Wrathchild America - Biography
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1988-
Biography
Formed in 1983 this band became legendary in the Maryland / Virginia area by working hard by playing local gigs and extensive touring. Wrathchild were signed to Atlantic Records but before they could release their first record a british glam band with the same name sued and forced the delay of their debut release. So the band changed their name to Wrathchild America but by the time "Climbing The Walls" was released in 1989 the scene was moving in different directions. Songs like "No Deposit No Return", "Silent Darkness (Smothered Life)" and the Pink Floyd cover of "Time" were nothing short of great metal by some talented musicians. Check out the pit anthem "Climbing The Walls" and you'll here what I mean. Again they play local gigs and tour their asses off building an awesome reputation.
In 1991 Wrathchild America released their sophmore album titled '3-D'. This album takes on an identity of it's own and can be considered too complex for the average listener. Brad, Shannon, T-Bone and Jay were showing that they were very well educated in their instruments and could play any style of music there was. This effort was filled with time changes, riff progressions and backed by a heavy dose of in your face attitude. '3-D' has loads of jazz, blues and thrash elements all wrapped into one big mammoth sound, songs like "Desert Grins", "Gentleman Death" and all possess the qualitites of ass kicking metal with a twist of out right reality while the song 'Prego' has a touch of, oh it's in there.
Still having their problems they deside to re-create themselves and find a new center. The result was the dimise of Wrathchild America and the birth of Souls At Zero. Their sound was more stripped down and less infused but still every bit as crushing. In 1993 they played a gig in Baltimore Maryland at the local club Hammerjacks. They introduced the reincarnation of four musicians filled with anger and frustration, and marked the end and begining of a new era. Signed with Energy Records now they release of their self titled album 'Souls At Zero', they continue working hard and touring with some great bands including the Rock For Pot tour with Pantera, Crowbar and Sacred Reich playing 400 to 2000 capasity venues and educating the masses on the hemp movement. Check out the twelve bad ass tunes on this disc and you'll wonder why you haven't been listening to them already. Songs like "Checking Out", "Grey World", "Never" and the title track "Souls At Zero" are a testament as to what pure emotion can create. This marked the end and begining of a new era.
1994 they release a six song EP titled 'Six-T-Six' with a couple of cover tunes from the Circle Jerks and Bad Brains a demo of hardline and a few new tunes. In 1995 they release 'A Taste For The Perverse' but by this time Shannon had left and his replacement was Jamie Miller, the percussionist from a project M.F. Pitbulls. The sound is not as heavy as their preveous efforts but still manages to capture some well writen music. The songs all took on a more modern style yet still glisened with their signiture grinding heavy sound. Songs like "Undesided", "Strip" and "Thrown Down" are none to shabby and mix well with todays heavier bands while the songs needles and inside a scream see them venturing deeper into thier souls. Shortly after the release and touring schedule Terry and Jay left the band and they were unable to continue the spark. Brad, Jamie and I believe two friends / road crew forfilled tour obligations and then disbanned.
This was a band that faught through all the coorperate bullshit time and time again, writing and creating music far a head of it's time and never gained much more than cult status. They had so much to offer but the cards were never delt them. So I dedicate this my space fan site to one of the all time greats Souls At Zero / Wrathchild America.
Terry Carter - A.K.A. "T-Bone" has since moved on to playing in country and blues bands and just about any other form of music that puts him on a stage in front of a crowd. For a short time he toured with Fear Of God but now resides in Florida.
Brad Divens is now a producer / promoter / sound engineer working with such bands as Mindset and Linkin Park, Cyndi Lauper and Slayer. He was a member of the 80's rock band Kix.
Jay Abbene was in Kiddie Porn with Shannon. He's toured with Fear Of God and Crowbar but I am unsure after that.
Shannon Larkin is now in Godsmack and has played for or toured with M.F. Pitbulls, Amen, Ugly Kid Joe, Kiddie Porn, Black Sabbath and Glenn Tipton among others.
Source: Myspace
In 1991 Wrathchild America released their sophmore album titled '3-D'. This album takes on an identity of it's own and can be considered too complex for the average listener. Brad, Shannon, T-Bone and Jay were showing that they were very well educated in their instruments and could play any style of music there was. This effort was filled with time changes, riff progressions and backed by a heavy dose of in your face attitude. '3-D' has loads of jazz, blues and thrash elements all wrapped into one big mammoth sound, songs like "Desert Grins", "Gentleman Death" and all possess the qualitites of ass kicking metal with a twist of out right reality while the song 'Prego' has a touch of, oh it's in there.
Still having their problems they deside to re-create themselves and find a new center. The result was the dimise of Wrathchild America and the birth of Souls At Zero. Their sound was more stripped down and less infused but still every bit as crushing. In 1993 they played a gig in Baltimore Maryland at the local club Hammerjacks. They introduced the reincarnation of four musicians filled with anger and frustration, and marked the end and begining of a new era. Signed with Energy Records now they release of their self titled album 'Souls At Zero', they continue working hard and touring with some great bands including the Rock For Pot tour with Pantera, Crowbar and Sacred Reich playing 400 to 2000 capasity venues and educating the masses on the hemp movement. Check out the twelve bad ass tunes on this disc and you'll wonder why you haven't been listening to them already. Songs like "Checking Out", "Grey World", "Never" and the title track "Souls At Zero" are a testament as to what pure emotion can create. This marked the end and begining of a new era.
1994 they release a six song EP titled 'Six-T-Six' with a couple of cover tunes from the Circle Jerks and Bad Brains a demo of hardline and a few new tunes. In 1995 they release 'A Taste For The Perverse' but by this time Shannon had left and his replacement was Jamie Miller, the percussionist from a project M.F. Pitbulls. The sound is not as heavy as their preveous efforts but still manages to capture some well writen music. The songs all took on a more modern style yet still glisened with their signiture grinding heavy sound. Songs like "Undesided", "Strip" and "Thrown Down" are none to shabby and mix well with todays heavier bands while the songs needles and inside a scream see them venturing deeper into thier souls. Shortly after the release and touring schedule Terry and Jay left the band and they were unable to continue the spark. Brad, Jamie and I believe two friends / road crew forfilled tour obligations and then disbanned.
This was a band that faught through all the coorperate bullshit time and time again, writing and creating music far a head of it's time and never gained much more than cult status. They had so much to offer but the cards were never delt them. So I dedicate this my space fan site to one of the all time greats Souls At Zero / Wrathchild America.
Terry Carter - A.K.A. "T-Bone" has since moved on to playing in country and blues bands and just about any other form of music that puts him on a stage in front of a crowd. For a short time he toured with Fear Of God but now resides in Florida.
Brad Divens is now a producer / promoter / sound engineer working with such bands as Mindset and Linkin Park, Cyndi Lauper and Slayer. He was a member of the 80's rock band Kix.
Jay Abbene was in Kiddie Porn with Shannon. He's toured with Fear Of God and Crowbar but I am unsure after that.
Shannon Larkin is now in Godsmack and has played for or toured with M.F. Pitbulls, Amen, Ugly Kid Joe, Kiddie Porn, Black Sabbath and Glenn Tipton among others.
Source: Myspace