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 the second wave punk rock bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal sound.
History
Origins
Onslaught were formed in 1983 in Bristol, England by guitarist Nige Rockett and drummer Steve Grice. Joined by vocalist Jase Pope and bassist Paul Hill, a demo was recorded and released later that year by this line up.
Jase Pope and Paul Hill were soon to be replaced by Roge Davies and Paul Davies respectively. The subsequent line-up recorded an EP, What Lies Ahead, in 1983.
Power From Hell
In 1984, Paul Mahoney and Jase Stallard replaced Roge Davies and Paul Davies 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 the band released their debut album, Power From Hell, in 1985 as a result. As with other metal bands of the time, the lyrics were often Satanic, and the cover showed a demon emerging from a pentagram.
The Force
In late 1985, Sy Keeler joined the band, who took over the vocal duty from Paul Mahoney. Mahoney retained his place in the band but took over playing bass from Jase Stallard, who in turn took on the role of rhythm guitarist, giving the band a second guitarist. During the early months of 1986, the new line up set out to record their second album, The Force, at a recording studio in London. The album was released in the spring of that year through the Under One Flag label. The album was much more successful than Power From Hell, and was considered an instant classic by many fanzines and critics.[citation needed] Paul Mahoney, citing personal reasons, left the band later in 1986 and was replaced by James Hinder.
In Search Of Sanity
Onslaught's policy of the sacking of band members changed in 1987. Jase Stallard's guitar playing came into question, so the band dismissed him and replaced him with Rob Trotman. 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. In mid 1988, the band began to start recording In Search of Sanity, their third album. 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. 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, mainly because many fans did not like the new style of vocals.
Break-up
In early 1990, Steve Grimmett decided to leave the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Tony O'Hora. 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. Although the band tried to secure a deal, nothing came to light and they decided to disband in early 1991.
Reunion
In 2004, the band reformed with the line up of Sy Keeler, Nige Rockett, James Hinder and Steve Grice. They were joined by a Welsh second guitarist, Alan Jordan, formerly of Mirror Mirror. Amidst the touring, writing for the band's fourth album, Killing Peace, began in 2005, and it was released in early 2007.
James Hinder left the band later in 2007 and Alan Jordan left in 2008. They were replaced by Jeff Williams and Andy Rosser-Davies respectively.
Members
Current members
Sy Keeler - vocals (1985-1988, 2005-present)
Andy Rosser-Davies - guitar (2008-present)
Jeff Williams - bass (2006-present)
Steve Grice - drums (1983-1991, 2005-present)
Nige Rockett - [ (Rhythm Guitar) ] ( 1983 - present)
Former members
Jase Pope - vocals (1983)
Paul Hill - bass (1983)
Roge Davies - vocals (1983-1984)
Paul Davies - 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)
Dickie Davis - guitar (???)
Discography
Studio albums
Power From Hell (1985)
The Force (1986)
In Search of Sanity (1989)
Killing Peace (2007)
EPs
What Lies Ahead (1983)
Compilation albums
Shadow of Death (2008) (Compilation of early demos)
Singles
"My Generation" (1985)
"Let There Be Rock" (1987) (AC/DC cover)
"Welcome to Dying" (1989)
"Shellshock" (1989)
Demos
Demo (1983)
Live albums
Live Damnation (2009)
History
Origins
Onslaught were formed in 1983 in Bristol, England by guitarist Nige Rockett and drummer Steve Grice. Joined by vocalist Jase Pope and bassist Paul Hill, a demo was recorded and released later that year by this line up.
Jase Pope and Paul Hill were soon to be replaced by Roge Davies and Paul Davies respectively. The subsequent line-up recorded an EP, What Lies Ahead, in 1983.
Power From Hell
In 1984, Paul Mahoney and Jase Stallard replaced Roge Davies and Paul Davies 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 the band released their debut album, Power From Hell, in 1985 as a result. As with other metal bands of the time, the lyrics were often Satanic, and the cover showed a demon emerging from a pentagram.
The Force
In late 1985, Sy Keeler joined the band, who took over the vocal duty from Paul Mahoney. Mahoney retained his place in the band but took over playing bass from Jase Stallard, who in turn took on the role of rhythm guitarist, giving the band a second guitarist. During the early months of 1986, the new line up set out to record their second album, The Force, at a recording studio in London. The album was released in the spring of that year through the Under One Flag label. The album was much more successful than Power From Hell, and was considered an instant classic by many fanzines and critics.[citation needed] Paul Mahoney, citing personal reasons, left the band later in 1986 and was replaced by James Hinder.
In Search Of Sanity
Onslaught's policy of the sacking of band members changed in 1987. Jase Stallard's guitar playing came into question, so the band dismissed him and replaced him with Rob Trotman. 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. In mid 1988, the band began to start recording In Search of Sanity, their third album. 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. 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, mainly because many fans did not like the new style of vocals.
Break-up
In early 1990, Steve Grimmett decided to leave the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Tony O'Hora. 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. Although the band tried to secure a deal, nothing came to light and they decided to disband in early 1991.
Reunion
In 2004, the band reformed with the line up of Sy Keeler, Nige Rockett, James Hinder and Steve Grice. They were joined by a Welsh second guitarist, Alan Jordan, formerly of Mirror Mirror. Amidst the touring, writing for the band's fourth album, Killing Peace, began in 2005, and it was released in early 2007.
James Hinder left the band later in 2007 and Alan Jordan left in 2008. They were replaced by Jeff Williams and Andy Rosser-Davies respectively.
Members
Current members
Sy Keeler - vocals (1985-1988, 2005-present)
Andy Rosser-Davies - guitar (2008-present)
Jeff Williams - bass (2006-present)
Steve Grice - drums (1983-1991, 2005-present)
Nige Rockett - [ (Rhythm Guitar) ] ( 1983 - present)
Former members
Jase Pope - vocals (1983)
Paul Hill - bass (1983)
Roge Davies - vocals (1983-1984)
Paul Davies - 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)
Dickie Davis - guitar (???)
Discography
Studio albums
Power From Hell (1985)
The Force (1986)
In Search of Sanity (1989)
Killing Peace (2007)
EPs
What Lies Ahead (1983)
Compilation albums
Shadow of Death (2008) (Compilation of early demos)
Singles
"My Generation" (1985)
"Let There Be Rock" (1987) (AC/DC cover)
"Welcome to Dying" (1989)
"Shellshock" (1989)
Demos
Demo (1983)
Live albums
Live Damnation (2009)
Onslaught - Killing Peace
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