It all started about 13 years ago when I put an ad in the local music paper,it said something like,"loud aggressive double bass drummer looking to join or form a heavy metal band,influences include,Iron Maiden,Hades and Slayer."I would soon receive a call from Craig Besmer.After speaking briefly we found out we had the same musical interests and decided to meet.I went to the "Immortal Garage,"a cool little rehersal studio in the back of his mom's house.Once inside I saw stolen objects from graveyards,upside down crosses,skeletons,and just weird shit all around.I felt right at home!The band then consisted of Brian Malone(birx) on vocals,Rob Pasterino on bass,Craig Besmer on guitars and myself on drums.After a few gigs and finnaly landing a slot in the mighty Frank Cariola's sundance,the band started to gain a sincere following.Shortly after a second guitarist Jay Banks would be added.The band moved on playing a death,thrash style of metal.After several years Brian decided to give the pipes a rest and quit the band.The band tried a few singers out,but decided on Joe Totillo,a cranking guitar player,and overall friend of the band(he was not a signer!)Down the road bassist Rob would be replaced by Bri-Sty,and Jay would find himself joining a hard core band going on tour.
The band now earned opening slots at the Roxy for such name acts as "Death,Morbid Angel,Life Of Agony,Gothic Slam & Overkill".We had demo tapes,stickers and t-shirts to hand out at these shows.People were starting to know who we were~.Now Bri sty was ready to step out of the band,so the band came across Jeff Beavers(aka-the bass god.) Jeff was a great player and brought his Maiden-esque sound to the band.We recorded our first cd in 1999,with a little help from Dave Defeis of Virgin Steele.We got a little television and some radio exposure,as well as some sales out of the United States.With the help of the bands web site we started to gain a small following overseas.A year in a half later we would record our second cd, & do some more shows.Jeff was playing with Dave & friends for a short while,and I was able to jam with one of my all time favorite bands Hades a few times!Jeff would soon relocate to Florida and leave the band.Kevin Coleman,a long time "younger" fan of the bands would soon step in like a champ.Currently in the midst of recording our third cd,we were joined by the graces of Dave Defeis once again on a song called "Council In Hell."In mid 2002 we hooked up with an old friend Steve who I knew from the circuit way back.Steve's band Life In Black and Immortal have done some shows together and plan on more in the near future.The band will return to the reording studio in a few months to record a few new songs and finally finish the upcoming cd "Last Remains."
................................................................As best remembered by Mike!................................................ |
