Oil (band)

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Oil
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre(s)	Christian metal, Thrash metal
Years active	1997–2004
Label(s)	Kaluboné
Associated acts	Dark Angel
Former members
Blake Nelson Ron Rinehart Matthew Joy Jason Vander Pal Eric Wilkens Jonathan Thiemens

Oil is a Christian thrash metal band from Long Beach, California. The band was founded by Ron Rinehart, ex-vocalist for Dark Angel, who converted to Christianity at a Harvest Crusade.^[1] Other members include Blake Nelson (lead guitars) and Jason Vander Pal (drums). They released a self-titled debut album in 1997, a second album called Refine in 2000 and a live album Choice Cuts Off the Chopping Block in 2003.

In 2004 it was announced that Ron Rinehart was leaving the band to pursue other non-musical interests. The rest of the group is looking for a new vocalist.

As of 2006 guitarist Blake Nelson has formed a new secular project called Darkness Falls.

1 Biography
2 Discography
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] Biography

Oil are a Los Angeles based Cristian thrash metal band fronted by former Dark Angel singer Ron Rinehart. The frontman became a Christian upon Dark Angel's dissolution in 1992. Oil debuted with a self-financed EP during 1999. Also featured in the ranks of Oil is erstwhile Deceiver, Desire and Captain Black guitarist Blake Nelson. For the full-length album Jason Vander Pal took over on the drum stool from "Eric".

The "Refine" album pulled in a generous helping of enthusiastic reviews for it's honest, no frills Metal approach. The band managed to put in live gigs, including a showing at the Stryper Expo, but unfortunately Rinehart received an injury shortly after the album release which put Oil on hold for nearly a year. Fully recovered, Rinehart and Oil got back into action being announced as special guests to Disciple in April.

The band recorded a live album "Choice Cuts Off the Chopping Block" at the First Baptist Church of Downey in Downey, California in November of 2002. The record included two new acoustic songs "This Is My Prayer" and "Medicine Man". However, bassist Matthew Joy opted out in May of 2003 and Oil drafted Jonathan Thiemens of Blind Sacrificies as temporary replacement. Thiemans would be confirmed as a permanent addition to the ranks by July.

Oil announced they were to disband in July of 2004. Before going their separate ways, the group undertook one last show on 14th August alongside Recon, East West, Trauma and Terrestrial Harvest at The Lighthouse in Long Beach, California. ^[2] [1]

[edit] Discography

Oil (1997)
Refine (2000)
Choice Cuts Off the Chopping Block (2003)

[edit] Notes

^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 647. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.