Viking (band)
Encyclopedia
Viking is an American thrash metal
band, from Los Angeles
, California
, formed in the late 1980s.
after their second live appearance and went on to record two full-length albums and open up for bands like Megadeth
, Forbidden
, and Sacred Reich
as well as headlining many other shows.
In 1988, they released their debut album called Do or Die. Although the brutality of the songs was appreciated by thrash metal fans, the frenetic tempos and bad production were not well received by the critics.
Following Do or Die, they moved to a new level of songwriting and musicianship. Adding half-time mosh bridges and more technical riffs, the songs for Man of Straw demonstrated a marked improvement over the previous offering.
Shortly before they started to record Man of Straw, Ron Eriksen became a born-again Christian and changed some of the lyrics to avoid blasphemies. Before embarking on a tour with Texas
-based Helstar
in 1990, Ron felt that his new faith could not endure the tour, and he left the band, which immediately broke up upon his departure.
Ron and drummer Matt Jordan soon after moved to Oregon, Brett Eriksen
joined Dark Angel
full-time (he'd filled in on the Leave Scars
tour) and bassist James Lareau pursued a career in sculpture.
Before Viking, Ron (whose stage name Ronny Devious had been carried over from his days with The Hags), Matt, and James were in Tracer and released a 3-song demo entitled Sudden Death with vocalist Tony Spider (Tony Vargas from L.S.N / Vermin). Following a temporary split, Brett began jamming with the band, and Ron began singing.
After the release of Man of Straw, Matt Jordan also converted to Christianity
. (Interestingly, Ron Daniel has said that Matt's conversion had nothing to do with his own.) Some years after the band broke up, Ron became a Bible teacher.
In early 2011, Ron Daniel and Matt Jordan resurrected the band after a 20-year hiatus. With Brett Eriksen
out of the music business, they brought in Viking's former stage manager Glenn Rogers, who was a founding member of Deliverance and had been playing lead guitar for thrash metal band Hirax
since 2003.
According to the band's Facebook page, they are currently working on a new full-length record of original songs. Called "No Child Left Behind," it is expected to be released by the end of the year.
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 Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, formed in the late 1980s.
History
Viking was formed in Los Angeles in the spring of 1986 and held the same personnel until they broke up in 1990. The band signed a record contract with Metal Blade RecordsMetal 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...
after their second live appearance and went on to record two full-length albums and open up for bands like 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...
, Forbidden
Forbidden (band)
Forbidden is a thrash metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil, the group was founded by Russ Anderson and Craig Locicero, who are both permanent members. Since their formation, Forbidden have broken up and reformed twice with numerous line-up changes...
, and Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona-based thrash metal band that formed in 1985. Singer/songwriter Phil Rind's interest was in socially conscious and political speed metal. After several records on Metal Blade Records, they signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal...
as well as headlining many other shows.
In 1988, they released their debut album called Do or Die. Although the brutality of the songs was appreciated by thrash metal fans, the frenetic tempos and bad production were not well received by the critics.
Following Do or Die, they moved to a new level of songwriting and musicianship. Adding half-time mosh bridges and more technical riffs, the songs for Man of Straw demonstrated a marked improvement over the previous offering.
Shortly before they started to record Man of Straw, Ron Eriksen became a born-again Christian and changed some of the lyrics to avoid blasphemies. Before embarking on a tour with Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-based Helstar
Helstar
Helstar is a heavy metal band from Houston, Texas, formed in 1982.-History:Helstar began with a basic metal style in 1983 with 2 demos, followed by their first studio album in 1984 titled Burning Star for Combat Records, making them label mates with Megadeth and Exodus. Struggles within the band...
in 1990, Ron felt that his new faith could not endure the tour, and he left the band, which immediately broke up upon his departure.
Ron and drummer Matt Jordan soon after moved to Oregon, Brett Eriksen
Brett Eriksen
Brett Eriksen was a guitarist who played for two Los Angeles thrash metal bands in the 80's, Viking and Dark Angel .-Viking era:...
joined Dark Angel
Dark Angel (band)
Dark Angel was an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Their over-the-top style earned them the nickname "the L.A...
full-time (he'd filled in on the Leave Scars
Leave Scars
Leave Scars is the third studio album released by the American thrash metal band, Dark Angel.-Track listing:-Credits:*Ron Rinehart - Vocals*Eric Meyer - Rhythm and lead guitar, Backing vocals...
tour) and bassist James Lareau pursued a career in sculpture.
Before Viking, Ron (whose stage name Ronny Devious had been carried over from his days with The Hags), Matt, and James were in Tracer and released a 3-song demo entitled Sudden Death with vocalist Tony Spider (Tony Vargas from L.S.N / Vermin). Following a temporary split, Brett began jamming with the band, and Ron began singing.
After the release of Man of Straw, Matt Jordan also converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. (Interestingly, Ron Daniel has said that Matt's conversion had nothing to do with his own.) Some years after the band broke up, Ron became a Bible teacher.
In early 2011, Ron Daniel and Matt Jordan resurrected the band after a 20-year hiatus. With Brett Eriksen
Brett Eriksen
Brett Eriksen was a guitarist who played for two Los Angeles thrash metal bands in the 80's, Viking and Dark Angel .-Viking era:...
out of the music business, they brought in Viking's former stage manager Glenn Rogers, who was a founding member of Deliverance and had been playing lead guitar for thrash metal band Hirax
Hirax
Hirax is an American thrash metal band from Cypress, California. Starting in 1984 under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena , the band played in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the other new thrash metal bands of the area such as Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer...
since 2003.
According to the band's Facebook page, they are currently working on a new full-length record of original songs. Called "No Child Left Behind," it is expected to be released by the end of the year.
Band Members
- Matt Jordan – drums (1986–1990, 2011-)
- James Lareau – bass guitar (1986–1990)
- Brett EriksenBrett EriksenBrett Eriksen was a guitarist who played for two Los Angeles thrash metal bands in the 80's, Viking and Dark Angel .-Viking era:...
/ Brett Sarachek – guitar (1986–1990) - Ron Eriksen / Ron Daniel – guitar, vocals (1986–1990, 2011-)
- Glenn Rogers - guitar (2011-)
- Tyler Von Moll - bass (2011-)
Discography
- Metal Massacre VIII (Compilation, Metal BladeMetal Blade RecordsMetal 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...
, 1986) - Do or Die (Full-length, Metal Blade, 1987)
- The Best of Metal Blade, Volume 3 (Compilation, Metal Blade, 1988)
- Man of Straw (Full-length, Metal Blade, 1989)
- Metallic Overdrive (Compilation, Metal Blade, 1990)
- Man of Straw (Full-length reissue, Lost and Found, 2006)