Onslaught (band)

Onslaught
Origin	Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Genres	Thrash metal, speed metal
Years active	1983–1991 2004–present
Labels	Candlelight London Under One Flag Children of the Revolution
Associated acts	Grim Reaper, Mirror Mirror
Website	Official site
Members
Sy Keeler Nige Rockett Andy Rosser-Davies Jeff Williams Steve Grice
Past members
Jase Pope Paul Hill Roge Davis Paul Davis Paul Mahoney Jase Stallard Steve Grimmett Rob Trotman Tony O'Hora James Hinder Alan Jordan

Onslaught are an English thrash metal band from Bristol, England. Initially active from 1983 to 1991, they reformed in 2004. The band initially drew influence from the second wave punk rock bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal sound.

History

Origins

Onslaught were formed in 1982/83 in Bristol, England by guitarist Nige Rockett. vocalist Jase Pope and Bassist Paul Hill and soon after to be joined by drummer Steve Grice. a demo was recorded and released later that year by this line up.

Jase Pope and Paul Hill were soon to be replaced by Roge Davies and Paul Davis respectively. The subsequent line-up recorded an EP, What Lies Ahead, in 1983.

Power from Hell

In 1984, Paul Mahoney and Jase Stallard replaced Roge Davies and Paul Davis respectively. The band started to write more heavy metal-oriented songs than their original punk sound. This was mainly influenced by the early releases of thrash metal bands, albeit with a darker sound. The band signed to Children of the Revolution Records, and the band released their debut album, Power From Hell, in 1985 as a result. As with other metal bands of the time, the lyrics were often Satanic, and the now iconic cover showed a demon emerging from a pentagram.

The Force

In late 1985, Sy Keeler joined the band, who assumed the duty of members of Paul Mahoney. Mahoney retained his place in the band, but He took over bass duties from Jase Stallard, who in turn assumed the role of rhythm guitarist, giving the band a second guitarist. During the first months of 1986, the new line is ready to record their second album, The Force, in a recording studio in London. The album was released in the spring of that year through the label Under One Flag. The album was much more successful than Power From Hell, and is considered a classic by many critics and fanzines. Paul Mahoney, citing personal reasons, left the band later in 1986 and was replaced by James Hinder.

In Search of Sanity

Onslaught's policy of the sacking of band members changed in 1987. Jase Stallard's guitar playing came into question, so the band dismissed him and replaced him with Rob Trotman. Using this line up, they set out to write material for a third studio album. Having drawn the attention of London Records, the label signed the band. In mid 1988, the band began to start recording In Search of Sanity, their third album. Upon hearing the album, the record label felt that a more versatile vocalist was needed to do the music more justice. Although the band felt that Sy Keeler's vocals on the demo recording had the right sound, the production had a more polished sound- hence the need for a more polished vocalist. Steve Grimmett, formerly of N.W.O.B.H.M. act Grim Reaper, was drafted in to replace the departing Sy Keeler. Owing to this development, the release of the album was delayed until the summer of 1989. Following the success of The Force, and with an accomplished new singer, there was much pre-release publicity. In Search of Sanity had a much different sound than previous Onslaught releases, and many hardcore thrash metal fans were disappointed, and this partially contributed to the band's demise.

Break-up

In early 1990, Steve Grimmett decided to leave the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Tony O'Hora. The band then set out to write and then record a fourth album. London Records decided not to renew their contract with Onslaught, leaving the band without a record deal. Although the band tried to secure a deal, nothing came to light and they decided to disband in early 1991.

Reunion

In 2004, the band reformed with the line up of Sy Keeler, Nige Rockett, James Hinder and Steve Grice. They were joined by a Welsh guitarist Alan Jordan. Writing for the band's fourth album, Killing Peace, began in 2005, and was released in early 2007.

James Hinder left the band later in 2007 and Alan Jordan left in 2008. They were replaced by Jeff Williams and Andy Rosser-Davies respectively.

In November 2008 the band recorded their live performance at the Damnation Festival in Leeds resulting in a Dual disc live album "Live Damnation" released in August 2009 by Candlelight records.

In June 2010 the band signed to the German metal label AFM records to release their 5th studio album, Sounds Of Violence, released January 28, 2011.

On 25 March 2011 Steve Grice issues a statement standing down from the band. Michael Hourihan (ex-Extreme Noise Terror / Desecration) to sit behind the drums for the forth coming tour.

Members

Current members

• Sy Keeler - vocals (1985–1988, 2005–present)
• Andy Rosser-Davies - guitar (2008–present)
• Jeff Williams - bass guitar|bass (2006–present)
• Nige Rockett - guitar (1983–1991, 2005–present)
• Mike Hourihan - Drums (2011 - present)

Former members

• Jase Pope - vocals (1983)
• Paul Hill - bass (1983)
• Roge Davies - vocals (1983–1984)
• Paul Davis - bass (1983–1984)
• Paul Mahoney - vocals (1984–1985), bass (1985–1986)
• Jase Stallard - bass (1984–1985), guitar (1985–1987)
• James Hinder - bass (1986–1991, 2005–2006)
• Rob Trotman - guitar (1987–1991)
• Steve Grimmett - vocals (1988–1990)
• Tony O'Hora - vocals (1990–1991)
• Alan Jordan - guitar (2005–2008)
• Steve Grice - drums (1983–1991, 2005–2011)
• Richie Kittle - drums

Discography

Studio albums

• Power From Hell (1985)
• The Force (1986)
• In Search of Sanity (1989)
• Killing Peace (2007)
• Sounds Of Violence (2011)

Compilation albums

• Shadow of Death (2008) (Compilation of early demos)

Singles

• "Let There Be Rock" (1987) (AC/DC cover) originally released on Music For Nations.
• "Let There Be Rock" (1989) (AC/DC cover) re-recorded and released on London records.
• "Welcome to Dying" (1989) London records.
• "Shellshock" (1989) London records
• "Bomber (Motorhead cover)/ The Sound Of Violence" (17th Dec 2010) Bomber features Phil Campbell from Motorhead on guitar and Tom Angelripper from German thrashers Sodom on vocals. The Sound Of Violence is taken from the AFM album Sounds Of Violence.

Live albums

• Live Damnation (2009)

External links

• Official website
• Onslaught on Myspace
• Onslaught at Allmusic
• Onslaught Street Team on Myspace