The Obsessed is an American doom metal band from Potomac, Maryland, led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich. Formed in 1979, they recorded a few demos and played a handful of live shows until they first split up in 1986 when Weinrich joined as lead vocalist for Saint Vitus. About two years before his departure from Saint Vitus, Weinrich reformed The Obsessed in 1989, and three studio albums − The Obsessed (1990), Lunar Womb (1991) and The Church Within (1994) − were released before disbanding for the second time in 1995. After reuniting for occasional live shows between 2011 and 2013, the band announced a permanent reunion in March 2016, and has since released two more studio albums: Sacred (2017) and Gilded Sorrow (2024).
Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in Ottawa in 1984 by Jeff Waters. Waters is the band's sole constant member and has acted as its guitarist, bandleader, writer, producer, engineer, and occasional bassist and vocalist. Annihilator has released seventeen studio albums and has undergone many line-up changes, with Waters regularly assembling touring or session musicians to perform with him. Along with Sacrifice, Voivod and Razor, Annihilator is known as one of the "Big Four" of Canadian thrash metal. They are also considered to be part of the "second wave" of thrash metal bands from the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Helstar is an American heavy metal band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1982 by guitarist Larry Barragan. They were an influential force in the American power metal genre emerging in the mid-1980s.
Skrew is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1998, the group announced its return in 2009.
Barry Graham Purkis, more commonly known as Thunderstick, is an English drummer who wore various masks and used to perform on-stage closed in a cage. He was in the cult-band Samson, with whom his name is most associated.
Gang Green is an American punk rock band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty (guitar), Bill Manley (bass) and Mike Dean (drums) started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1983. Doherty reformed Gang Green the following year, and the band experienced numerous lineup changes until its dissolution for the second time in 1992. Doherty has been the band's only constant member and has kept Gang Green active from 2005 onwards. The band was influential in the formation of the East Coast hardcore punk scene, and went on to become one of the forerunners of crossover thrash and speed metal in the late 1980s.
Master's Hammer is a Czech black metal band formed in Prague in 1983. They were active, with several lineup changes, until 1995, and again from 2009 onward. As of 2024, they have released eight studio albums, five demos, one EP, two split albums, one live album, and several compilations.
Shy were a British hard rock band from Birmingham, formed in 1982 under the name "Trojan".
Nasty Savage is an American thrash metal band from Brandon, Florida, formed in 1983 by vocalist "Nasty" Ronnie Galletti. The band has undergone various lineup changes, with Galletti and guitarist David Austin remaining the only constant members, until the latter's departure in 2022.
Fifth Angel is an American heavy metal band from Bellevue, Washington.
Scanner is a German power metal band that was formed in 1986. Three of the band members had previously taken part in an album release by the band Lions Breed, Damn the Night. The band changed its name to Scanner, adopting a science fiction image for their lyrics, album covers and live performances. They released their first album, Hypertrace, in 1988 through Noise Records. They have reformed twice, releasing their latest album on 12 January 2024, The Cosmic Race, via Rock of Angels Records.
Obsession is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982, and noted for spawning the career of singer Michael Vescera. The band first came on to the scene on the Metal Massacre 2 compilation from Metal Blade Records. After that, the band released the EP Marshall Law and the albums Scarred for Life and Methods of Madness under the Enigma label. They broke up in 1989, and reformed in 2004 and then released the album Carnival of Lies in 2006 with Mausoleum Records.
Battle Cry is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Omen, released in 1984 by Metal Blade Records. In 2005, Metal Blade re-released Battle Cry in Picture LP format, limited to 500 copies and including two bonus tracks.
Warning of Danger is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Omen. It was originally released in 1985 by Metal Blade Records. In 1989, Metal Blade re-released the album with the EP Nightmares as bonus tracks.
The Curse is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Omen. It was originally released in 1986 by Metal Blade. In 1996, Metal Blade re-released The Curse with the EP Nightmares as bonus tracks.
Nightmares is the first EP by American heavy metal band Omen. It was originally released in 1987 by Metal Blade. It was later included as bonus tracks on the 1989 re-issue of Warning of Danger and the 1996 re-issue of The Curse.
Escape to Nowhere is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Omen. It was originally released in 1988 via Metal Blade Records.
The Best of Omen: Teeth of the Hydra is a compilation album by American heavy metal band Omen. It was originally released in 1989 by Metal Blade. The album compiles songs from all five Omen albums that had been released by 1989.
Reopening the Gates is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Omen, released in 1997 by Massacre Records. Kenny Powell is the only original Omen member playing on the album, and also the producer of it. The album features a groove metal sound.
Savage Grace is an American power and speed metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by Chris Logue and Brian East, initially active between 1981 and 1993. They reformed in 2009, and subsequently released an EP entitled The Lost Grace. In 2010, they performed at the Up the Hammers, Bang Your Head!!! and Keep It True festivals.
