Viking Skull
Encyclopedia
Viking Skull is a 5-piece heavy metal band, originating in the UK.
members Gordon Morison, Darren Smith and Frank Regan, along with their Guitar Tech, Roddy Stone, and Merchandiser, Waldie.
The band originated as a spoof support act for Raging Speedhorn around their home town of Corby, UK. The line-up originally included Roddy Stone on Vocals, Gordon Morison on Drums, Frank Regan on Lead Guitar, Darren Smith on Guitar an Waldie on Bass.
In 2003 they released a 6-track EP on Grand Union Recordings called Chapter One. After top-notch press reviews they landed main support for HIM on their 2004 UK tour, and the band performed at the Download Festival in 2004.
In 2005, the band released their first full length album Born In Hell
. Viking Skull was later invited to join Alice Cooper
and Twisted Sister
on a UK arena tour but got cancelled two weeks before the first date due to Viking Skull not being able to provide Twisted Sister with a £3000 a day backline hire. This hit the band hard and the cracks started to appear.
Later that year, Television and Skateboarding Personality, Bam Margera
, asked Viking Skull to include one of their songs on his compilation cd Viva La Bands
. The band agreed and Skull Heaven was included on the cd.
After playing the Download Festival on the Snickers Bowl and sharing the stage in 2006 with such acts as CKY
, Clutch
and HIM - Roddy and Waldie parted ways with Gordon and Darren following an argument after a show in Amsterdam and Viking Skull disbanded on September 25, 2006.
Roddy Stone wrote that day on their Myspace blog-
"...Viking Skull in their present form is no longer, due to fighting within the band. Gordon and Darren are concentrating on Raging Speedhorn, and I'll be on the road with a new band very soon. Thanks for all your support."
Several months later, Roddy got Jules Cooper and Jess Margera
to replace Gordon And Darren. The band traveled to America to begin recording Chapter Two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chapter Two also features guest appearances from Reverend Jim of Fireball Ministry
, Rich Vose of Gnarkill
, Matt Cole, and Chad I Ginsburg
of CKY
.
The album "Chapter Two" was released on the 8th of September 2007 along with a Limited Edition Blackened Sunrise EP
.
On the 11th of December 2007, Viking Skull competed at Metal Hammer presents "Get In The Ring 2", a competition between bands where they play off against each other and there is only 1 Winner. Other bands that competed were Engel, Goat The Head and Evile. Viking Skull was expected to win this event, bringing in the biggest crowd on the night and being the most popular band there, but Viking Skull fell short and lost to Evile.
The band traveled United States to record Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey in July 2008. Joining Them were new guitarists Dom Wallace of British Metal Band Deadeye on lead guitar, and Rich Vose of Gnarkill on Rhythm Guitar. The album was recorded at Dome Sound Studio's under the direction of Rich Gavalis who recorded the Bloodhound Gang
s One Fierce Beer Coaster
, and Hooray for Boobies
. The album was released November 3, 2008.
History
Viking Skull was formed in 2002, by Raging SpeedhornRaging Speedhorn
Raging Speedhorn were a British metal band, founded in Corby, Northamptonshire.-Career:Raging Speedhorn were formed in 1998 from the merging of the bands Soulcellar and Box...
members Gordon Morison, Darren Smith and Frank Regan, along with their Guitar Tech, Roddy Stone, and Merchandiser, Waldie.
The band originated as a spoof support act for Raging Speedhorn around their home town of Corby, UK. The line-up originally included Roddy Stone on Vocals, Gordon Morison on Drums, Frank Regan on Lead Guitar, Darren Smith on Guitar an Waldie on Bass.
In 2003 they released a 6-track EP on Grand Union Recordings called Chapter One. After top-notch press reviews they landed main support for HIM on their 2004 UK tour, and the band performed at the Download Festival in 2004.
In 2005, the band released their first full length album Born In Hell
Born in Hell
Born in Hell is English heavy metal band Viking Skull's first full length album. It was released on October 14, 2005, by Grand Union Recordings.The only commercially released single from the album was "Rock & Roll Suicide".-Track listing:...
. Viking Skull was later invited to join Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
and Twisted Sister
Twisted 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...
on a UK arena tour but got cancelled two weeks before the first date due to Viking Skull not being able to provide Twisted Sister with a £3000 a day backline hire. This hit the band hard and the cracks started to appear.
Later that year, Television and Skateboarding Personality, Bam Margera
Bam Margera
Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
, asked Viking Skull to include one of their songs on his compilation cd Viva La Bands
Viva la Bands
Viva La Bands is a series of CDs compiled by skater/Jackass alumnus Bam Margera, featuring songs from some of his favorite bands. It was released on June 21, 2005...
. The band agreed and Skull Heaven was included on the cd.
After playing the Download Festival on the Snickers Bowl and sharing the stage in 2006 with such acts as CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
, Clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
and HIM - Roddy and Waldie parted ways with Gordon and Darren following an argument after a show in Amsterdam and Viking Skull disbanded on September 25, 2006.
