The thrash metal band Hirax was formed in California in 1984 by vocalist Katon W. DePena, bassist Gary Monardo, guitarist Bob Savage and drummer Brian Keith. But since there was no scene for this kind of music in California, they spent most of the time doing gigs in the Bay Area. Following an early demo, one of their tracks ended up on the 'Metal Massacre VI' compilation. DePena quit the band in 1986, after releasing one full-length album, and an EP. Soon he formed another band, called Phantasm (together with Ron McGovney of Metallica fame). The remains of Hirax continued to rehearsed with former Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff for a while, until he left to form Piranha. Hirax soon folded. In late 1987 the band reformed with the original line-up, and the following year a three track demo was recorded. Tracks from this demo later on ended up on the 'Blasted In Bangkok' single. A final reunion took place in the year 1999. Eventually only DePena remained from the original band.

THE NEW AGE OF TERROR (2004) DEEP SIX/BLACK DEVIL

In the mood for some crushing thrash metal? Are you in hunger for some all out thrash metal frenzy? Well, look no further! Katon DePena is back with his second effort since the reunion in 2001. And together with veteran Glenn Rogers (ex-Deliverance, Steel Vengeance), and a bunch of other metal warriors, they deliver what might be the strongest album in the bands career. 'The New Age Of Terror' is a showcase in brutal American thrash metal, so far removed from anything even slightly commercial. Imagine if your calendar still said 1987, and the co-songwriter for cult favorites Vengeance Rising had joined the most fierce bay area thrash metal act. Because that is just what this is. Glenn Rogers wrote many of the songs for the band Vengeance Rising's debut, and you can even hear the intro notes to "White Throne" in the instrumental track, "Massacre Of The Innocent". But what really sets this band apart is Katon's approach to singing. He is screaming every vocal note like his life was depending on it. But he is certainly not a screamo/metalcore singer nonetheless. He has lots of charisma and he is the main reason the band sounds so unique. 'The New Age Of Terror' delivers 11 tracks of furious speed and thrash metal. And in 2004 they were pretty much alone on the top of the underground thrash metal ladder. Too bad it only lasted for this album and a following EP, as the line-up crumbled only a year or so later. "El Diablo Negro" is a re-recorded version of an older song.

Killer tracks: Kill Switch, The New Age Of Terror, Hell On Earth, Suffer, El Diablo Negro, Unleash The Dogs Of War (Open The Gates)

Related artists:

Vengeance Rising, Deliverance, Once Dead, Reverend, Exodus, Heathen