Year : 1991 (Atlantic Records Edition)
Style : Heavy Metal , Thrash Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 134 mb
Bio:
Wrathchild America was an American heavy metal band formed in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1978. They released two studio albums through Atlantic Records, and gained charting success through the Billboard 200. In 1992, they changed their name to Souls at Zero.Wrathchild was formed in 1978. The band was formed by high school friends, Shannon Larkin, Kevin Keller and Terry Carter. Kevin met Terry after school in band class and was asked to join up with his friend Shannon. They had a band at the time named "Atlantis". Ralph "Rat" Tillman and Max "Tuck" McDonald soon joined and changed the name to Tyrant and then later to Wrathchild. Brad was recruited by Kevin Keller by throwing business cards at him while he was performing with his band "Ratzalad". John Turner was soon hired from his band "The Shift". Wrathchild was a renowned live act in the mid to late 1980s all across the U.S. when they were known simply as Wrathchild. After years of touring, playing gigs, and hard work, the band finally was signed to a major label in 1988 thanks in large part to the dedicated work of Chip Seligman. However, a British glam metal band with the same name, Wrathchild, sued and forced the delay of the debut release. The band amended their name by adding America, and their debut album Climbin' the Walls peaked at #190 on the Billboard 200.Though only given a half of a songwriting credit for the song "London After Midnight", Kevin also co-wrote the songs: "No Deposit, No Return" and "Day of the Thunder". Their subsequent release was widely ignored since the thrash genre was still not widely accepted as it is today. The band changed their name to Souls at Zero and revamped their stylistic approach.Jay Abbene: According to a posting on Tartarean Desire, former TOXIK drummer Tad Leger has launched a brand new project called Lucertola (Italian for "lizard"). The group's musical style is said to be a blend of Leger's biggest influences: doom, old Voivod and Italian horror soundtracks (Goblin, Fabio Frizzi). Tad started out recording both guitar and drums himself, but was joined by his old Blackened Sky bandmate Andy Abbene and his brother Jay Abbene (Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero) in early December 2005.Kevin Keller: Went on to perform with Salem with former members of Sabotage. And in 2000 formed his current band Vulgar Bullet. Terry Carter became involved in country music and is currently touring. Brad Divens has become one of the best FOH sound engineers. Shannon Larkin went on to be the driving force in Godsmack.
Album:
3-D is the second and final studio album by American heavy metal band Wrathchild America, released on January 28, 1991 by Atlantic Records. This was the band's last studio album before they changed their name to Souls at Zero in 1992. 3-D was not as successful as Climbin' the Walls, failing to appear on any record chart, although music videos for "Spy" and "Surrounded by Idiots" were released.While retaining some of the thrash metal roots of its predecessor, 3-D is notable for being the band's most diverse and technical album. It leans towards other genres such as progressive and funk metal,and in particular, the instrumental "Prego" is played in a jazz fusion style, while its follow-up track "Another Nameless Face" draws a reggae influence.Although 3-D failed to chart on the Billboard 200, the album received generally positive reviews. Alex Henderson from AllMusic gave the album a score of four-and-a-half stars out of five, and claims that 3-D was "often described as a thrash effort for the more casual thrash fan.While most of us, the old thrashers, agree the nineties were the downfall of good thrash and speed metal, there were some exceptions. There actually were a few bands succeeding at re-inventing it AND keeping it enjoyable. Wrathchild America were such a bunch. Yes they threw in some groove. Yes they threw in some, almost glam-ish, rock and roll. But all in a good way. The band could handle their instuments so well, it all sounds perfectly normal and convincing.In a way they never sound as if they’re taking everything too seriously yet they easily blew 90% of the early nineties competition out of the water when it came to re-inventing thrash metal.The surgical tightness of their more furious songs is impressive. “ 3-D Man”, “What's Your Pleasure” and “Surrounded By Idiots” are easily the best three songs here. The band is all over the place stylewise yet these songs remain thrash metal-focussed, strong, logical and do sound very energetic when picking up the pace. The hooks and breaks are all well contrived and executed perfectly.Brad Divens’ vocals are melodic yet raspy enough to suit the more aggressive aspects of this album as well. His vocals are an important element in keeping all their influences and styles together and giving Wrathchild America a very characteristic and recognisable sound at the same time. Chapeau!The only reason for not giving this album 99 points is because some songs are just slightly less impressive. With an eclectic sound like this it’s logical not all your songs will come out equally briliant. Especially “Draintime” has a good idea behind it but fails in efficiency.For some thrash metal fans Wrathchild America will be too soft or even a bit too humoristic or sleazy in a way but if you’re into metal in general you will surely find something appealing here!
Line Up:
Brad Divens - Vocals (1983-1993, 2017-?), Bass (1987-1993, 2017-?) - See also: ex-Souls at Zero, ex-Back Alley Gators, ex-Kix
Terry Carter - Guitars, Vocals (1981-1993, 2017-?) - See also: ex-Souls at Zero
Jay Abbene - Guitars (1984-1993, 2017-?) - See also: ex-Souls at Zero, ex-Crowbar, ex-Jakkpot, ex-Kiddie Porn
Shannon Larkin - Drums, Vocals (1981-1993, 2017-?) - See also: Another Animal, Blue Cross Band, Snot (live), ex-Black Sabbath (live), ex-Fear of God (live), ex-Ozzy Osbourne (live), ex-Souls at Zero, ex-Amen, ex-Back Alley Gators, ex-Candlebox, ex-Godsmack, ex-Kiddie Porn, ex-M.F. Pitbulls, ex-Ripped Clit, ex-The Apocalypse Blues Revival, ex-Ugly Kid Joe
Production:
A&R [Direction] – Peggy Donnelly
Arranged By, Producer [Associate] – Wrathchild America
Art Direction, Cover [Concept] – Bob Defrin
Cover – Mark Hess
Engineer [Assistant] – Andy Grassi, Mark Harder, Rob 'Wacko' Hunter*, Shannon Carr
Management – Chip Seligman
Mixed By, Recorded By, Producer – Alex Perialas
Photography By – Frank White , John Cell, Jon Perrin
Written-By – Wrathchild America (tracks: 1 to 11)
Tracklist:
01. 3-D Man 04:25
02. Spy 04:42
03. Gentleman Death 03:59
04. Forever Alone 04:37
05. Draintime 06:01
06. Surrounded By Idiots 06:05
07. Desert Grins 06:29
08. What's Your Pleasure? 04:10
09. Prego 02:58
10. Another Nameless Face 04:31
11. // 05:21
12. I Ain't Drunk, I'm Just Drinkin' (Albert Collins cover) 04:15 (Bonus Track)
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