If you were lucky enough to grow up with the birth of American heavy metal, you undoubtedly remember what a special time it was.
Great bands were everywhere. Metallica. Slayer. Testament. Exodus. Death Angel. And the list goes on.
Notice a theme here? All of the said bands are still relatively at their respective games.
Percolating just below those giants were the bands that comprised the heart, soul and spirit of the scene. Among them was Liege Lord, the preeminent Connecticut power metal band that recorded three ground-breaking albums before drifting apart.
Good things come to those who wait. Twenty-five years after the release of “Master Control,” the final — and some would argue best — album, Liege Lord has reunited around the songwriting core of bassist Matt Vinci, guitarist Joe Comeau and guitarist Anthony Truglio. Liege Lord is scheduled to headline the Keep it True festival in Germany in April and record new music by year’s end.
Liege Lord formed in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1984 around the high school friendship of Vinci and Truglio, and the latter’s drumming cousin Frank Cortese. Originally called Deceiver (named after the classic Judas Priest song), the band became Liege Lord — which originally also included singer Andy Michaud and drummer Pete McCarthy — when it began writing its own material.
Local gigs begot regional gigs and by 1985 the band had recorded the pioneering power metal album “Freedom’s Rise.” Marked by break-neck and intricate riffing — with Vinci being every part of that guitar attack — it marked the arrival of a band destined for more. The following saw Paul Nelson replacing McCarthy and the group unveiling the slightly more progressive-leaning “Burn to My Touch,” produced by Blue Oyster Cult’s Joe Bouchard and released by Metal Blade Records. With this album Liege Lord became mainstays at tri-state area venues, sharing stages with Hades, Overkill, Anthrax, Raven and Carnivore.
By 1988 a shake-up was in order. Comeau, a Rochester, N.Y., native gave the band that push it needed. A power metal singer in the style of Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson yet with the angst of an overdriven Rob Halford, he proved an extremely logical fit. “Master Control,” produced by Terry Date before he was a go-to producer, was the group’s high water mark. It was also its swan song.
Until now.
With heavy metal undoubtedly more popular than ever, “Master Control” celebrating its 25th anniversary and the key players game, a Liege Lord reunion is very well-timed. Truglio and Comeau never left music. Truglio has established himself as one of Connecticut’s finest guitarist, as adept in jazz and blues as blistering metal. He has logged serious time in project’s with Helmet’s Page Hamilton. Comeau has lent his singing and guitar talents to Ramrod, Overkill, Annihilator and Tad Morose among others. Vinci became a professional photographer.
New to the Liege Lord 2013 roster are guitarist Danny Wacker, who has played with Atlantic Records artist New Blood Revival and in Baptized By Fire, with Dee Snider’s son Jesse Blaze. Drummer Frank Gilchriest comes from a serious metal pedigree, having been a member of Virgin Steele and Riot.

– Ray Hogan

OSTROGOTH is an old school heavy metal band, based in Ghent, Belgium. The band writes, records and plays their own music since the early ‘80s. Influenced by classic bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, MSG and Scorpions, Ostrogoth strives to write high quality and harmonic melodies, combined with pounding drums and groovy bass-lines.

Q5 was formed in 1983, from members of two popular Seattle bands; vocalist Jonathan K and guitarist (famous guitar tremolo inventor) Floyd Rose from “The C.O.R.E.”, and Rick Pierce (guitar), Evan Sheeley (Bass) and Gary Thompson (drums) from “TKO”.
The band released its first album, “STEEL THE LIGHT” (MUSIC FOR NATIONS) in 1984, receiving immediate worldwide critical acclaim, and landing them touring spots with TWISTED SISTER, Y&T and LITA FORD… The success of “STEEL THE LIGHT” led them to eventually sign with Polygram/Squawk for their 1985 sophomore release “WHEN THE MIRROR CRACKS”.
Due to personal differences, the original lineup dissolved shortly after this release.
In 1991, Jonathan K and Rick Pierce released a new project called “NIGHTSHADE” with its first album titled “DEAD OF NIGHT” (Music For Nations), with drummer Jeffrey McCormack and bassist Anthony Magnelli. This album was partially comprised of material that was to be the third Q5 cd, and it too received worldwide critical acclaim.
Nightshade would release 2 additional cds over the next decade with multiple lineups, and would perform alongside many national and international acts.
In 2009, when Nightshade was slated to perform at the “Headbanger’s Open Air” Festival (Germany), with Evan Sheeley now on bass, the promoters asked if they would perform a second set as “Q5”, to which they agreed. The fan response was overwhelming!
In 2014, Q5 was asked to perform at Sweden Rock, a performance that the band had agreed would be a “one off” show, but at the completion of the performance, it was obvious that this was not an ending, but merely a beginning.
Upon returning to Seattle, The band secured drummer Jeffrey McCormack (Former Heir Apparent, Fifth Angel) again, and guitarist Kendall Bechtel (former Fifth Angel) and began rehearsing formally as “Q5”.
The band’s relaunch debuted at the “Rock You To Hell Festival” in Athens, Greece followed by a headlining performance in Cyprus. The band then returned to Seattle to begin work on music for a new cd.
Kendall Bechtel, however, was unable to stay with the band due to personal reasons, so the band secured guitar virtuoso Dennis Turner to complete the lineup.
“STEEL THE LIGHT” continues to grow in popularity all over the world. Critics are still touting the album as a “classic” and a “must have in any metalhead’s collection”. Bands such as Great White, Wolf and October 31 and many others have covered songs from the album on their own releases, and fans are writing from all corners of the globe, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Q5 story…
That chapter begins NOW!
With an official lineup in tact, and a new cd slated for release in 2015, Q5 is poised to take its rightful place again in the hard rock / heavy metal heirarchy!

