Wrathchild America

Wrathchild America is an American heavy metal band formed in Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States, in 1978. Before settling on the Wrathchild America name in 1988, the band had performed under the names Atlantis, Tyrant, and Wrathchild. 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. The band is also notable for including one-time Kix member Brad Divens, and a then-unknown Shannon Larkin, who went on to become the drummer for many bands such as Ugly Kid Joe, Candlebox, and Godsmack.

Wrathchild America
Also known as
  • Atlantis (1978)
  • Tyrant (1978–1979)
  • Wrathchild (1979–1988)
  • Souls at Zero (1992–1996)
OriginMartinsburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1978–1996
  • 2016–present
LabelsAtlantic
Associated acts
MembersTerry Carter
Shannon Larkin
Brad Divens
Jay Abbene
Past membersKevin Keller
Ralph "Rat" Tillman
Max "Tuck" McDonald
Tracy "Mace" Peyton (Payton)
Max Hykes
John Turner
Jamie Miller
Rich Spillberg

History

Wrathchild was formed in 1978 by high school friends, Shannon Larkin, Kevin Keller, and Terry Carter. Keller met Carter after school in band class and was asked to join up with his friend Larkin. 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.[1] The band amended their name by adding America, and their debut album Climbin' the Walls peaked at #190 on the Billboard 200.[2][3] Though only given a half of a songwriting credit for the song "London After Midnight", Keller also co-wrote the songs: "No Deposit, No Return" and "Day of the Thunder". Their second album, 3-D (1991), coincided with the decline of the thrash metal scene and did not chart.[1] During its existence, the band toured or played selected shows with such bands as Slayer, Exodus, Testament, Annihilator, Pantera, Nuclear Assault, Armored Saint, Gang Green, Voivod, Vio-lence and Dark Angel, among others. Around 1992, Wrathchild America was dropped from Atlantic Records and changed their name to Souls at Zero and revamped their stylistic approach.[1]

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, formed his current band Vulgar Bullet in 2000. 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.

By December 2016, rumors were circulating that a Wrathchild America reunion was in the works.[4] Frontman Brad Divens posted video clips of rehearsal videos on Facebook in mid-2017.[5]

Band members

Discography

Demos
  • Danger-Us (1983)
  • Days of Thunder (1987)
  • Demo '89 (1989)

Studio albums

See also

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who’s Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 393. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
  2. "Wrathchild America > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  3. "Wrathchild America Music News & Info". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  5. "Wrathchild - The Re-union". M.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
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