ShockHound

Thrash metal band formed in Oakland, California, USA, in June 1992 by Robb Flynn (b. 19 July 1968, Oakland, California, USA; vocals/guitar, ex-Vio-lence), Logan Mader (guitar), Adam Duce (bass) and Tony Constanza (drums), although the latter was quickly replaced by Chris Kontos (ex-Verbal Abuse). Specializing in angry, violent scenarios, their 1994 debut relied heavily on Flynn's "reflections about the self and some of my personal experiences". These were accompanied by overdriven guitars in the tradition of a fresh-faced Anthrax, with a level of guile that few had anticipated. European touring with Slayer brought the band rave reviews the following year, before Roadrunner Records released "Old", backed by cover versions of hardcore material by Poison Idea and the Cro-Mags. Meanwhile, Burn My Eyes clocked up impressive sales.Kontos left the band in 1995 to work with Testament and Konkhra; his replacement was ex-Sacred Reich Dave McClain, who contributed to the sombre The More Things Change.... Logan Mader unexpectedly left the band in spring 1998 and was replaced by Ahrue Luster. The Burning Red was released the following year, but its nu metal leanings and Ross Robinson production showed how far Machine Head had fallen from prominence since their debut album. The follow-up, Supercharger, was a critical and commercial flop and was followed by the departure of Luster. The guitarist was replaced by Flynn's former Vio-lence colleague Phil Demmel, who made his debut on 2003's Through The Ashes Of Empires. Some reviews for the 2007 follow-up The Blackening called it a masterpiece; it would seem that the band's mid-career lull is way behind them.DISCOGRAPHY: Burn My Eyes (Roadrunner 1994)****, The More Things Change ... (Roadrunner 1997)***, The Burning Red (Roadrunner 1999)***, Supercharger (Roadrunner 2001)**, Hellalive (Roadrunner 2003)**, Through The Ashes Of Empires (Roadrunner 2003)***, The Blackening (Roadrunner 2007)****.VIDEOGRAPHY: Elegies (Roadrunner 2005).Encyclopedia of Popular MusicCopyright 2008 by Muze Inc.; all rights reserved.|