Salem’s Wych formed in January 1983. Along with Metallica, Slayer, Helstar, Anthrax and Megadeth, Salem’s Wych helped to define the U.S. 80’s Heavy Metal Scene.

The band released the Metal Cult Classic Betrayer of Kings in 1986. The band disbanded in 1988 and reformed in 2000.

Salem’s Wych new album ‘Through All Eternity’ is slated for a 2005 release.

DANTESCO –PUERTO RICO
EPIC DOOM METAL

VATICAN is an American metal band from Cleveland Ohio. Previous works include Power Is Obsession, Answer To The Master, and High Speed On Ice ( Live ).

In the year of 1995, when metal was being viciously suffocated by an almost supernaturally lame mainstream pop culture, TWISTED TOWER DIRE was born. Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Candlemass…these were the teachers. After releasing two cult demo cassettes, several split EPs and contributing to various sampler CD’s to critical acclaim, the band began a partnership with long time fan an…d Solstice mainman/guitarist Rich Walker. He had recently begun a new label called The Miskatonic Foundation and offered to support the recording and distribution of the first TWISTED TOWER DIRE album.

The band unleashed their self produced, full-length debut in 1999. Despite a modest budget, “The Curse of Twisted Tower” won over many dedicated fans that appreciated TWISTED TOWER DIRE’s traditional yet unique sound. From 1999 to 2000, the band embarked on a relentless, self-financed world tour in support of “Curse” including several American festival appearances. A European stretch of the tour with fellow heathens Slough Feg and Solstice followed, including several club dates and the Wacken Open Air Festival, where the band had to perform directly after Venom’s headlining set!

In 2001, TWISTED TOWER DIRE released the critically acclaimed “Isle of Hydra” (produced by Kevin 131 & TTD) on The Miskatonic Foundation and Hellion Records. The album featured tighter songwriting and improved production, but still retained a certain underground feel. In support, they played shows in North America’s Mid Atlantic Region and beyond, including more festival dates. In July 2002, TWISTED TOWER DIRE returned to Deutschland, once again with the mighty Slough Feg, to continue their assault on clubs and festivals, including a headlining appearance at the Headbanger’s Open Air Festival.

In September of that same year, TWISTED TOWER DIRE signed to Germany’s Remedy Records. Their third release “Crest of the Martyrs” (produced by Piet Sielck & TTD) was unleashed upon the masses on May 26th, 2003. “Crest” had the distinguished honor of being named one of Terrorizer Magazine’s Top 20 Power Metal Albums of All Time (Issue 137, Nov. 2005). This release was accompanied by another European invasion with festival gigs at the Metal Bash Open Air Festival and their second appearance at the Wacken Open Air Festival. “Crest” was also the first TWISTED TOWER DIRE album to be officially released in Japan (Spiritual Beast) and the USA (Magick/Cleopatra).

Between 2004 and 2006, the members of TWISTED TOWER DIRE all went through some heavy personal times. The band kept moving forward despite the setbacks, playing shows across the US, including the first Alehorn of Power Festival (Chicago) in June 2006, and working on the aptly named fourth album “Netherworlds”. In September 2006, lead vocalist of nine years, Tony Taylor left the band after a long battle with depression. Once it was decided that Tony’s departure was permanent, TWISTED TOWER DIRE welcomed Viper (NC) vocalist Johnny Aune as their new singer, reinvigorating the spirit of the band making an appearance at Germany’s Keep it True Festival.

Tragically, the world lost ex singer Tony Taylor to a fatal motorcycle accident in February 2010.

TWISTED TOWER DIRE have gone through countless trials and changes, but the purpose has remained the same from early basement practices to today’s basement practices. The “Tower Brethren” continue to play their guts out for the legacy of Classic Heavy Metal with their latest album “Make it Dark” in 2011 and their headbangmania live shows. The band appreciates the support of their dedicated friends and fans around the world and hopes to soon see YOU in front of the stage banging thy head!

Current Line up:
Jonny Aune – Vocals
Scott Waldrop – Guitar
Dave Boyd – Guitar
Jim Hunter – Bass
Marc Stauffer – Drums