Hand of Fire

Last updated
Hand of Fire
Origin Concord, California
Genres Thrash metal
Years active2015-present
Labels Rottweiler
MembersJim Settle
Tiago Souza
Gary Neff
Forrest Nelson
Scotty McRib
Past membersCorey Steger
Tom Eaton
Jason Borton
Greg Christian
Marcel Eaton
Bill Davies
Website handoffire.band

Hand of Fire is an American thrash metal band that originated in California. The project was initially formed in 2010 as a collaboration between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath) before evolving into a full band in 2015 under Settle's leadership. After signing with Rottweiler Records in 2016, they released their critically acclaimed debut album Nuclear Sunrise in 2017. The band has undergone several lineup changes throughout their career, notably including brief stints with former Testament bassist Greg Christian and Jungle Rot drummer Jason Borton. As of 2024, the band consists of Jim Settle (vocals), Tiago Souza (lead guitar), Forrest Nelson (rhythm guitar), Scotty McRib (bass, backing vocals), and Gary Neff (drums). Their sound has been characterized as a modern take on thrash metal, drawing influences from both classic and contemporary metal styles. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

Hand of Fire emerged in 2010 as a collaborative project between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath). [3] The duo began writing and recording material, which caught the attention of Rottweiler Records, who offered them a contract. [3] However, geographical constraints led to Steger's departure, prompting Settle to establish an official lineup featuring members from his other project, Bore. [4]

By 2015, Hand of Fire had evolved into a fully-realized vision under Settle's leadership. [1] The band officially signed with Rottweiler Records in May 2016, [5] [6] with a lineup consisting of vocalist Jim Settle, guitarist Tiago Souza, bassist Tom Eaton, and drummer Bill Davies. Their debut album, initially titled Let the Killings Begin, was scheduled for release in December 2016. [7] The band released a lyric video for the title track, [2] [8] and ultimately released their debut album, retitled Nuclear Sunrise, on November 17, 2017, to critical acclaim. [9] [10] [11]

On August 24, 2018, the band premiered their new track "World of Deception" on The Covenant Metal Show through Reanimated Radio. The band underwent significant lineup changes in March 2019, with bassist Tom Eaton and drummer Bill Davies departing, replaced by Greg Christian (ex-Testament) and Jason Borton (Jungle Rot, Kataklysm) respectively. [12] By March 2020, the lineup shifted again, with Davies returning to the band and Marcel Eaton, formerly of Trauma, joining as the new bassist, replacing Borton and Christian. [13] Tragically, founding member Corey Steger passed away in a car accident on March 17, 2021. [14]

Members

Current members
NameInstrumentYearsOther groups
Jim Settlevocals2010–present Tantrum of the Muse, Once Dead, Vengeance Rising, Slag, Bore, Intercessor
Tiago James Souzaguitar2015–presentBore, Perpetual Paranoia, [15] Through the Clouds, Godman, The Thomas Thompson Earth Project
Gary Neffdrums2024-presentShadowkiller, Forced Psychosis, Power Shift, Roswell
Forrest Nelsonrhythm guitar2024-present
Scotty McRibbass, backing vocals2024-presentAlmost Dead, WarTroll, Gurschach, Karmic Debt
Former members [16]
NameInstrumentYearsOther groups
Corey Stegerguitar2010-2015 (died 2021) [14] Underoath, Symmetry Point
Tom Eatonbass2015-2018Bomb and Scary, Something Left Unsaid, Bore
Greg Christian bass2019–2020 Testament, Trauma, HavocHate, Fallen Trinity, Wreck-Defy, Legacy, Meshiaak
Jason Bortondrums2019–2020 Jungle Rot, Kataklysm, Throne of Awful Splendor, Treasonist, Thanatopsis, Where Lovers Rot, Seized of Darkness, Velaraas, Zorakarer, Arkaik, Mortal Plague, Beyond the Red Horizon, Nocturnal Plague, Zero Divide
Marcel Eatonbass2020–2024 Trauma, Discordia, Serpent & Seraph
Bill Daviesdrums2015-2019, 2020–2023Chürchfield, Bore
Timeline
Hand of Fire

