Blitzkrieg (metal band)
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (February 2013) |
Blitzkrieg | |
|---|---|
 Blitzkrieg at Jalometalli 2008 in Oulu | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Leicester, England |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Years active | 1980–1981, 1984–1991, 1992–1994, 1996–1999, 2001–present |
| Labels | Neat Records (1980-1985, 1995-1998) Roadrunner Records (1991) Edgy Records (2002) Metal Nation (2004–present) |
| Members | Brian Ross Ken Johnson Alan Ross Bill Baxter Matt Graham |
| Past members | Former members |
Blitzkrieg are a heavy metal band initially from Leicester formed in 1980. The current line-up is Brian Ross (vocals), Ken Johnson (guitar), Alan Ross (guitar), Bill Baxter (bass) and Matt Graham (drums). Brian Ross is the only remaining member from the band's founding.
History
Blitzkrieg was formed in October 1980 after signing a record deal with Neat Records, a label that was signing many of the bands involved with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. In the early stages of Blitzkrieg's career they regularly produced gigs in England, but then later split in 1981. Brian Ross most notably went on to join Satan, another metal band, along with stints in Avenger, Lone Wolf and Unter den Linden. In 1984 Ross and fellow founding member Jim Sirotto, along with guitarist Mick Proctor (ex-Tygers of Pan Tang), bass player Mick Moore (of Avenger) and drummer Sean Taylor (Satan/Blind Fury, ex-Raven) then decided that it was time to record the Blitzkrieg album that was originally planned to be released in 1981, A Time of Changes. It was later released in 1985.
Blitzkrieg released 10 Years of Blitzkrieg in 1991. The released Unholy Trinity in 1995. The album Ten was released in 1997. The Mists of Avalon was released in 1998.
Ross was then involved in a car accident, which temporarily kept Blitzkrieg from playing. After he recovered, the band released the albums, Absolute Power (a studio album), Absolutely Live (a live album) and Sins and Greed. On 10 August 2007, Blitzkrieg released their album Theatre of the Damned through their record label Armageddon Music.
Blitzkrieg is the seventh track from Metallica's 1998 album Garage, Inc. second disc. It was written by Ian Jones, Jim Sirotto and Brian Ross, with a length of 3:36.
Originally released by Blitzkrieg in 1981 as a B-side to the "Buried Alive" single, Metallica had already released their version on 1984's "Creeping Death" single (aka Garage Days Revisited).
Metallica have played this song live 80 times. The first time was March 14, 1982, in Anaheim, CA.
Members
- Brian Ross - vocals (1980–1981, 1984–91, 1992–94, 1996–99, 2001–present)
- Ken Johnson - guitars (2002–present)
- Alan Ross - guitars (2012–present)
- Bill Baxter - bass (2012–present)
- Matt Graham - drums (2015–present)
Former members
Guitars :
- Ian Jones (1980–81)
- Jim Sirotto (1980–81, 1984–86) [born Jim Sieroto]
- John Antcliffe (1981)
- Mick Proctor (1984–86)
- J D Binnie (1986–87)
- Chris Beard (1986–87)
- Steve Robertson (1988–89)
- Glenn S. Howes (1988–90, 1996–99)
- Tony J. Liddle (1989–96, 2001–02)
- Phil Millar (1996)
- Martin Richardson (1996–98)
- Paul Nesbitt (1992, 1998–2006)
- Guy Laverick (2006-2011)
- Ken Johnson (2002–present )
- Alan Ross (2012–present)
Bass :
- Steve English (1980–81)
- Mick Moore (1981, 1984–86, 1991)
- Darren Parnaby (1986–87)
- Robbie Robertson (1988–89)
- Glenn Carey (1989–90)
- Dave Anderson (1992–94)
- Steve Ireland (1996)
- Gavin Gray (1996–99)
- Andy Galloway (2001–04)
- Bill Baxter (2012–present )
Drums :
- Steve Abbey (1980–81)
- Sean Taylor (1984–86, 1991–94)
- Sean Wilkinson (1986–87)
- Kyle Gibson (1988–89)
- Gary Young (1989–90)
- Paul Ward (1996)
- Paul White (1996)
- Neil Nattrass (1996)
- Mark Hancock (1996–98)
- Mark Wyndebank (1998–99)
- Mick Kerrigan (2012–2015)
- Matt Graham (2015-present)
Discography
| Title | Released |
|---|---|
| "Buried Alive" | 1981 |
| A Time of Changes | 1985 |
| Ready for Action (EP) | 1985 |
| Ten Years of Blitzkrieg | 1991 |
| Unholy Trinity | 1995 |
| Ten | 1997 |
| The Mists of Avalon | 1998 |
| Absolute Power | 2002 |
| Absolutely Live | 2004 |
| Sins and Greed | 2005 |
| Theatre of the Damned | 2007 |
| Back from Hell | 2013 |
See also
References
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- Musical groups established in 1980
- Musical groups disestablished in 1981
- Musical groups reestablished in 1984
- Musical groups disestablished in 1991
- Musical groups reestablished in 1992
- Musical groups disestablished in 1994
- Musical groups reestablished in 1996
- Musical groups disestablished in 1999
- Musical groups reestablished in 2001
- English heavy metal musical groups
- English rock music groups
- Musical quintets