sanity
In Search of Sanity
In Search of Sanity is the third studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 1989. With several changes in the band's line up, including the addition of Grim Reaper vocalist Steve Grimmett, the album contains a more polished sound than previous Onslaught albums, meeting mixed...
, their third album. Upon hearing the album, the record label felt that a more versatile vocalist was needed to do the music more justice. Although the band felt that Sy Keeler's vocals on the demo recording had the right sound, the production had a more polished sound- hence the need for a more polished vocalist. Steve Grimmett
Steve Grimmett
Steve Grimmett is a heavy metal vocalist who began his career in the era of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. His original band was the short-lived Medusa, before he became known as the lead vocalist for Grim Reaper...
, formerly of N.W.O.B.H.M. act Grim Reaper
Grim Reaper (band)
Grim Reaper are a British heavy metal band from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era. The band was formed in 1979 in Droitwich, England, by guitarist Nick Bowcott.-Early years :...
, was drafted in to replace the departing Sy Keeler. Owing to this development, the release of the album was delayed until the summer of 1989. Following the success of The Force, and with an accomplished new singer, there was much pre-release publicity. In Search of Sanity had a much different sound than previous Onslaught releases, and many hardcore thrash metal fans were disappointed, and this partially contributed to the band's demise.
Break-up
In early 1990, Steve Grimmett decided to leave the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Tony O'Hora. The band then set out to write and then record a fourth album. London Records decided not to renew their contract with Onslaught, leaving the band without a record deal. Although the band tried to secure a deal, nothing came to light and they decided to disband in early 1991.Reunion
In 2004, the band reformed with the line up of Sy Keeler, Nige Rockett, James Hinder and Steve Grice. They were joined by a WelshWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
guitarist Alan Jordan. Writing for the band's fourth album, Killing Peace
Killing Peace
Killing Peace is the fourth studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 2007. It is their first album since their reunion in 2005 and their fourth album, after In Search of Sanity, released 18 years earlier.-Track listing:...
, began in 2005, and was released in early 2007.
James Hinder left the band later in 2007 and Alan Jordan left in 2008. They were replaced by Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams
Jeffrey Francis Williams is an Australian-born, left-handed pitcher who was best known for playing for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. He is a specialist set-up pitcher, or closer.-Olympics:...
and Andy Rosser-Davies respectively.
In November 2008 the band recorded their live performance at the Damnation Festival in Leeds resulting in a Dual disc live album "Live Damnation" released in August 2009 by Candlelight records.
In June 2010 the band signed to the German metal label AFM records to release their 5th studio album, Sounds Of Violence, released January 28, 2011.
On 25 March 2011 Steve Grice issues a statement standing down from the band. Michael Hourihan (ex-Extreme Noise Terror / Desecration) to sit behind the drums for the forth coming tour.
Current members
- Sy Keeler - vocals (1985–1988, 2005–present)
- Andy Rosser-Davies - guitar (2008–present)
- Jeff Williams - bass guitar|bass (2006–present)
- Nige Rockett - guitar (1983–1991, 2005–present)
- Mike Hourihan - Drums (2011 - present)
Former members
- Jase Pope - vocals (1983)
- Paul Hill - bass (1983)
- Roge Davies - vocals (1983–1984)
- Paul Davis - bass (1983–1984)
- Paul Mahoney - vocals (1984–1985), bass (1985–1986)
- Jase Stallard - bass (1984–1985), guitar (1985–1987)
- James Hinder - bass (1986–1991, 2005–2006)
- Rob Trotman - guitar (1987–1991)
- Steve GrimmettSteve GrimmettSteve Grimmett is a heavy metal vocalist who began his career in the era of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. His original band was the short-lived Medusa, before he became known as the lead vocalist for Grim Reaper...
- vocals (1988–1990) - Tony O'Hora - vocals (1990–1991)
- Alan Jordan - guitar (2005–2008)
- Steve Grice - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1983–1991, 2005–2011) - Richie Kittle - drums
Studio albums
- Power From HellPower from HellPower from Hell is the debut studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 1985. The album was reissued in 1996 by Powerage Records, and again in 2005 by Blackend Records.-Track listing:...
(1985) - The ForceThe Force (Onslaught album)The Force is the second studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 1986. More successful than their previous album, Power From Hell, The Force was considered an instant classic by fans and critics...
(1986) - In Search of SanityIn Search of SanityIn Search of Sanity is the third studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 1989. With several changes in the band's line up, including the addition of Grim Reaper vocalist Steve Grimmett, the album contains a more polished sound than previous Onslaught albums, meeting mixed...
(1989) - Killing PeaceKilling PeaceKilling Peace is the fourth studio album by English thrash metal band Onslaught, released in 2007. It is their first album since their reunion in 2005 and their fourth album, after In Search of Sanity, released 18 years earlier.-Track listing:...
(2007) - Sounds Of ViolenceSounds Of Violence- Personnel :*Sy Keeler - vocals*Andy Rosser-Davies - guitar*Jeff Williams - bass*Nige Rockett - guitar...
(2011)
Singles
- "Let There Be RockLet There Be Rock (song)"Let There Be Rock" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the third and title track of their album Let There Be Rock, released in March 1977, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott....
" (1987) (AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
cover) originally released on Music For Nations. - "Let There Be RockLet There Be Rock (song)"Let There Be Rock" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the third and title track of their album Let There Be Rock, released in March 1977, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott....
" (1989) (AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
cover) re-recorded and released on London records. - "Welcome to Dying" (1989) London records.
- "Shellshock" (1989) London records
- "BomberBomber (song)"Bomber" is a song by the English heavy metal band Motörhead, recorded and released in 1979 . It is the title track to their album Bomber and was released as a single peaking at 34 on the UK singles chart....
(Motorhead cover)/ The Sound Of Violence" (17th Dec 2010) Bomber features Phil Campbell from Motorhead on guitar and Tom Angelripper from German thrashers Sodom on vocals. The Sound Of Violence is taken from the AFM album Sounds Of Violence.