Toxik
Encyclopedia
Toxik is an American
thrash metal
band from Peekskill, New York
. The band plays a style of thrash metal with elements of progressive metal
, which would later be named "progressive thrash metal". Initially active from 1985 to 1992, the band reformed in 2007.
and left Toxik to be replaced by Tad Leger. These new changes would become the band's new line-up.
(previously titled "Roadracer Productions" at the time of signing), debuting their first full-length album, World Circus
. The release of the album saw one of the first introductions to the, "Progressive thrash metal" genre, charting on College Music Journal
's "Best New Metal Album of the Year" for 1987 and were offered a number nine slot on the Metal Blade Records
"Metal Massacre" series with the song, "Wasteland". After touring, World Circus, vocalist Mike Sanders left Toxik for unknown reasons, to be replaced by Charles Sabin.
entitled, Think This
. After the album's release, Toxik hired guitarist John Donnelly to perform with them while touring. The success that resulted from Think This led Toxik to tour the album throughout the United States and Europe with Roadrunner Records
and partnering band, King Diamond
. After years of touring, Toxik disbanded in 1992.
rereleased Toxik's World Circus (1988) and Think This (1989) along with releases of previous releases from Gorguts
, Sadus
and Disincarnate. The World Circus rerelease included twelve bonus track
s and the Think This rerelease included five bonus tracks.
In January 2007, Metal Mind Productions
rereleased limited edition versions of Toxik's World Circus (1988) and Think This
(1989). The rereleases are digitally remastered, featuring digipak
editions of the albums.
During February 2007, Toxik announced their reformation as a band. The announcement consisted of the largely original line-up of Mike Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Brian Bonini (bass) and former Dominion (Bill Rogers-vocals, Joe Cseko-electric guitar, Joe Casatelli- bass) drummer, Lou Caldarola (drums). Tad Leger, one of the band's original drummers, is also in a band called Lucertola, as a guitarist. During August 2007, the band's bassist, Brian Bonini, left the new Toxik line-up, leaving Toxik with only three members. Toxik is currently in search of a new bassist to replace Brian Bonini.
Toxik announced a Europe
an tour in November, 2007. The two-week tour was to have included performances at the Keep It True
festival and the Ragers Elite festival in Germany
. The band was scheduled to perform at the Keep It True Festival on November 3, 2007, when the band canceled the tour due to reasons disclosed by the event organizer, "The reason is that their Polish management booked a three week tour around the festival with eight day-offs in a row, which was [not] financially feasible for the band. Also, bassist Brian Bonini quit the band some weeks ago and they [Toxik] couldn't find a replacement for him until now." Since the November tour cancellation, the band has not made any public appearances. According to the Toxik MySpace page, the band is in the process of writing new material and will not tour until a new bassist is hired.
During December 2007, Displeased Records
released Toxik's first live album
set, entitled Dynamo Open Air 1988, which includes two live performances from 1988 and a limited CD and DVD package.
In July 2010, Toxik self-released Think Again on DVD. Containing a live set from 1989, a 2010 interview with Tad Leger, Josh Christian and Mike Sanders and a photo/poster gallery.
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 from Peekskill, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The band plays a style of thrash metal with elements of progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
, which would later be named "progressive thrash metal". Initially active from 1985 to 1992, the band reformed in 2007.
Initial formation (1985–1987)
Toxik was formed in 1985 by Joshua Christian and Lee Erwin under the name "Toyko". The band was forced to change its name due to the threat of legal action from a band who had already registered the name. The band's original four-piece lineup which, because it occurred before the name change, was known as the Tokyo line up, consisted of Michael Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Lee Erwin (bass) and Sal Dadabo (drums). However, the line up did not remain stable, plaguing the band with line-up changes into the following year. During the same year, the band's original bassist, Lee Erwin, left Toxik citing personal reasons, to be replaced by Brian Bonini. Additionally, Sal Dadabo, the band's original drummer, was offered a touring contract with Twisted SisterTwisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
and left Toxik to be replaced by Tad Leger. These new changes would become the band's new line-up.
World Circus (1987)
In 1987, Toxik signed onto Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner 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:...
(previously titled "Roadracer Productions" at the time of signing), debuting their first full-length album, World Circus
World Circus
World Circus is the debut studio album of thrash metal band, Toxik, released in 1987 through Roadrunner Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007.-Track listing:#"Heart Attack" - 3:50...
. The release of the album saw one of the first introductions to the, "Progressive thrash metal" genre, charting on College Music Journal
College Music Journal
College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...
's "Best New Metal Album of the Year" for 1987 and were offered a number nine slot on the 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...
"Metal Massacre" series with the song, "Wasteland". After touring, World Circus, vocalist Mike Sanders left Toxik for unknown reasons, to be replaced by Charles Sabin.
Think This and disbandment (1989–1992)
Following the received attention for the release of their debut album, Toxik released their second full-length album the following year with Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner 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:...
entitled, Think This
Think This
Think This is the second studio album by the thrash metal band, Toxik, released in 1989 by Roadracer Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007...
