Two Incredible bands in one, or as we lovingly refer to them: WRATHSAZ!! Easily two of THE most (criminally) underrated Thrash Metal bands of recorded history and also one of Metal Nerdery’s absolute favorites.
JOIN US for a walk down memory lane into the late 80’s and early 90’s of thrash metal with the pioneer(s) of modern progressive thrash metal. Your life will be dramatically improved because of this episode, because of Matt’s weird rooster noises and most importantly, because of the splendorious wonderment that can only be recognized as the phenomenon known as WRATHSAZ!!
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IF YOU DON’T ALREADY OWN Climbin The Walls- GET IT HERE!! IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT.
IF YOU DO OWN IT - FUCK YEAH!!!
Formed in Martinsburg, WV in 1978 originally as “Wrathchild” but later added “America” (when they got signed to Atlantic Records in 1988) because there was another band (a British glam band) called Wratchild (lets be honest: the “America” makes it MORE metal!).
Original members: Shannon Larkin, Kevin Keller & Terry Carter (which is ½ the classic lineup). They started as Atlantis and then went to Tyrant and then Wratchild. Brad Divens joined after Kevin Keller threw business cards at him while performing w/ Brad’s band at the time “Ratzalad”.
Changed to Souls at Zero after getting dropped from Atlantic and moving towards a heavier “groove” metal sound in the 90’s compared to their eclectic array of musical styles as Wratchild America. (One might say, Souls at Zero is a less melodic, heavier version of Wratchild America).
Years active shows 1978 to 1996 and 2016 to present (!?) which can only mean 1 thing:
***WRATCHILD AMERICA REUNION!?!?!?***
Classic Lineup (Wrathchild America & Souls at Zero)
Brad Divens: Bass & Vocals
Shannon Larkin: Drums
Terry Carter: Guitars
Jay Abbene: Guitars
Released 2 albums as Wrathchild America:
Climbin’ the Walls (1989)
3-D (1991)
Released 2 albums and an EP as Souls at Zero (SAZ):
Souls at Zero (1993)
Six-T-Six (1994)
A Taste for the Perverse (1995)
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(00:00): Intro/#optomisticsuppository #suppositivitory/A word from Nigel…/#wronggate/ A Metal Nerdery Favorite: Wrathchild America and Souls at Zero (#WRATHSAZ): THE ultimate Cult Thrash Metal Band
(4:00): Potential Wrathchild America Reunion!?!? (YES PLEASE!!!)/Story of past tours, supporting acts and how metal bands used to “preview” new material LIVE! (ultra-high quality!)
(06:24): Wrathchild America’s 1st album: Climbin’ the Walls/musically and lyrically thought provoking (HAIL WRATHSAZ!!)/On re-listening to Climbin’ the Walls (#rockandrollabandon)
(10:40): Climbin’ the Walls (bringing the fun back to thrash!!)/3D (Gentleman Death) #abacusmetal
(15:40): What’s Your Pleasure? (Time signature stumper: email us your answer at metalnerdery@gmail.com) / #stucktothewall
(20:45): Formation and Original members (Ratzalad and the manifestation of Jay Abenne)/transition from Wrathchild America to Souls at Zero and the gradual darkening of their sound
(24:14): Souls at Zero (Hardline, Welcome to the 90’s… AFTER the crickets!)/#progressivethrash
(30:30): Prego (it’s definitely ALL in there!)/Vivid lyrical content/Brad Divens and Phil Lynott lyrical style and delivery /Laughter or Rooster?
(35:13): SAZ EP (Six-T-Six) and Shannon Larkin’s departure to Ugly Kid Joe/Underneath/The similarities of Wrathchild America and Souls at Zero/Grey World (#cantbeloudenough)
(40:52): Souls At Zero (originally played live by Wrathchild America on the 3-D Tour)/Hard to find SAZ albums, still easy to find Wrathchild America
(44:15): Wrathchild America should have been bigger: they were a Metal Band’s Metal Band/#badassitude/ #roadhouse (it’s fucking Road House!)/ I Ain’t Drunk…I’m Just Drinkin’ (#wrathchildthoroughgood)/CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE GLOBAL WORDERY ABOUT METAL NERDERY!!!
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