Heathen (band)

Heathen
Origin	San Francisco, California, USA
Genres	Thrash metal, Power metal, Speed metal
Years active	1984–1993 2002–present
Labels	Combat, Roadrunner, Mascot Records
Associated acts	Exodus, Blind Illusion, Die Krupps, Ulysses Siren, Laaz Rockit, Angel Witch
Website	http://www.heathenmetal.com
Members
Dave White Lee Altus Jon Torres Kragen Lum Darren Minter
Past members
Doug Piercy Mike "Yaz" Jastremski Rick Weaver Carl Sacco Marc Biedermann Ira Black Terry Lauderdale Sam Kress

Heathen is an American thrash metal band originating from the Bay Area San Francisco, founded in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus and drummer Carl Sacco. They have released three albums, Breaking the Silence (1987), Victims of Deception (1991) and The Evolution of Chaos (2010).

History

First era (1984-1992)

Heathen was formed in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus and drummer Carl Sacco (formerly of Metal Church), who later recruited lead vocalist Sam Kress and guitarist Jim Sanguinetti. Shortly after their first gig in 1985, Sam Kress and Jim Sanguinetti (the latter went on to form the band Mordred) left the group and were replaced by vocalist David Godfrey (formerly of Blind Illusion) and guitarist Doug Piercy (formerly of Anvil Chorus and Control). The band also recruited bassist Eric Wong around the same time. This lineup debuted in early 1986 and soon became prolific around the Bay Area. Their early style could be described as the aggression of thrash metal combined with NWOBHM-style vocals and arrangements, acoustic like intros or outros, and fast-paced melodic shred solos.

Heathen's break came when they released their Pray For Death demo, which in 1987 resulted in their signing by Combat Records. Shortly after their signing Eric Wong left the band to join Piranha. Former Griffin guitarist Mike "Yaz" Jastremski became the new bassist.

Heathen's debut album Breaking the Silence was released in 1987. The album was well received critically and featured one very successful single, a cover of the 1970s glam rock band Sweet's song "Set Me Free". The song got some rock radio airplay and the video received rotation on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. The band embarked on a tour in support of the album.

In 1988 Carl Sacco left due to musical differences. He was replaced by Darren Minter. Mike Jastremski left the band shortly after, and the band went through number of bassists and vocalists between 1988 and 1991. In 1989 David Godfrey left the band due to personal and musical differences. For a few months the late ex-Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff became the band's vocalist. They also briefly toured with late Metal Church vocalist David Wayne. In late 1988, Rick Weaver was recruited from the band (The Dispossessed) that had opened for the Midwest leg of the national tour. He left amicably in 1989 citing creative differences. In 1990, Godfrey (now going by David White) returned to Heathen.

In order to record their album Victims of Deception, Heathen recruited Blind Illusion mainman Marc Biedermann to play bass in the studio. The album was released in 1991 through Roadrunner Records. Victims of Deception was considerably more technical, featuring odd time signatures, more complex riffs and songs, tempo and key changes, and longer song lengths, and is often described as progressive thrash metal. It was also critically acclaimed, though it was not quite as commercially successful as Breaking The Silence'. The cover of Rainbow's "Kill the King" and original ballad "Prisoners of Fate" were released as singles and had minor rock radio airplay.

That year Heathen found a permanent bassist in Randy Laire and toured extensively until the untimely death of Laire and his girlfriend in a car accident. The band replaced him with Jason Viebrooks. Doug Piercy departed from the band in 1992 and was replaced by Ira Black. The band planned to record a covers EP dedicated to Laire and his girlfriend as well as White's deceased brother Jeffery. But the band went on hiatus in 1992.

Return

Heathen reunited in 2001 comprising David White, Lee Altus, Ira Black, Mike Jastremski and Darren Minter, to play the Thrash of the Titans concert to help Chuck Billy and Chuck Schuldiner raise funds for Billy's throat cancer treatment and Schuldiner's brain cancer treatment. The concert was a huge success, but in 2004, Mike "Yaz" Jastremski left the band again, and was replaced by Ulysses Siren bassist Jon Torres. A full-length album, Recovered was released on Relentless Metal Records, consisting of re-recorded old material and cover songs. A new demo was released in August 2005, containing three new songs.

Heathen recruited Terry Lauderdale in 2005 to be the second guitarist and toured across Europe. Also in 2005, Lee Altus joined Bay Area thrashers Exodus, but remained on Heathen's lineup. In November 2007, the band recruited Prototype guitarist Kragen Lum and Mark Hernandez to replace Minter and Piecy. In addition, drummer Darren Minter returned to the band. released The Evolution Of Chaos on King Records in Japan Dec 23, 2009, Mascot Records Jan. 25, 2010 and Mascot Records USA in Feb 2010. This album soon became www.metallian.com's Album Of The Month.

Heathen played at the Rock Hard Festival in Germany 2009 and later supported Testament, Exodus, and Kreator at Thrash Domination in Kawasaki, Japan, where they were anecdotally considered best band by the fans on the Thrash Domination forum. In support of Heathen's first original album since 1991, "Evolution Of Chaos", Heathen toured in April and May 2010 after having to cancel their planned March dates.

Thrashfest Classics 2011 European Tour

Beginning November 25th, 2011 Heathen took to the stage all over Europe on the Thrashfest Classics 2011 European Tour 2011. The bill also included Sepultura, Exodus, Destruction and Mortal Sin. The tour is set to conclude in Vienna, Austria on December 18th, 2011.

Discography

• Breaking the Silence (1987)
• Victims of Deception (1991)
• The Evolution of Chaos (2010)

Band members

Current members

• David White - Lead Vocals (1985-1989/1989-1992/2001–Present)
• Lee Altus - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1984-1992/2001–Present)
• Kragen Lum - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (2007–Present)
• Jason Viebrooks - Bass (2011–Present)
• Darren Minter - Drums (1988-1992/2001-2007/2008–Present)

Former members

Vocalists

• Sam Kress - Lead Vocals (1984) (Deceased)
• Paul Baloff - Lead Vocals (1988) (Deceased)
• Rick Weaver - Lead Vocals (1988-1989)

Guitarists

• Jim Sanguinetti - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1984)
• Doug Piercy - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1985–1992)
• Sven Soderlund - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1992) (touring guitarist)
• Ira Black - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (1992/2001-2004)
• Terry Lauderdale - Lead/Rhythm Guitars (2005–2007)

Bassists

• Eric Wong - Bass (1985)
• Mike "Yaz" Jastremski - Bass (1986-1988/2001-2002) (Deceased)
• Manny Bravo - Bass (1989)
• Vern McElroy - Bass (1989–1990)
• Marc Biedermann - Bass (1990–1991)
• Randy Laire - Bass (1991–1992) (Deceased)
• Jason Viebrooks - Bass (1992)
• Jon Torres - Bass (2002–2011)

Drummers

• Carl Sacco - Drums (1984–1988)
• Mark Hernandez - Drums (2007)

External links

• www.myspace.com/heathenmetal [1]
• Allmusic Entry