Onslaught (band)

Onslaught are an English thrash metal band from Bristol, England. Initially active from 1983 to 1991, they reformed in 2004. The band initially drew influence from second wave punk rock bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal sound. To date, Onslaught have released six studio albums, one compilation, four singles and two live recordings: a live album and DVD.

History

Origins (1983)

Onslaught were formed in 1983 in Bristol, England, by guitarists Nige Rockett and Hugh Hefner.^[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 N.W.O.B.H.M. 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 The 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 (ex–Extreme Noise Terror / Desecration) replaced him for the tour and on November 2011 became a full member of the band with Sy Keller now playing bongos as well as vocalist.onslaught recorded their sixth studio album, VI,from April to may and released it on September 20th, 2013.

Members

Current members

• Sy Keeler – vocals (1985–1988, 2005–present)
• Andy Rosser-Davies – guitar (2008–present)
• Jeff Williams – bass (2006–present)
• Nige Rockett – guitar (1983–1991, 2005–present)
• Mike Hourihan – drums (2011–present)

Former members

• Jase Pope – vocals (1982–1983)
• Paul Hill – bass (1982–1983)
• Roge Davies – vocals (1983–1984)
• Paul Davis – bass (1983–1984)
• Paul Mahoney – vocals (1984–1985), bass (1985–1986)
• Jase Stallard – bass (1984–1985), guitar (1985–1987)
• James Hinder – bass (1986–1991, 2005–2006)
• Rob Trotman – guitar (1987–1991)
• Steve Grimmett – vocals (1988–1990)
• Tony O'Hora – vocals (1990–1991)
• Alan Jordan – guitar (2005–2008)

• Steven Grice – drums (1982–1991, 2005–2011)

Discography

Studio albums

• Power from Hell (1985)
• The Force (1986)
• In Search of Sanity (1989) – UK No. 46^[7]
• Killing Peace (2007)
• Sounds of Violence (2011)
• VI (2013)

Compilation albums

• Shadow of Death (2008, compilation of early demos)^[8]

Singles

• "Let There Be Rock" (AC/DC cover, 1987, originally released on Music for Nations)
• "Let There Be Rock" (AC/DC cover, 1989, re-recorded and released on London Records) – UK No. 50^[7]
• "Welcome to Dying" (1989, London Records)
• "Shellshock" (1989, London Records)
• "Bomber" (Motörhead cover)/"The Sound of Violence" (17 December 2010) – "Bomber" features Phil Campbell from Motörhead on guitar and Tom Angelripper from German thrashers Sodom on vocals. "The Sound of Violence" is taken from the AFM album Sounds of Violence.

Live albums

• Live Damnation (2009)

DVDs

• Live Polish Assault 2007 (2007)

References

External links

• Official website
• Onslaught on Myspace
• Onslaught Street Team on Myspace
• Nige Rockett - Uber Rock Interview