Skull Fist

Skull Fist are a Canadian heavy metal band formed in Toronto, Ontario.

Skull Fist
Skull Fist at Wacken Open Air 2017
Background information
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2006–present
LabelsNoise Art Records
MembersJohnny Nesta
Casey Guest
JJ Tartaglia
Zach Slaughter

History

Formation, Heavier Than Metal & Head of the Pack 2006-2010

Skull Fist was founded in 2006 by guitarist/singer Zach Slaughter in Toronto. The band released a two-song demo in 2006 titled No False Metal which included the tracks "Ride The Beast" and "No False Metal". The band has seen many line-up changes with many different musicians stepping in for a few weeks at a time from 2006 to 2010 leaving Slaughter the sole consistent member and many musicians coming and going on a regular basis. Slaughter released the Heavier than Metal E.P. with "Alison Thunderland" on Drums and "Sir Shred" on 2nd guitar in 2010 to a very positive review in the metal community and later signed to Noise Art Records shortly after. For the E.P. release, the band completed 2 tours across Canada, the Metal Assault festival in Europe along with a tour in January 2011 through Europe. Afterwards Up the Hammers Festival in Greece and a tour with Bullet and Enforcer in April 2011. Alison and Shred left the band due to personal conflicts. Casey Slade had joined the band shortly after the E.P. was recorded who had actually replaced Jonny Nesta who was filling in on bass until Slaughter settled on a permanent member. Of course Nesta had now joined Skull Fist on Guitar which saw the release of the first Skull Fist Album Head of the Pack album with Casey Slade and Jonny Nesta. It was released 26 August 2011 and was the beginning of the band's career in Music.[2] After the release of the album Jake Purchase was added to the band and another Canada tour was done along with the power of metal tour with Sabaton and Grave Digger.[3] The album has received great reviews across the globe[4] which led them to another European tour with Grand Magus, Bullet, Steel wing and Vanderbuyst.[5] The summer of 2012 saw the band sharing the stage with Megadeth, W.A.S.P., and Uriah Heep for The Rock the Nation touring festival event "Metal Fest 2012.". Jake Purchase Left and was replaced with Chris Steve. This was followed by a tour in Japan with Solitude and featured a gig with legendary black/thrash act Sabbat, Another Canadian tour and a tour through Brazil. The release of the second album for 2013 was postponed by a lack of funding and then postponed yet again after Slaughter broke his neck and other bones in a skateboarding accident.

Chasing The Dream 2014–2015

The band's second LP titled Chasing the Dream was released in January 2014. In a 2013 interview front man Jackie Slaughter explained the 3-year gap between the debut and its follow up:

"Money doesn't grow on trees apparently. We didn't have enough moula when we originally planned to record, so we pushed it back 2 months and then one month later I selfishly decided to break my neck skateboarding which put us out for another 2 months."[6]

At the beginning of the 2014 the band stated their European Tour with 30 dates over 14 countries.[7] After the European gigs the band gave 9 concerts in Mexico.[8] Between these dates they appeared at some festivals as well and completed a South American, US, and Canadian tour along with the other dates. The album was nominated for a Juno award in Canada and had seen the band's popularity increase.

The band's line-up was initially unstable but since 2011 has featured founder Jackie Slaughter, guitarist Jonny Nesta and bassist Casey Slade. This line-up has featured on both of the band's studio albums (albeit with different drummers).[9]

Way of the Road (2015–present)

On 30 June 2015, Zach Slaughter left the band for approximately four months until returning. The band's latest album was released on October 26, 2018 and was titled Way of the road. Skull Fist is also featured in the soundtrack of Horror/Comedy New Zealand film, Deathgasm.

Musical style

Skull Fist are considered to be an important part of the new wave of traditional heavy metal (NWOTHM) an ongoing movement that in recent years has seen the return of traditional sounding metal bands (similar to the Swedish glam metal revival) the name is taken from the new wave of British heavy metal in which the movement strongly identifies with. Other bands considered part of the movement include White Wizzard, Enforcer, Cauldron, Grand Magus, Striker, Holy Grail.

Members
  • Zach Slaughter – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2006–2015, 2015–present)
  • Casey Slade – bass, backing vocals (2011–present)
  • Jonny Nesta – lead guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
  • JJ Tartaglia – drums (2014–present)

Former notable members
  • Sir Shred – lead guitar (2006, 2010–2011)
  • Alison Thunderland – drums (2009–2011)
  • Chris Steve – drums (2013–2014)

Timeline

Discography
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See also
  • Traditional Metal

References
  1. Huizenga, Tom; Tsioulcas, Anastasia; Powers, Ann; McCartney, Kelly; Hart, Otis; Thompson, Stephen; Hilton, Robin; Ganz, Jacob; Gotrich, Lars; Fitzgerald, Kiana; King, Jason; Kelley, Frannie; Contreras, Felix; Jarenwattananon, Patrick; Garsd, Jasmine; Dye, David; Carter, Bobby; Boilen, Bob; Katzif, Mike. "NPR Music's Favorite Songs Of 2014". National Public Radio. National Public Radio. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  2. Darkness, Reflections Of. "Interview_Skull_Fist_Dec_2011". Interview: Skull Fist – December 2011. Reflections of Darkness. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  3. Mouth, Blabber. "Blabbermouth_Tour_Announcement". SABATON, GRAVE DIGGER, POWERWOLF, SKULL FIST To Team Up For 'Power of Metal Tour II' – Apr. 27, 2011. Blabbermouth. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  4. "HOTP_Review_2011". Head of the Pack Album Review. Bounded By Metal. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  5. G, Evil. "Skull_Fist_2012_Tour". SKULL FIST on tour with Grand Magus, Bullet, Steelwing and Vanderbuyst in Jan/Feb 2012. Metal Rules.com. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  6. "Slaughter_Interview_Uberrock_2013". Uberrock. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  7. http://www.setlist.fm/search?query=tour:%28European+Tour+2014%29&artist=2bd508f6
  8. http://www.setlist.fm/search?query=tour:%28Mezcal+of+the+Wild+Tour%29&artist=2bd508f6
  9. "Bio and chasing the dream review". the escapist. Retrieved 19 May 2014.

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