Exhorder is an American thrash/groove metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. They are credited as the purveyors of the groove-oriented thrash sound later made famous by bands such as Pantera, White Zombie, and Machine Head. Initially active from 1985 to 1992, they have since reformed in 2008.
Early days (1985-1992)
Exhorder was formed in 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana. After releasing several demos in the vein of pure thrash metal, they started to adapt more of a groove metal-oriented sound with their debut studio album, Slaughter in the Vatican, released in 1990. This sound was further developed by their second (and to date last) album, The Law, released in 1992. The band dissolved later that year.
Reunion (1998-present)
Exhorder reunited for several reunion gigs in 1998, 2001, and 2003 in New Orleans. On May 9, 2008, it was announced that the band had reunited and had begun writing new material. As of that day, the band’s official Myspace page contains the reunited group’s lineup as well as the headline “writing new material for the return of Exhorder”. They played their first reunion show on November 14, 2009 at Southport Hall in Jefferson, LA followed by another less than a month later on December 12, 2009 at City Club in Houma, LA. A reunion show with Crowbar at the Hangar in New Orleans on February 12 was their most recent performance to date. The lineup for all of these shows was the same as that of The Law album.
On March 22, 2011 bassist Frankie Sparcello passed away. Cause of death is not yet certain.
Controversy
Several elements of Exhorder’s debut could potentially explain its lack of commercial success in relation to Pantera. In disagreement with the opinion that Exhorder is “Pantera minus the good songs,” AMG’s review of Slaughter in the Vatican expresses that “perhaps a more accurate billing would be to call them Pantera without the major label backing.” They also point to the fact that the title of Exhorder’s debut, along with the unsubtle album cover, “certainly didn’t help [its] cause any.” Exhorder lead vocalist Kyle Thomas has stated that he does not care about any of the criticism and is sick of seeing Exhorder’s name tied to Pantera’s. He also stated that he and some members of Pantera were friends, and that he mourns the loss of Dimebag Darrell. Recently, Thomas suggested that while it is possible Pantera may have been influenced by his band, the members of Pantera “work[ed] a … lot harder than [they] did.”
Members
Current
- Kyle Thomas – vocals (1985–1992, 1998–2003, 2008–present)
- Vinnie LaBella – guitar (1985–1992, 1998–2003, 2008–present)
- Jay Ceravolo – guitar (1988–1992, 1998–2003, 2008–present)
- Seth Davis – drums (2010–present)
Former
- David Main – guitar (1985–1988)
- Andy Villafarra – bass (1985–1990, 2009–2010)
- Chris Nail – drums (1985–1992, 1998–2003, 2008–2010)
- Frankie Sparcello – bass (1991–1992, 2010–2011)
Exhorder on Encyclopedia Metallum:
Genre: thrash metal
Lyrical theme: crime, death, religion
Origin: US (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Formed In: 1985
Current Label: Unsigned
Status: Active
Current Lineup:
Kyle Thomas – Vocals (Floodgate, Pitts Vs. Preps, Alabama Thunderpussy, Trouble (USA), Drip, Jones’s Lounge)
Jay Ceravolo – Guitar (Fall From Grace)
Vinnie Labella – Guitar
Seth Davis – Drums
Former/Past Members:
Guitars:
David Main
Bass:
Andy Villaferra
Franky Sparcello (Zion) (R.I.P. July 6th 1970 – March 22nd 2011)
Drums:
Chris Nail (Floodgate)
Additional Notes:
The band reformed in 2008.
Exhorder are often credited with having created the groove-oriented thrash metal sound that was copied and popularized by Pantera. The band is either more or less indifferent to such sentiment as they were friends with Pantera and were saddened by the passing of Dimebag Darrell. However, they do not deny the possibility of them having influenced Pantera’s sound even though Kyle Thomas has stated Pantera deserves the praise they receive as he feels Pantera have always worked much harder than Exhorder ever did at being successful.
Check out my website for more cool music: aaron sparks
Check out my abstract graphics galleries: aaron sparks
Check out my links page for all things guitar related: aaron sparks
No comments:
Post a Comment