Discography

Demo

Studio albums

Singles

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underoath</span> American rock band

Underoath is an American rock band from Tampa, Florida. It was founded by lead vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton in 1997 in Ocala, Florida; subsequently, its additional members were from Tampa, including drummer, clean vocalist and last remaining original member Aaron Gillespie. The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, keyboardist Christopher Dudley, lead guitarist Timothy McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, and lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. Originally, the band identified as a Christian group; they have since distanced themselves from Christianity.

Frost Like Ashes is an American Christian black metal band that formed in Kansas City, Missouri in 2001. The band has released three EPs and a full-length album, Tophet, and their songs have appeared on three compilation albums. Previously signed to Psycho Acoustix Records and currently to Sullen Records, an imprint of Open Grave Records, their music combines elements of black metal, death metal and thrash metal with keyboards and virtuosic vocals notable for "switching between about 10 different extreme styles within a given song." Their lyrics have achieved attention for their harsh output, providing a Christian point of view for the regular themes of black metal music. The band is also controversial for using the typical corpse paint style often associated with the black metal visuals.

<i>Act of Depression</i> 1999 studio album by Underoath

Act of Depression is the debut studio album by American rock band Underoath. Released July 4, 1999, through Takehold Records, the album was out of print for some time as there were only 2,000 copies originally released. Solid State reissued this album alongside Cries of the Past on August 20, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Becoming the Archetype</span> American heavy metal band

Becoming the Archetype is an American heavy metal band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999. They have released six albums on Solid State Records. Dichotomy, which was released in November 2008, sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The CD debuted at No. 18 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the top 100 of the Billboard 200. The band was part of the new wave of American heavy metal. After 2012's I Am, the band went on an indefinite hiatus. In 2022, however, the band reunited with the lineup of Jason Wisdom, Seth Hecox, and Brent “Duck” Duckett.

Tantrum of the Muse was a heavy metal band based out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The band formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2004. The band members refers to their existence as "The Tantrum Reign of Terror".

Once Dead is a Christian metal band that originated in Los Angeles, California. The band has played at Festivals such as Up From The Ashes, Elements of Rock Festival and Nordic Fest.

Few Left Standing is a Christian metal band that primarily played Christian hardcore and was signed to Takehold Records. The band's debut album was produced by Living Sacrifice frontman, Bruce Fitzhugh. The band has toured with Underoath, Narcissus, and Tantrum of the Muse. On December 3, 2019, it was announced that the band would be returning to perform at Furnace Fest 2020, alongside a recently reunited Beloved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Requisite</span> American heavy metal band

Death Requisite is a heavy metal band from Sarasota, Florida. The band describes their style as "blackened symphonic melodic Technical death metal" or simply "extreme hybrid metal". The band has played with Living Sacrifice, Extol, Zao, Norma Jean, and Sleeping Giant. The band is signed to Rottweiler Records.

UnTeachers is a heavy metal band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. The band has released a split EP with Grace & Thieves, and a full-length album, titled, A Human Comedy which debuted No. 10 on Seth Werkheiser's Top 10 of 2014.

Bloodline Severed is a Christian metal band that originated in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The band started in 1998, and has toured with acts such as Battlecross, Aletheian, Phinehas and many more. The band is independent with their own label named Don't Need One Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abated Mass of Flesh</span> American Christian metal band

Abated Mass of Flesh is an American brutal death metal band formed in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 2011. The band consists of vocalist Matthew Plunkett, guitarist Zack Plunkett, bassist Grant Alan and drummer James Atchison. They have been compared to Devourment, Dying Fetus, Impending Doom and Crimson Thorn.