Roddy Stone wrote that day on their Myspace blog-
"...Viking Skull in their present form is no longer, due to fighting within the band. Gordon and Darren are concentrating on Raging Speedhorn, and I'll be on the road with a new band very soon. Thanks for all your support."
Several months later, Roddy got Jules Cooper and Jess Margera
Jess Margera
Jesse Phillip Margera is the drummer in the band CKY, its predecessor Oil and Foreign Objects, Viking Skull, and The Company Band.-Life and career:...
to replace Gordon And Darren. The band traveled to America to begin recording Chapter Two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chapter Two also features guest appearances from Reverend Jim of Fireball Ministry
Fireball Ministry
Fireball Ministry is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1999.- Biography :Conceived in Cincinnati in the late '90s by James A. Rota II and Emily Burton, the band moved to New York City before settling in Los Angeles. In 2000 they performed at the two-day "November...
, Rich Vose of Gnarkill
Gnarkill
Gnarkill is an American parody band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 2002 and comprises vocalist Brandon DiCamillo, guitarist Rich Vose, keyboardist Bam Margera, drummer Jess Margera and mixer Matt Cole. The band has released two albums: Gnarkill and Gnarkill vs...
, Matt Cole, and Chad I Ginsburg
Chad I Ginsburg
Chad I. Ginsburg is an American musician and music producer, best known for playing guitar in the alternative rock band CKY.Ginsburg moved to Bucks County, PA when he was 8...
of CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
.
The album "Chapter Two" was released on the 8th of September 2007 along with a Limited Edition Blackened Sunrise EP
Blackened Sunrise EP
Blackened Sunrise EP is an EP by Viking Skull. The title track is from the band's second album, Chapter Two. The EP is scarce, as there were only 2,500 copies printed. The version of "Blackened Sunrise" on the EP was mixed by guitarist James Murphy...
.
On the 11th of December 2007, Viking Skull competed at Metal Hammer presents "Get In The Ring 2", a competition between bands where they play off against each other and there is only 1 Winner. Other bands that competed were Engel, Goat The Head and Evile. Viking Skull was expected to win this event, bringing in the biggest crowd on the night and being the most popular band there, but Viking Skull fell short and lost to Evile.
The band traveled United States to record Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey in July 2008. Joining Them were new guitarists Dom Wallace of British Metal Band Deadeye on lead guitar, and Rich Vose of Gnarkill on Rhythm Guitar. The album was recorded at Dome Sound Studio's under the direction of Rich Gavalis who recorded the Bloodhound Gang
Bloodhound Gang
Bloodhound Gang is a Collegeville, Pennsylvania-based American comedy band, although it began as a rap group and gradually changed its genre throughout the years...
s One Fierce Beer Coaster
One Fierce Beer Coaster
One Fierce Beer Coaster is the second studio album by American alternative rock band Bloodhound Gang, released on December 3, 1996. Produced by Jimmy Pop, it was the band's first release on Geffen Records, and the first to feature Michael "Spanky G" Guthier on drums, "Evil" Jared Hasselhoff on...
, and Hooray for Boobies
Hooray for Boobies
Hooray for Boobies is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Bloodhound Gang, released on October 4, 1999 in Europe and February 29, 2000 in the US. Produced by Jimmy Pop and Richard Gavalis, it was the band's second release on Geffen Records following the gold-selling One Fierce...
. The album was released November 3, 2008.
Discography
| Title | Label | Date of Release |
| Chapter One | Grand Union Recordings | October 20, 2003 |
| Born In Hell Born in Hell Born in Hell is English heavy metal band Viking Skull's first full length album. It was released on October 14, 2005, by Grand Union Recordings.The only commercially released single from the album was "Rock & Roll Suicide".-Track listing:... |
Grand Union Recordings | October 14, 2005 |
| Chapter Two | Filthy Note Filthy Note Filthy Note Records is a record label that concentrates on rock and metal bands. Filthy Note was founded by Bam Margera in 2006.-History:The label was launched in United States in 2006... |
September 8, 2007 |
| Blackened Sunrise EP Blackened Sunrise EP Blackened Sunrise EP is an EP by Viking Skull. The title track is from the band's second album, Chapter Two. The EP is scarce, as there were only 2,500 copies printed. The version of "Blackened Sunrise" on the EP was mixed by guitarist James Murphy... |
Filthy Note Filthy Note Filthy Note Records is a record label that concentrates on rock and metal bands. Filthy Note was founded by Bam Margera in 2006.-History:The label was launched in United States in 2006... |
September 8, 2007 |
| Doom, Gloom, Heartache, and Whiskey Doom, Gloom, Heartache, and Whiskey Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey is English heavy metal band Viking Skull's third studio album. It is the first album to feature the band's two new guitarists, Dom Wallace and Gnarkill guitarist, Rich Vose.... |
Powerage Records | November 3, 2008 |
| Heavy Metal Thunder | Restricted Release | October 26, 2010 |