Speed Limit (band)
Speed Limit | |
|---|---|
 Speed Limit live 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Salzburg, Austria |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1984–1994, 2008–present |
| Members |
|
| Website | speedlimitweb |
Speed Limit is an Austrian heavy metal band from Salzburg. It was founded in 1984 and dissolved in 1994. It was reformed in 2008 and has been active ever since.[1] In 1988 their single Lady charted in seven countries across Europe and the accompanying music video was aired internationally.[2]
The band's style is a mixture of hard rock, melodic metal and classic heavy metal.
History
1984 to 1994: Founding, international fame and disbandment
The band's modern incarnation came about when an identically named precursor band and the local Salbzurg band Ampere merged in 1984. Guitarist Chris Angerer and Bassist Chris Pawlak formed the backbone of the group, while other positions changed rapidly. In 1989 guitarist Joe Eder joined the two and has remained a member ever since.
In their early years the band played locally and released their first record Unchained in 1986. Their EP Prophecy garnered wider attention and their single Lady was an international hit, in part due to its music video. The band toured in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Hungary. A jury of the austrian youth magazine Rennbahn Express, including Gene Simmons of KISS and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, named them Best Austrian Metal Act in 1989.[3]
In the following years the band kept playing in Austria and southern Germany, but their second record Perfect Inspiration couldn't replicate their earlier success. From 1992 onwards the band experienced frequent changes in its line-up. Since interest in Heavy Metal itself appeared to fade during the 1990s, the remaining members agreed to dissolve the band in 1994.[1]
2008 to present: Reunion and modest success
In 2008, the group's 1989 line-up (except for drummer Andy Rethmeier) reuinted and did a show opening for Nazareth in April 2008 in Salzburg.[4] They continued touring, opening for Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann's Earth Band, played a show at the Austria Rock Festival in Klagenfurt and headlined shows in southern Germany and Austria. They got signed by Pure Steel Records and released their comeback album Moneyshot in 2010, which charted for 12 weeks.[5] Their first album and EP got re-released the year after.
In 2012, singer Steven Hogger left the band unexcepectedly. His successor Ritchie Krennmaier only lasted until 2014 and left together with drummer Wolf Krug. Searching for replacements took some time, which is why the group's next record Anywhere We Dare only released in 2017.[1] It was their heaviest record to date, according to the band. Their new vocalist left the band the same year, which now continued as a quartet, with drummer Hannes Vordermayer providing vocals ever since.[6]
In 2023, the group released their next album Cut A Long Story Short on NRT-Records, which again included more 1980s influences.[7]
Discography
Albums
- 1986: Unchained, Die Mühle Soundrecording
- 1992: Perfect Inspiration, Kick Records/Selfpublished
- 2010: Moneyshot, Pure Rock Records
- 2011: Unchained/Prophecy (Remaster), Karthago Records
- 2017: Anywhere We Dare, Pure Rock Records
- 2023: Cut A Long Story Short, NRT-Records
EPs
- 1988: Prophecy, Breaking Records
References
- ^ a b c Walther Tanner (2017-10-06). "Interview: SPEED LIMIT - Gitarrist Joe Eder". Stormbringer.at (in German). Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ "„Speed Limit": Hardrockband seit 35 Jahren". orf.at (in German). 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ "SPEED LIMIT – Austro-Hardrock-Haudegen feiern auf Jubiläums-Tour „35 Years of Dealing With Danger"". rockmagazine.net (in German). 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ Nicole Schuchter (2010-11-23). "SPEED LIMIT präsentieren sich mit neuer CD im Rockhouse". Salzburg 24 (in German). Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ Bruder Cle (2011-01-19). "Moneyshot". Rock Hard, Ausgabe 284 (in German). Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ Petra Suchanek (2019-12-19). "Speed Limit: Sie rocken für ihr Leben gern". Salzburger Nachrichten (in German). Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ Kayser, Stefan (June 16, 2013). "SPEED LIMIT - Cut A Long Story Short". Powermetal.de (in German).
External links