. After the album's release, Toxik hired guitarist John Donnelly to perform with them while touring. The success that resulted from Think This led Toxik to tour the album throughout the United States and Europe with 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:...
and partnering band, King Diamond
King Diamond (band)
King Diamond is the heavy metal band that King Diamond formed after the split up of his heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, and the departure of Hank Shermann. He was joined by most members of the then defunct Mercyful Fate. The Satanic focus was replaced by a focus on horror stories...
. After years of touring, Toxik disbanded in 1992.
Reunion (2007–present)
During the autumn of 2006, Displeased RecordsDispleased Records
Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...
rereleased Toxik's World Circus (1988) and Think This (1989) along with releases of previous releases from Gorguts
Gorguts
Gorguts is a technical death metal band from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The band's only constant member is Luc Lemay.-History:Gorguts were formed in 1989 by Luc Lemay , Sylvain Marcoux , Éric Giguère and Stephane Provencher...
, Sadus
Sadus
Sadus is an American thrash metal trio from Antioch, California.-History:Sadus was formed in 1984 in Antioch, California. While their very first efforts were influenced by early thrash metal bands, such as Slayer or Death, the band would later develop its own musical style by adding complicated...
and Disincarnate. The World Circus rerelease included twelve bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
s and the Think This rerelease included five bonus tracks.
In January 2007, Metal Mind Productions
Metal Mind Productions
Metal Mind Productions is a Polish record label founded in 1987. Currently it is one of the lead independent labels in Poland with over 1000 of licences and over 10 million of data mediums sold. The label focuses mainly on rock and heavy metal genres...
rereleased limited edition versions of Toxik's World Circus (1988) and Think This
Think This
Think This is the second studio album by the thrash metal band, Toxik, released in 1989 by Roadracer Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007...
(1989). The rereleases are digitally remastered, featuring digipak
Digipak
Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company.-Features:...
editions of the albums.
During February 2007, Toxik announced their reformation as a band. The announcement consisted of the largely original line-up of Mike Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Brian Bonini (bass) and former Dominion (Bill Rogers-vocals, Joe Cseko-electric guitar, Joe Casatelli- bass) drummer, Lou Caldarola (drums). Tad Leger, one of the band's original drummers, is also in a band called Lucertola, as a guitarist. During August 2007, the band's bassist, Brian Bonini, left the new Toxik line-up, leaving Toxik with only three members. Toxik is currently in search of a new bassist to replace Brian Bonini.
Toxik announced a Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an tour in November, 2007. The two-week tour was to have included performances at the Keep It True
Keep It True
Keep It True is a heavy metal festival held annually in Germany since 2003.-I:"The Traditional Heavy Metal Festival": July 19, 2003 Lauda-Königshofen, Tauberfrankenhalle*Omen*Brocas Helm*Majesty*Doomsword*Solitaire*Killers*Killer*Malediction*Gunfire...
festival and the Ragers Elite festival in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The band was scheduled to perform at the Keep It True Festival on November 3, 2007, when the band canceled the tour due to reasons disclosed by the event organizer, "The reason is that their Polish management booked a three week tour around the festival with eight day-offs in a row, which was [not] financially feasible for the band. Also, bassist Brian Bonini quit the band some weeks ago and they [Toxik] couldn't find a replacement for him until now." Since the November tour cancellation, the band has not made any public appearances. According to the Toxik MySpace page, the band is in the process of writing new material and will not tour until a new bassist is hired.
During December 2007, Displeased Records
Displeased Records
Displeased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...
released Toxik's first live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
set, entitled Dynamo Open Air 1988, which includes two live performances from 1988 and a limited CD and DVD package.
In July 2010, Toxik self-released Think Again on DVD. Containing a live set from 1989, a 2010 interview with Tad Leger, Josh Christian and Mike Sanders and a photo/poster gallery.
Band members
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| Voice | Guitar |
| Drum | Bass |
Studio albums
- World CircusWorld CircusWorld Circus is the debut studio album of thrash metal band, Toxik, released in 1987 through Roadrunner Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007.-Track listing:#"Heart Attack" - 3:50...
(1987, RoadrunnerRoadrunner RecordsRoadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
) - Think ThisThink ThisThink This is the second studio album by the thrash metal band, Toxik, released in 1989 by Roadracer Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007...
(1989, Roadrunner)
Live albums
- Dynamo Open Air 1988 (2007, DVD, DispleasedDispleased RecordsDispleased Records is a Dutch independent record label, founded by Lars Eikema and Ron Veltkamp. The label has many Dutch and other extreme metal bands on its roster, but has also rereleased many classic albums, including albums by Agathocles , Cryptopsy, Infernäl Mäjesty, Sadus, Toxik and Whiplash...
) - Think Again (2010, DVD, self-released)
External links
- Official website
- Toxik at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Toxik at Allmusic
- Toxik Think Again DVD