Razor (band)

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Razor
Razor 14 (29083912276).jpg
Razor performing in 2016
Background information
Origin Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active1983–1992, 1996–present
LabelsVoice, Viper, Steamhammer, Fringe Product, Hypnotic
MembersDave Carlo
Bob Reid
Mike Campagnolo
Rider Johnson
Past membersJohn Scheffel
Stace "Sheepdog" McLaren
Mike "M-Bro" Embro
Rich Oosterbosch
Jon Armstrong
Adam Carlo
Rob Mills
Website razorband.com

Razor is a Canadian thrash metal band formed in 1983 at Guelph, Ontario. They are also recognized as the pioneers of Canadian thrash metal and have been referred to as one of the country's "Big Four", alongside Sacrifice, Voivod and Annihilator. [1]

Contents

History

Early years and split (1983–1992)

Razor was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Carlo. A secondary member named John Scheffel was in the band at the time as the vocalist and guitarist, but left in 1984. After failed efforts with two other vocalists, Carlo would eventually establish a line-up featuring vocalist Stace "Sheepdog" McLaren, bassist Mike Campagnolo and drummer Mike "M-Bro" Embro. The founding members, the guitarist and rhythm section, were former school-mates. [2] A 5-track demo was recorded in 1984 prior to the release of the Armed & Dangerous EP in May 1984 by Voice Records, which received underground acclaim. A pre-production demo album titled Escape the Fire was then recorded in December 1984, which would become the first full-length album Executioner's Song , released in April 1985 through Viper Records. It was followed up by Evil Invaders in October 1985. Razor performed in the United States and Canada with Slayer, Motörhead and Venom.

The third album Malicious Intent was released in April 1986. It suffered due to the build-up of internal conflicts within the band and the lack of an official release in the United States, which in turn led to the band deciding to request an outright release from Viper/Attic Records. Thus, in January 1987 the band’s request was granted and Razor were released from their contract. Now free to pursue a new agreement and direction, in July 1987 the fourth album Custom Killing was released. Self-financed, the album met with poor commercial success and was in turn overlooked by fans, with the music moving to a more experimental, progressive approach than previous releases. Drummer Mike Embro and bassist Mike Campagnolo left the band shortly after the album's release and were quickly replaced with Dave Carlo's brother Adam on bass and Rob Mills on drums. Razor returned to their roots with the fifth album Violent Restitution , which was released in 1988 by Steamhammer. It was well-received, being considered more aggressive and heavier than its predecessor. To date, it remains the band’s most commercially successful release.

Vocalist Stace McLaren's interest in the band declined which eventually led to his departure. He was replaced with London Ontario vocalist Bob Reid, whose band SFH had been opening shows for Razor in early 1988. The band then signed with Fringe Product and released Shotgun Justice in March 1990. They headlined smaller venues, performing with Sacrifice and Disciples of Power. Prior to the recording of the next album, drummer Rob Mills was involved in an accident which made him unable to perform. Around that same time, Adam Carlo left the band and was replaced with SFH bassist Jon Armstrong. The next album Open Hostility was released in 1991. Due to Mills' injury and inability to perform on the album, Dave Carlo used a drum machine to replicate his style. Mills later returned and Razor embarked on a tour in support of the album leading up to their final performance on October 2, 1992. Following the tour, Dave Carlo, feeling that musical tastes had changed and that Razor had run its course, decided to retire and the band split-up. In 1994, a career retrospective compilation called Exhumed was issued by Fringe Product. [3]

Reformation and recent years (1996–present)

Razor live in Toronto, 2009 Razor live in Toronto, 2009.jpg
Razor live in Toronto, 2009

In 1996, Razor became active again as a result of vocalist Bob Reid's idea of reforming the band. Both Reid and Carlo were joined by Armstrong and SFH drummer Rich Oosterbosch. The eighth studio album Decibels was released in 1997 by Hypnotic Records. Armstrong and Oosterbosch would no longer be in the band and was replaced by returning members Rob Mills and Adam Carlo (before being replaced by Mike Campagnolo).

Razor took part on The Gates of Hell tour in 2005, the Headbangers Open Air Festival in 2009 and the True Thrash Festival in Osaka in 2011. A DVD of this performance was released only in Japan in February 2012.

On April 19, 2012, Carlo was diagnosed with Stage 2 oral cancer, [4] but was successfully treated and resumed his guitar duties in 2015. The band performed at a charity event in 2014, the Maryland Deathfest in 2015 [5] and the California Deathfest in 2016. [6]

In 2014, drummer Rob Mills left the band and was replaced with Ripp'rd drummer Rider Johnson.

The ninth studio album Cycle of Contempt was released on September 23, 2022, marking the first album in 25 years. [7] [8] [9]

Members

Timeline

Razor (band)

Discography

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Evil Invaders is the second album released in 1985 by Canadian speed/thrash metal band Razor. The album's art, depicting an evil cyborg of living tissue over a metal endoskeleton, is reminiscent of the title character from the science fiction action film The Terminator, released one year prior. A music video was made for the track "Evil Invaders".

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Open Hostility is the seventh studio album by Canadian speed/thrash metal band Razor, released in 1991 by Fringe Product. Drummer Rob Mills was unable to participate on the album due to injuries sustained in an accident, so his parts were performed by guitarist Dave Carlo using a drum machine. Mills later returned for the filming of the "Sucker for Punishment" music video. Open Hostility is dedicated to the memory of Ray “Black Metal” Wallace.

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<i>Decibels</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Razor

Decibels is the eighth studio album by Canadian speed/thrash metal band Razor. This was the band's first album since 1991's Open Hostility and since their split in 1992, as well as the only album to feature drummer Rich Oosterbosch and the last with bassist Jon Armstrong.

References

  1. ↑ "13 Canadian Metal Albums Everyone Should Own". Kerrang!. May 2, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Razor biography". metallian.com. August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Razor history". metallian.com. August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ "RAZOR Guitarist Diagnosed With Oral Cancer". Blabbermouth.net . June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  5. ↑ Kelly, Kim (May 26, 2015). "Maryland Deathfest 2015: Classic Thrash, Norwegian Black Metal, and One Hell of a Bangover". Vice . Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ Sperry-Fromm, Rob. "California Deathfest 2016 lineup". Brooklyn Vegan . Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Razor - Completing First Album In Almost 25 Years". Metal Storm. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  8. ↑ "RAZOR - New Album Title, Tracklisting Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  9. ↑ "RAZOR Announces First New Album In 25 Years, 'Cycle Of Contempt'". Blabbermouth.net . August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
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