Skullview

Skullview is a United States, Indiana based power metal band formed in the winter of 1995. They have released three albums since their inception: "Legends of Valor" (1997), "Kings of the Universe" (1999) and "Consequences of Failure" (2001) on the R.I.P. label from Chicago, Illinois. Originally a 4 piece band with guitarist Dean Tavernier handling vocals (performing on the first demo), the owner of R.I.P. Records (Stan Koson) located singer Michael Lewis after seeing him perform with a cover band near Chicago. Thus adding vocalist Lewis, the 5 piece outfit now consisted of Dave Hillegonds (ex-Chronic Black), Dean Tavernier (ex-Prophecies et Sanctus), Peter Clemens (ex-Sea of Tranquillity/Shades of Grey/Invasion), Joseph Garavalia & Mike "Earthquake Quimby" Lewis. The bands first release was recorded at Sheffield Studios in Gary, Indiana and was immediately pressed by the R.I.P. label, garnering favorable reviews from overseas! The 2nd album "Kings of the Universe" saw the band advance in popularity as both Massacre Records (Germany) & Hellion Records (Brazil) pressed independent versions in their subsequent territories. "Consequences of Failure", the 3rd release & last with R.I.P. was hailed as a sonic assault with the fury of distortion. Iron Bonehead Productions (Germany) was impressed enough with the release that a resulting double lp version was pressed to vinyl. Between 2003 & 2004 problems with Mike Lewis sent him packing and a replacement was sought to fill his shoes. In 2005 "Earthquake Quimby" Lewis was finally replaced by Eric "The Power" Flowers and the band forged ahead, showcasing the new vocalist with the release of a cd demo & an appearance at the KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL [http://www.keep-it-true.de/] (K.I.T) in Germany that November. Upon returning home the band was put on hiatus and all tracking for the forthcoming album "Privilege of Suffering" had been put on hold. It is rumoured the band has been planning on recording their 4th album in 2009 with "Earthquake Quimby" returning to the vocal realm but no confirmation has been given by any band members.

Biography

The year was 1995, a time when trends were making mockery of a once thriving but now suffering United States heavy metal music scene. But on the southern shores of the mighty lake Michigan amidst the haze and pollution of the Indiana steel mills, coke ovens and blast furnaces, one band was plotting a heavy metal assault that would bring heavy metal back to its purest form. Force! Power! Aggression! - this was the goal and the band SKULLVIEW had began its attack.

Formed by drummer Joe Garavalia and guitarist Dean Tavernier, SKULLVIEW set out to play some heavy metal. No genres, no definitive musical style, simply hard, driving, headbanging metal! Garavalia and Tavernier armed SKULLVIEW with the weapons needed to make SKULLVIEW an unstoppable force. Guitarist Dave Hillegonds along with Peter Clemens on blower bass smash like a metallic battering ram to create a wall of electric sonic menace while 'Earthquake' Quimby Lewis explodes eardrums with a vocal style that harkens back to the days when the likes of Halford and Dickinson were running the show.

After releasing their debut demo simply entitled, Chicago based R.I.P. Records sent SKULLVIEW into Sheffield Studios to record their debut full length album 'Legends of Valor' in 1997. .and soon after SKULLVIEW was hailed worldwide as the next American heavy metal savior to rise up and show people simply what heavy metal is about.

With their 2nd release in 1999, 'Kings Of The Universe', SKULLVIEW gained a reputation as a band that smashes you in the face without regard for safety. 'Kings Of The Universe' proved to the naysayers that Skullview was a band of which to take notice.

In 2001, 'Consequences Of Failure', SKULLVIEW'S 3rd release, once again proved that SKULLVIEW mean business and will undoubtedly sit upon the throne of American metal grandeur. However, problems with singer "Earthquake Quimby" forced a permanent change in 2004. Thus the emergence of the bands new singer Eric "The Power" Flowers who has since recorded several demos for the band.

Discography

1997 - (3 song) Demo w. Dean Tavernier/vocals

1997 - (3 song) Demo w. Mike "Earthquake" Lewis/vocals

1997 - Legends of Valor

1999 - Kings of the Universe

2001 - Consequences of Failure

2004 - (3 song) Demo w. Eric Flowers/vocals

Compilations

2000 - Metal Merchant: Cheap, Hard & Heavy Vol. 7

Vinyl Releases

2000 - Split Vinyl w. Drizzit (limited release) featuring "Hand of Zeus"

2002 - Consequences of Failure - 2 LP - Iron Bonehead Productions