Toranaga - Biography
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2010-
After reform in 2010 and since.
After reform in 2010 and since.
1985-1992
Biography
The story of Toranaga began in 1988 when Andy Burton (bass), Steve Todd (drums), Mark Duffy (vocals) and Andy Mitchell (guitar) released their debut album 'Bastard Ballads' on independent label Peaceville records.
Rave reviews of the album and extensive gigs the band played resulted in a Friday rock show session for the BBC with the legendary Tommy Vance. An invitation by metal giants Manowar to open for them on their UK tour resulted in major record labels showing serious interest and in 1989 the band signed to Chrysalis Records.
The band released their major label debut album 'Gods Gift' in the spring of 1990, again the band received some great reviews, even Metal Hammer magazine in Germany giving it "Album of the month".
The band also filmed a video for "The Shrine" the album's stand out track which was played on MTV headbangers ball and Raw magazine's Heavy Metal Channel.
The band toured with Sabbat, Venom, Saxon, Manowar, Metal Church, Uriah Heep, Annihilator and many others, as well as embarking on their own headlining tours, throughout the UK and Europe.
But like most major labels at that time expectations were high and the band were not given the chance to develop and grow. So the band parted company with 'Chrysalis Records' in September 1991.There was also some unrest within the band so Andy Burton and Mark Duffy decided to leave, we felt the band had lost the chemistry, same thoughts and ambitions we once all had as a unit.
Mark Duffy rejoined the new line up of Toranaga in 2001, but again, as Mark points out, without Andy Burton and Steve Todd involved the band struggled and the chemistry was not right.
In 2006 guitarist and founding member Andy Mitchell emigrated to Australia.
In 2010 Andy Burton decided to dust off his bass guitar and contact Steve Todd and Mark Duffy to start playing some of the old Toranaga songs as well as writing and recording new material. He also found two excellent new guitarists Shane Haigh and John Rodgers. The chemistry, drive, ambition and friendship is now back in the band.
The band have recorded a video for one of the album tracks "Cynical Eyes".
The band also feature in the thrash metal documentary "A History Of A Time to Come" which has a 2012 release.
Source: Facebook
Rave reviews of the album and extensive gigs the band played resulted in a Friday rock show session for the BBC with the legendary Tommy Vance. An invitation by metal giants Manowar to open for them on their UK tour resulted in major record labels showing serious interest and in 1989 the band signed to Chrysalis Records.
The band released their major label debut album 'Gods Gift' in the spring of 1990, again the band received some great reviews, even Metal Hammer magazine in Germany giving it "Album of the month".
The band also filmed a video for "The Shrine" the album's stand out track which was played on MTV headbangers ball and Raw magazine's Heavy Metal Channel.
The band toured with Sabbat, Venom, Saxon, Manowar, Metal Church, Uriah Heep, Annihilator and many others, as well as embarking on their own headlining tours, throughout the UK and Europe.
But like most major labels at that time expectations were high and the band were not given the chance to develop and grow. So the band parted company with 'Chrysalis Records' in September 1991.There was also some unrest within the band so Andy Burton and Mark Duffy decided to leave, we felt the band had lost the chemistry, same thoughts and ambitions we once all had as a unit.
Mark Duffy rejoined the new line up of Toranaga in 2001, but again, as Mark points out, without Andy Burton and Steve Todd involved the band struggled and the chemistry was not right.
In 2006 guitarist and founding member Andy Mitchell emigrated to Australia.
In 2010 Andy Burton decided to dust off his bass guitar and contact Steve Todd and Mark Duffy to start playing some of the old Toranaga songs as well as writing and recording new material. He also found two excellent new guitarists Shane Haigh and John Rodgers. The chemistry, drive, ambition and friendship is now back in the band.
The band have recorded a video for one of the album tracks "Cynical Eyes".
The band also feature in the thrash metal documentary "A History Of A Time to Come" which has a 2012 release.
Source: Facebook