Onslaught (band)

Onslaught

Onslaught at Rockharz festival 2016 in Germany
Background information
Origin Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Genres Thrash metal
Years active
  • 1982–1991
  • 2005–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website Official site
Members Sy Keeler
Nige Rockett
Leigh Chambers
Iain GT Davies
Jeff Williams
Mike Hourihan
Past members Jase Pope
Roge Davies
Paul Mahoney
Neil Turbin
Steve Grimmett
Tony O'Hora
Paul Hill
Paul Davis
Jase Stallard
James Hinder
Rob Trotman
Alan Jordan
Andy Rosser-Davies
Steven Grice

Onslaught are an English thrash metal band from Bristol, England. Initially active from 1982 to 1991, they reformed in 2005. The band initially drew influence from second wave hardcore punk bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straightforward thrash metal sound. To date, Onslaught have released six studio albums, one compilation, four singles and two live recordings: a live album and a live DVD.

Singer Sy Keeler at the Rockharz festival 2016 in Germany

History

Origins (1982–1983)

Onslaught were formed in 1982 in Bristol, England, by guitarist Nige Rockett and drummer Steve Grice.[1] Vocalist Jase Pope and bassist Paul Hill were then asked to join as Rockett was previously in another band with them called Deranged prior to knowing Grice. A demo was recorded. A track from the demo was released as the band's first song available to the public; the 7" EP cassette was called Wessex '83 and was a product of Face of the Subhumans. Jase Pope and Paul Hill were soon to be replaced by Roge Davies and Paul Davis, respectively. The subsequent line-up recorded a demo, What Lies Ahead, in 1983, which was produced by John Perry of The Only Ones.

Power from Hell (1984–1985)

In 1984, Paul Mahoney and Jase Stallard replaced Roge Davies and Paul Davis, respectively. The band started to write more heavy metal–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 released their debut album, Power from Hell, in 1985[2] 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 Force (1985–1986)

In late 1985, Sy Keeler joined the band, who assumed the duty of Paul Mahoney.[1] Mahoney retained his place in the band, but took over bass duties from Jase Stallard, who in turn assumed the role of rhythm guitarist, giving the band a second guitarist.[1] During the first months of 1986, the new line-up was 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.[1] The album was much more successful than Power from Hell, and is considered a classic by many critics and fanzines. Paul Mahoney left the band later in 1986 and was replaced by James Hinder.[1]

In Search of Sanity (1987–1989)

In 1987, Jase Stallard's guitar playing came into question, so the band dismissed him and replaced him with Rob Trotman.[1] Using this line-up, they set out to write material for a third studio album. Having drawn the attention of London Records, the label signed the band.[1] In mid-1988, the band began to start recording their third album, In Search of Sanity. 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 NWOBHM act Grim Reaper, was drafted in to replace the departing Sy Keeler.[3] 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.

Planned fourth album and break-up (1990–1991)

In early 1990, Steve Grimmett decided to leave the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Tony O'Hora.[1] 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.[1] Although the band tried to secure a deal, nothing came to light and they decided to disband in early 1991.[1] Tony O'Hora later sung for Praying Mantis and is the singer of Sweet today.

Reunion (2005–present)

In 2005, the band was reformed[4] by Steve Grice and was joined by Sy Keeler, Nige Rockett, James Hinder. They were joined by the Welsh guitarist Alan Jordan. Writing for the band's fourth album, Killing Peace, began in 2005, and the album was released in early 2007. Bassist James Hinder left the band in 2006, before the release of Killing Peace, and was replaced by Jeff Williams. This line-up recorded a live DVD in Club Stodola, Warsaw, Poland, which was released in 2007 by Metal Mind Productions under the title Live Polish Assault.

In 2008, Jordan left the band and was replaced by guitarist Andy Rosser-Davies. In November of that year, the band recorded their live performance at the Damnation Festival in Leeds resulting in a live album (Dual Disc CD / DVD), Live Damnation; mixed by Andy Sneap, it was released in August 2009 by Candlelight Records.[5] In June 2010, the band signed to the German metal label AFM Records to record their fifth studio album, Sounds of Violence, released in January 2011.[6] On 25 March 2011, Steve Grice decided to leave the band on the eve of a major European tour. Michael Hourihan (Extreme Noise Terror / Desecration) replaced him for the tour and on November 2011 became a full member of the band. Onslaught recorded their sixth studio album, VI, from April to May and released it on 20 September 2013.

Former Anthrax singer Neil Turbin joined the band for their Thrash Invasion tour of US and Canada, Brazil and Chile, North and South America in 2014 as Sy Keeler was unable to take part due to family problems.[7] He left the tour for the last week of shows after performing at The Music Hall, Anaheim, CA on 24/11/14, only two days before the tour ended.

The band played the 10th edition of Hellfest in June 2015.[8] In an April 2015 post on Facebook, Sy Keeler revealed that Onslaught have been working on new material for their follow-up to VI.[9]

On 14 September 2015, Onslaught announced that they had recruited Iain GT Davies as a full-time replacement for Andy Rosser Davies. However, the band stated that Andy Rosser Davies will contribute to the songwriting of their next album.[10]

Members

Current members

  • Sy Keeler– vocals (1985–1988, 2005–present)
  • Nige Rockett – guitar (1982–1991, 2005–present)
  • Iain GT Davies – guitar (2015–present)
  • Jeff Williams – bass (2006–present)
  • Mike Hourihan – drums (2011–present)

Former members

  • Steven Grice – drums (1982–1991, 2005–2011)
  • Jase Pope – vocals (1982–1983)
  • Roge Davies – vocals (1983–1984)
  • Paul Mahoney – vocals (1984–1985), bass (1985–1986)
  • Steve Grimmett – vocals (1988–1990)
  • Tony O'Hora – vocals (1990–1991)
  • Paul Hill – bass (1982–1983)
  • Paul Davis – bass (1983–1984)
  • Jase Stallard – bass (1984–1985), guitar (1985–1987)
  • James Hinder – bass (1986–1991, 2005–2006)
  • Rob Trotman – guitar (1987–1991)
  • Alan Jordan – guitar (2005–2008)
  • Andy Rosser-Davies – guitar (2008–2015)
  • Leigh Chambers - lead guitar (2013 - 2015)

Stand-in members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Live albums

DVDs

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Onslaught (band).
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Anderson, Jason: Onslaught, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Huey, Steve: Power from Hell – Onslaught, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
  3. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo: In Search of Sanity – Onslaught, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
  4. ↑ Henderson, Alex: Killing Peace – Onslaught, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
  5. ↑ Live Damnation – Onslaught : Releases, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
  6. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo: Sounds of Violence – Onslaught, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Team Rock, Team Rock, accessed on 26/11/2014
  8. ↑ New bands announcement, 5 December 2014, accessed on 9 December 2014.
  9. ↑ Thrash Metal!, 15 April 2015, accessed on 15 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Onslaught Recruits Guitarist Iain GT Davies". Blabbermouth.net. 2015-09-14. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
  11. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 407. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  12. ↑ Morton, Mark: Shadow of Death – Onslaught, Allmusic, accessed on 2 May 2013.
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