Wrathchild America

Wrathchild America is an American heavy metal band formed in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1978. They released two studio albums through Atlantic Records, and gained charting success through the Billboard 200. In 1992, they changed their name to Souls at Zero. The band is also notable for including one-time Kix member Brad Divens, and a then-unknown Shannon Larkin, who went on to become the drummer for many bands such as Ugly Kid Joe, Candlebox and Godsmack.

History

Wrathchild was formed in 1978. The band was formed by high school friends, Shannon Larkin, Kevin Keller and Terry Carter. Kevin met Terry after school in band class and was asked to join up with his friend Shannon. They had a band at the time named "Atlantis". Ralph "Rat" Tillman and Max "Tuck" McDonald soon joined and changed the name to Tyrant and then later to Wrathchild. Brad was recruited by Kevin Keller by throwing business cards at him while he was performing with his band "Ratzalad". John Turner was soon hired from his band "The Shift". Wrathchild was a renowned live act in the mid to late 1980s all across the U.S. when they were known simply as Wrathchild. After years of touring, playing gigs, and hard work, the band finally was signed to a major label in 1988 thanks in large part to the dedicated work of Chip Seligman. However, a British glam metal band with the same name, Wrathchild, sued and forced the delay of the debut release. The band amended their name by adding America, and their debut album Climbin' the Walls peaked at #190 on the Billboard 200.^[1][2] Though only given a half of a songwriting credit for the song "London After Midnight", Kevin also co-wrote the songs: "No Deposit, No Return" and "Day of the Thunder". Their subsequent release was widely ignored since the thrash genre was still not widely accepted as it is today. The band changed their name to Souls at Zero and revamped their stylistic approach.

Jay Abbene: According to a posting on Tartarean Desire, former Toxik drummer Tad Leger has launched a brand new project called Lucertola (Italian for "lizard"). The group's musical style is said to be a blend of Leger's biggest influences: doom, old Voivod and Italian horror soundtracks (Goblin, Fabio Frizzi). Tad started out recording both guitar and drums himself, but was joined by his old Blackened Sky bandmate Andy Abbene and his brother Jay Abbene (Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero) in early December 2005.

Kevin Keller went on to perform with Salem with former members of Sabotage, formed his current band Vulgar Bullet in 2000. Terry Carter became involved in country music and is currently touring. Brad Divens has become one of the best FOH sound engineers. Shannon Larkin went on to be the driving force in Godsmack.

As of December 2016, rumors are circulating that a Wrathchild America reunion is in the works.^[3][4]

Members

• Terry Carter – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1992, 2017–)
• Shannon Larkin – drums, backing vocals (1978–1992, 2017–)
• Brad Divens – guitar, bass guitar, lead vocals (1983–1992, 2017–)
• Jay Abbene – guitars, backing vocals (1984–1992, 2017–)

Former members

• Kevin Keller – guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals (1978-1987)
• Ralph Tillman – lead vocals (1979 -1981)
• Tuck McDonald – Bass guitar, lead vocals (1979-1983)
• Tracy "Mace" Peyton – guitars, backing vocals (1981-1982)
• Max Hykes – guitars, backing vocals (1982-1983)
• John Turner – guitars, backing vocals (1983-1984)
• Mike Combs – lead vocals
• Chris Brinkman – guitars, backing vocals

Discography

Demos

• Danger-Us (1983)
• Days of Thunder (1987)
• Demo '89 (1989)

Studio albums

• Climbin' the Walls (1989)
• 3-D (1991)

See also

• Souls at Zero

References

External links

• BNR Metal Pages: Wrathchild America
• Terry Carter at MySpace