Forfeit Thee Untrue, also known as FTU, is a South African Christian metal band who formed in 2006. Remaining a 2-piece band until late 2011, at which point, lead vocalist/guitarist Gideon joined the band. Following their first studio-recorded track, 'Seven', they were offered a record deal by Sanctus Gladius Records, through which they released their debut EP, Blood Soaked Splinter (2013). After their recording contract lapsed with Sanctus Gladius Records they then signed with Rottweiler Records - their second international record label. Most recently, FTU released their debut full-length album, Cremationem Jesus Lacrimam (2016), through Rottweiler Records.

Becoming Saints is an American metalcore band that originated in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2003.

Flawed by Design is an American metalcore band from Hickory, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taking the Head of Goliath</span> American Christian death metal band

Taking the Head of Goliath was a Christian death metal band that originated in 2015.

Ascending King is an extreme metal band that originated in Midlothian, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Symphony of Heaven</span> American metal band

Symphony of Heaven is a Christian blackened death metal band from Owensville, Indiana, United States. The band began in 2017 as a solo project, but morphed into a full band by 2019, consisting of Logan Thompson (guitars/vocals), David Napier (bass), Eero Tertsunen (guitars), and Mason Beard (drums). The band has released two studio albums, two EPs, and a split release. According to HM Magazine, the band is "one of the best death metal acts to form in the past four years" as of 2021.

Roger Dale Martin, or more commonly known as Roger Dale, is a heavy metal musician who has performed with several acts, including Vengeance Rising and Once Dead.

Shadow Puncher is a death metal project that began in 2016 as a solo project of Max Kevin Ølstøren. The band began as a death metal/black metal project out of Trondheim, Norway, releasing demos with hand-drawn art. The band was signed to Nosral Recordings.

References

  1. 1 2 Pirtle, Dave (May 2016). "5Q5A - Hand of Fire". Lastrit.es. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Stagg, David (October 28, 2016). "HM PREMIERE: Hand of Fire drops new lyric video for "Let the Killings Begin"". HM Magazine . Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Settle, Jim (September 19, 2016). "Interview: Hand of Fire". Interviewed by Mace Beard. The Bearded Dragon. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  4. ↑ Hand of Fire on Facebook
  5. ↑ DarcyRumble (May 18, 2016). "Rottweiler Records Releases Teaser Of New Thrash Signing Hand Of Fire". Giants in the Sound. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  6. ↑ Rottweiler Records (May 13, 2016). "Rottweiler Records announcement". Facebook . Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  7. ↑ Beard, Mason (October 17, 2016). "Rottweiler Records Announce Release Date for Hand of Fire's Let the Killings Begin". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  8. ↑ Beard, Mason (October 28, 2016). "Hand of Fire Dropped "Let the Killings Begin" Lyric Video". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Moore, Bruce (October 5, 2017). "Hand of Fire - "Nuclear Sunrise"". Pure Grain Audio. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Sullivan, Christan (October 2, 2017). "Nuclear Sunrise - Hand Of Fire Review" (PDF). The Metal Resource. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Beard, Mason (November 17, 2017). "Album Review: Hand of Fire - Nuclear Sunrise". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  12. ↑ Sullivan, Christian (March 10, 2019). "Change Of Direction For Hand Of Fire". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  13. ↑ Sullivan, Christian (March 3, 2020). "Hand Of Fire and New Line-Up". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  14. 1 2 Dowd, Rachel (March 19, 2021). "Former Underoath Guitarist Corey Steger Has Died In A Car Accident". Alternative Press . Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  15. ↑ "'Perpetual Paranoia' – An International Collaboration Between 'Dale Thompson' (Bride) & 'Tiago James De Souza' (Hand of Fire)". The Metal Resource. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  16. ↑ Settle, Jim (April 12, 2015). "Jim Settle (Tantrum Of The Muse)". Interviewed by Stephen Sarro and Trav Turner. As the Story Grows. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.