Outworld (band)

:other uses|Outworld (disambiguation)Infobox musical artist
Name = Outworld

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Img_capt = (L-R) - Bobby Williamson, Kelly Carpenter, Matt Mckenna, Rusty Cooley, Shawn Kascak
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Houston, Texas, USA
Genre = Progressive metal
Heavy metal
Years_active = 1997−present
Label = Replica
URL = [http://www.outworldband.com www.outworldband.com]
Current_members = Matt Mckenna
Rusty Cooley
Shawn Kascak
Past_members = Kelly Carpenter
Darren Davis
Brent Marches
Bobby Williamson
Carlos Zema

Outworld is a progressive metal band that was formed in 1997 by guitarist Rusty Cooley. Their name is allegedly taken from the fictional Outworld realm of the "Mortal Kombat" video games.

History

The original line-up of the band was keyboardist Bobby Williamson, guitarist Rusty Cooley, drummer Darren Davis, bassist Brent Marches. They set out to make instrumental music but soon after decided they wanted to also have vocals and added Kelly Carpenter. [http://www.rustycooley.com/bio.html]

They worked on two bonus tracks for Rusty Cooley's solo instrumental album, which was released in January 2003. Outworld signed a management deal with the Danish Label Intromental Records in mid-2003. Later in 2003 Outworld added Shawn Kascak as bassist and Matt Mckenna as drummer, replacing Marches and Davis. Kelly Carpenter decided to join Danish metal band Beyond Twilight in late 2004 but remained with Outworld until they added Carlos Zema as singer in fall 2006.

In December 2004, Outworld signed with Replica Records and recorded their first album, which was released November 13, 2006. [http://www.outworldband.com/bio O U T W O R L D ' S - O F F I C I A L - W E B S I T E ] ]

In August 2007, Outworld won the Famecast Fenom Contest in the metal category, having been voted #1 in all six rounds of voting. [ [http://www.famecast.com/contest/webcast.php?stage_id=12&round_id=91&sort_by=1&sort=1 FAMECAST - Contest Format ] ]

On March 12, 2008, The band announced founding member and keyboardist Bobby Williamson, and vocalist Carlos Zema leaving the band. They will be searching now for a new singer as well as a second guitarist instead of a keyboardist for a heavier sound on the new record.

ound, style and influences

Outworld is empirically a progressive metal band, though they often blend many different styles. They could easily be defined as power metal and neo-classical metal. Their writing has been influenced by bands such as Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Symphony X, while their overall sound has been influenced by the likes of Meshuggah and Nevermore. [ [http://www.rustycooley.com/articles/interview_Virtuosityone_3-2004.htm Virtuosityone.com interview with Rusty Cooley! ] ]

Band line-up

Current members

* Rusty Cooley − Guitar
* Shawn Kascak − Bass
* Matt Mckenna − Drums

Former members

* Kelly Carpenter − Vocals (2002-2006)
* Carlos Zema − Vocals (2006-2008)
* Darren Davis − Drums (1997-2003)
* Brent Marches − Bass (1997-2003)
* Bobby Williamson − Keyboard (1997-2008)
* Stephen Vance − Drums
* Mikey Lewis − Drums
* Shane Dubose − Bass
* Jeff Huerta − Drums

Discography

* "Demo" (2004)
* "Outworld" (2006)

References

External links

* [http://www.outworldband.com/ Outworld official site]
* [http://www.replicarec.com/artists/outworld.html Outworld page] at Replica Records
* [http://www.myspace.com/outworld Official Outworld] at MySpace