Toxik

Toxik is an American thrash metal band originally from Peekskill, New York. Initially active from 1985 to 1992, in 2013 it was announced that Toxik would reform again and start work on its third album In Humanity. Toxik has gone through several lineup changes over the years, leaving guitarist Josh Christian as the only constant member.

This article is about the musical group. For the compositing software by Autodesk, see Autodesk Media and Entertainment § Toxik.
Toxik
OriginPeekskill, New York, United States
GenresThrash metal[1]
Years active
  • 1985–1992
  • 2007
  • 2013–present
Labels
Associated acts
WebsiteOfficial Website
MembersJosh Christian
Jim D'Maria
Shane Boulos
Ron Iglesias
Past membersJohn Donnelly
Lee Erwin
Brian Bonini
Sal Dadabo
Tad Leger
Lou Caldarola
Jason Bittner
Mike Sanders
Bill Bodily

Biography

Initial formation (1985–1987)

Toxik was formed in 1985 by Joshua Christian and Lee Erwin under the name "Tokyo". The band was forced to change its name due to the threat of legal action from a band who had already registered the name. The band's original four-piece lineup which, because it occurred before the name change, was known as the Tokyo line up, consisted of Michael Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Lee Erwin (bass) and Sal Dadabo (drums).[2] However, the line up did not remain stable, plaguing the band with line-up changes into the following year. During the same year, the band's original bassist, Lee Erwin, left Toxik citing personal reasons, to be replaced by Brian Bonini. Additionally, Sal Dadabo, the band's original drummer, was offered a touring contract with Twisted Sister and left Toxik to be replaced by Tad Leger.[2] These new changes would become the band's new line-up.[3]

World Circus (1987–1988)

In 1987, Toxik signed onto Roadrunner Records (previously titled "Roadracer Productions" at the time of signing), debuting their first full-length album, World Circus. The release of the album saw one of the first introductions to the, "progressive thrash metal" genre, charting on College Music Journal's "Best New Metal Album of the Year" for 1987 and were offered a number nine slot on the Metal Blade Records "Metal Massacre" series with the song, "Wasteland".[2] After touring, World Circus, vocalist Mike Sanders left Toxik for unknown reasons, to be replaced by Charlie Sabin.[2]

Think This and disbandment (1989–1992)

Following the received attention for the release of their debut album, Toxik released their second full-length album the following year with Roadrunner Records entitled, Think This.[4] After the album's release, Toxik hired guitarist John Donnelly to perform with them while touring. The success that resulted from Think This led Toxik to tour the album throughout the United States and Europe with several bands, including King Diamond, Sepultura, Prong, Exodus, Sacred Reich and Pantera. After years of touring, Toxik disbanded in 1992.

First reunion (2007–2010)

During the autumn of 2006, Displeased Records rereleased Toxik's World Circus (1987) and Think This (1989) along with releases of previous releases from Gorguts, Sadus and Disincarnate. The World Circus rerelease included twelve bonus tracks and the Think This re-release included five bonus tracks.

In January 2007, Metal Mind Productions rereleased limited edition versions of Toxik's World Circus (1987) and Think This (1989). The rereleases are digitally remastered, featuring digipak editions of the albums.[5][6]

During February 2007, Toxik announced their reformation as a band. The announcement consisted of the largely original line-up of Mike Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Brian Bonini (bass) and former Dominion (Bill Rogers-vocals, Joe Cseko-electric guitar, Joe Casatelli- bass) drummer, Lou Caldarola (drums). Tad Leger, one of the band's original drummers, is also in a band called Lucertola, as a guitarist.[5] During August 2007, the band's bassist, Brian Bonini, left the new Toxik line-up, leaving Toxik with only three members. Toxik is currently in search of a new bassist to replace Brian Bonini.[5]

Toxik announced a European tour in November, 2007.[5] The two-week tour was to have included performances at the Keep It True festival and the Ragers Elite festival in Germany.[6] The band was scheduled to perform at the Keep It True Festival on November 3, 2007, when the band canceled the tour due to reasons disclosed by the event organizer, "The reason is that their Polish management booked a three week tour around the festival with eight day-offs in a row, which was [not] financially feasible for the band. Also, bassist Brian Bonini quit the band some weeks ago and they [Toxik] couldn't find a replacement for him until now." [5] Since the November tour cancellation, the band has not made any public appearances. According to the Toxik MySpace page, the band is in the process of writing new material and will not tour until a new bassist is hired.

In December 2007, Displeased Records released Toxik's first live album set, entitled Dynamo Open Air 1988, which includes two live performances from 1988 and a limited CD and DVD package.

In July 2010, Toxik self-released Think Again on DVD. Containing a live set from 1989, a 2010 interview with Tad Leger, Josh Christian and Mike Sanders and a photo/poster gallery.

Second reunion, In Humanity, Breaking Class and III Works (2013–present)

On January 8, 2014, it was revealed on Bittner's Facebook fan page that the name of the third Toxik album is In Humanity. A spring 2014 release was expected.[7] However, the album's release date was pushed back to 2016,[8] before being pushed back to 2017.[9]

On July 10, 2017, Toxik announced that they would release the EP Breaking Class on August 4, and premiered their first song in 28 years, "Stand Up", that same day.[10]

On April 27, 2018, Toxik released their newest box set III Works, featuring In Humanity recording sessions, Breaking Class EP with three additional tracks from this EP's sessions and new disc Kinetic Closure featuring vocalist Ron Iglesias.

Band members

Timeline
  • Note: Toxik was inactive from 1992 to 2007, and again from 2007 to 2013.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Live albums
  • Dynamo Open Air 1988 (2007, DVD, Displeased)
  • Think Again (2010, DVD, self-released)

Compilation albums
  • This Is Toxik (2009, Roadrunner)

References
  1. "TOXIK To Release 'Breaking Class' EP; 'Stand Up' Song Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. 12 July 2017.
  2. "Toxik lineup, biography". Last.fm.
  3. "Toxik - Think This CD Album MP3". Cduniverse.com.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-12-13. Retrieved 2006-12-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Genres cited for Toxik on BNR Metal Pages
  6. "Lupus Medical Records Analysis | Lupus Cure Reviews". Displeasedrecords.com.
  7. "Toxik reveal name of first album in 25 years – Metal Riot". Metalriot.com.
  8. "TOXIK ANNOUNCE SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2015". Facebook. June 12, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  9. "Toxik - Finishing New Album". MetalStorm.net. August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  10. "Track Premiere: Toxik - 'Stand Up'". Metalforcesmagazine.com. July 10, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
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