Wrathchild America
Encyclopedia
Wrathchild America was an American
thrash metal
band formed in Martinsburg
, West Virginia
in 1978. They are regarded as the first thrash metal
band. They released two studio albums through Atlantic Records, and gained charting success through the Billboard 200. In 1993, they changed their name to Souls at Zero.
area when they were known simply as Wrathchild. After years of touring, playing gigs, and hard work, the band finally was signed to a major label in 1988. However, a British
glam metal
band with the same name, Wrathchild
, sued and forced the delay of the debut release. The band amended their name by adding America, but by the time Wrathchild America had their album out, the entire thrash genre was falling to its eventual demise and they had missed the boat. Their subsequent release was far too late and was widely ignored. The band changed their name to Souls at Zero and revamped their stylistic approach.
Jay Abbene: According to a posting on Tartarean Desire, former TOXIK drummer Tad Leger has launched a brand new project called Lucertola (Italian for "lizard"). The group's musical style is said to be a blend of Leger's biggest influences: doom, old Voivod and Italian horror soundtracks (Goblin, Fabio Frizzi). Tad started out recording both guitar and drums himself, but was joined by his old Blackened Sky bandmate Andy Abbene and his brother Jay Abbene (Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero) in early December 2005.
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 formed in Martinsburg
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Martinsburg is a city in the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia, United States. The city's population was 14,972 at the 2000 census; according to a 2009 Census Bureau estimate, Martinsburg's population was 17,117, making it the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and the eighth largest...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in 1978. They are regarded as the first 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. They released two studio albums through Atlantic Records, and gained charting success through the Billboard 200. In 1993, they changed their name to Souls at Zero.
History
Wrathchild America were a renowned live act in the mid to late 1980s in the MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
area when they were known simply as Wrathchild. After years of touring, playing gigs, and hard work, the band finally was signed to a major label in 1988. However, a British
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...
glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band with the same name, Wrathchild
Wrathchild
Wrathchild were an English heavy metal band. Formed in 1980, the group was an early band of the glam metal genre, starting off before other bands of the genre such as Mötley Crüe...
, sued and forced the delay of the debut release. The band amended their name by adding America, but by the time Wrathchild America had their album out, the entire thrash genre was falling to its eventual demise and they had missed the boat. Their subsequent release was far too late and was widely ignored. The band changed their name to Souls at Zero and revamped their stylistic approach.
Jay Abbene: According to a posting on Tartarean Desire, former TOXIK drummer Tad Leger has launched a brand new project called Lucertola (Italian for "lizard"). The group's musical style is said to be a blend of Leger's biggest influences: doom, old Voivod and Italian horror soundtracks (Goblin, Fabio Frizzi). Tad started out recording both guitar and drums himself, but was joined by his old Blackened Sky bandmate Andy Abbene and his brother Jay Abbene (Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero) in early December 2005.
Former members
- Brad DivensBrad DivensBrad Divens was the bassist and lead vocalist for Souls At Zero, formerly known as Wrathchild America. His vocal style often draws comparisons to James Hetfield...
– bass guitar, lead vocals (1978–1993) - Jay Abbene – guitars, backing vocals(1984–1993)
- Terry Carter – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1993)
- Shannon LarkinShannon LarkinShannon Larkin, born James Shannon Larkin on April 24, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, is a musician best known for being the drummer of the heavy metal band Godsmack. He replaced the previous drummer Tommy Stewart in June 2002...
– drums, backing vocals (1978–1993) - Chris Brinkman – guitars, backing vocals
- Kevin Keller – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Tracy "Mace" Payton – guitars, backing vocals
- Max Heiks – guitars, backing vocals
- Tuck McDonald – lead vocals
- John Turner – guitars, backing vocals
- Mike Combs -lead vocal