music

Obsessionis an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 famous for spawning the career of singer Michael Vescera. The band first came on to the scene on theMetal Massacre 2compilation from Metal Blade Records. After that, the band released the Ep "Marshall Law" and the albumsScarred for LifeandMethods of Madnessunder the Enigma label. They broke up in 1989 to reform in 2004 releasing the albumCarnival of Liesin 2006 with Mausoleum Records. Obsession then signed to the Ulterium - Inner Wound Record label to release the latest album "Order of Chaos" in 2012.

Obsession provided songs for the filmsSleepaway Camp II,Sleepaway Camp IIIas well as forLeatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III.

Fastway is a British rock band formed by guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, formerly of Motörhead, and bassist Pete Way, formerly of UFO.

In 1983, both players had been disgruntled with their own bands and decided to work together in a new outfit. They recruited drummer Jerry Shirley, formerly of Humble Pie, and the then-unknown vocalist Dave King. They took their name from a combination of the founding members' names. However, Way then discovered that he could not escape from his recording contract with Chrysalis Records, and then received a tempting offer to play for Ozzy Osbourne, so he abandoned the project without ever playing on a single record. Bringing in session bassist Mick Feat, the band then recorded their debut album, Fastway (Feat was uncredited on the album).

Demon is an English heavy metal band, formed in 1979 by vocalist Dave Hill and guitarist Mal Spooner, both hailing from Leek, Staffordshire. The band is considered important to the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

Malice is an American heavy metal band formed in 1981, best known for their appearance on the first Metal Massacre compilation and the release of a pair of albums on Atlantic Records. Their heavily-European-influenced style elicited comparisons to Judas Priest.

Reverend is an American heavy metal band that was originally based in Seattle, Washington, and is based in San Antonio, Texas. Reverend was formed in 1989 by ex-Metal Church vocalist David Wayne, who took the band's name from his own moniker, which he acquired as the frontman of the "Metal Church". Reverend has gone through many lineup versions since its original inception, and despite David Wayne's death in 2005, the band is still active and continues to play in his honor.

After struggling with drug problems within his current band, David Wayne decided to leave Metal Church in the late '80's and find another group to join. Wayne searched around Los Angeles looking for the best band in which he could participate. He met with ex-W.A.S.P. member Randy Piper and considered joining Piper's band Animal, but Wayne decided against it because Animal was experiencing the same problems which caused his departure from Metal Church.

Q5 is an American hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1983 by guitarist Floyd Rose and singer Scott Palmerton (AKA Jonathan K.) who were bandmates in Seattle legend The Core. The Core disbanded, Rose and Palmerton having a number of new songs written needed to fill out a new roster. They acquired Rick Pierce (guitar), Evan Sheeley (bass) and Gary Thompson (drums) from local Seattle band TKO. They were signed to management by Ken Kinnear, who also managed Heart. Their first album "Steel The Light" was mostly recorded in Los Angeles at Cherokee Studios, with finishing touches at The Music Source in Seattle. The album was produced by Grammy award-winning producer Mike Flicker and by Floyd Rose. Steel The Light was released in late 1983 on the London based Music For Nations label and became an instant hit in Europe. Lesser known in the U.S. and because of the success of Steel The Light in Europe, Q5 was seen as a European style band and was sometime lumped in with the NWOBHM groups. Steel The light enjoyed great success and is still viewed as an iconic album worldwide. Q5 released its second album in 1986 titled "When The Mirror Cracks"  It was a slight departure from the sound of the first album but was strong enough to get the band signed to Polygram Records and a production deal with Q Prime in New York. A third album of songs was started in 1988. Sadly the band began having the usual musical differences of opinion and the record company also was demanding a slightly watered down sound. The membership fractured in 1989 with two of the members, Palmerton(Jonathan K.)and Pierce, forming a new group named Nightshade. Q5 officially disbanded at that point. Nightshade continued live shows playing new material mixed with Q5 material and in 2009 a version of Q5 reformed with three original members Jonathan K., Rick Pierce and Evan Sheeley playing a show in Germany. It took several more years but the Q5 name was dusted off and the band presented itself at a one-off at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2014. Q5 was back. In 2016 they were signed to Frontiers Records SRL and released the long-awaited third album "New World Order" Q5 still plays and records today and consists of original founding member Jonathan K. surrounded by a set of gifted musicians.

Phantom Blue was an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming.

Phantom Blue was formed in 1988 in Los Angeles by Michelle Meldrum and Nicole Couch. Couch and Meldrum were students of Paul Gilbert and Bruce Bouillet of Racer X. Michelle Meldrum had played with drummer Linda McDonald in previous projects and together with vocalist Gigi Hangach and original bassist, Debra Armstrong. Armstrong left the band in June 1988, prior to the band signing with Shrapnel Records, in October 1988, and was replaced by Kim Nielsen, a student of John Alderete, bassist for Racer X and The Mars Volta. Phantom Blue recorded their self-titled first album with the help of producer Steve Fontano and fellow Shrapnel label mate, Marty Friedman. Couch and Meldrum also co-wrote a track on the album with Marty Friedman. Roadrunner Records, who owned the bands European distribution rights, were responsible for the band shooting a video for the single "Why Call It Love?" and a successful European tour followed. In May 1994 Dana Ross joined the band on Bass guitar.

Pretty Maids is a Danish hard rock/heavy metal band from Horsens. Formed in 1981 by Ken Hammer, and completed with Ronnie Atkins in 1982, their sound and music can be described as classic guitar-laden heavy rock with a strong emphasis on melody.

Over the years, Pretty Maids have sold hundreds of thousands of records, but have never broken through in a major way, except in Japan during the 1990s. They have supported well known bands such as Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, and Saxon, and were also featured at the 1987 German version of Monsters of Rock, where Metallica headlined along with Deep Purple.

After a prolonged international touring hiatus before the release of the 2006 Wake Up to the Real World album, the band have every year since been touring their primary markets of Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany and Japan.