Defenders Of The Faith, le forum Metal

Legendary cult prog-thrashers TOXIK have announced their reactivation. After an aborted attempt at a reunion in 2007, founding member Josh Christian has revealed TOXIK is once again active and ready for live action as well as preparing to work on a new full-length album. Christian comments: "I've been writing this crazy heavy stuff for the last year. In 2007 when we got together, the absence of new material made the reunion feel more like jam sessions. This time around its based like it was originally on a collection of songs with a vibe. The plan is record and perform"

Vocalist Mike Sanders and bassist Brian Bonini have also committed to taking part in the TOXIK reunion. However, the band is on the hunt for a drummer, as original drummer Tad Leger will not be joining the proggy armada in their resurrection. Christian had this to say about Leger's absence: "Tad is on the verge of something killer with his doom project/band LUCERTOLA. It's his baby as he writes the material and plays guitar essentially leading the band. We had planned on finishing the LUCERTOLA disc together and then beginning work on a TOXIK disc — at least that was discussed — but the reality is he can't walk away from his art, and I totally respect that decision, we all do. I'm still hoping Tad shows up on at least one track but either way best of luck to my brother Tad Leger and LUCERTOLA."

Hailing from New York's Hudson Valley area, TOXIK released a pair of classic thinking-man's thrash metal albums in the late '80s. An upstart record label named Roadrunner Records (later home to SLIPKNOT and NICKELBACK) released the band's two astounding masterworks, 1988's "World Circus" and 1989's "Think This". Both releases saw TOXIK take the aggression and brutality of speed metal and mix it with the technicality and proficiency of progressive hard rock.

TOXIK left the Hudson Valley region and toured the United States and the world, playing shows with the likes of PANTERA, SEPULTURA, EXODUS, KING DIAMOND and others in their quest for metal ascendancy before their premature implosion in 1992.

TOXIK released a DVD, "Think Again", in August 2010. The set contained both vintage and brand new never-before-seen footage. The main feature was a 1989 headlining set from the Paramount Theater in TOXIK's hometown of Peekskill, New York. This performance came shortly after the release of "World Circus" and the energy level of the band wa truly at its peak for TOXIK's first headlining show. The DVD contains all the tracks from "World Circus" and an early version of "Spontaneous" that later appeared on "Think This".

As for every other band reuniting…here’s the difference between us and them (I think): we aren’t rolling up our sleeves to break out the oldies. This isn’t a fucking reunion tour with the Eagles where we play all of our hits. I want a record that stands on its own, surpasses the other efforts at least in some ways and reignites the fan base. When people leave Toxik shows in the next year I want the reaction to be “Holy shit, what was that!?” By the nature of our material we have the ability to do it. Our music is all at a warp speed and it just bounces off the wall so hard. This new record with its over the top angst and aggression may come as a surprise, but will ultimately I believe, be a continuation so that a Toxik show will be a cross between nostalgic time tripping and a rip your face off “right now” kind of event. Some of the older fans may not like the new stuff and I’m prepared for that because again it isn’t as innocent and wide eyed. It reeks of age worn wisdom and cynicism. - Josh Christian

Resurrected cult classic progressive thrashers TOXIK have recruited Ralph Santolla (ex-DEATH, OBITUARY, DEICIDE) as their new second guitarist.

Josh Christian, TOXIK's founding member and lead guitarist, comments on Ralph's addition to the group: "Ralph was the first choice. I had talked to other friends about tour spots and playing as guests, but the new material is pretty deep arrangement wise and complicated in its layering. We need that second voice on the instrument. Ralph's experience level is top-shelf, plus he has a very diverse musical approach. Sure, he's played great heavy music with legendary bands and artists, but he also has an amazing ear for melody. The guy can really play! Most of all, he's a brother.

"Ralph Santolla and I go way back, I can remember Chuck Schulinder [DEATH] sitting in the lounge at Morrisound watching Ralph and I trading ideas and saying, 'You guys should play together.' So, with Chuck's blessings, I think the next album just took a giant leap for mankind."

Santolla adds: "I'm really excited and humbled that Josh has asked me to be part of the reformed TOXIK.

"Here's how all of this started.

"I basically grew up at Morrisound, I wouldn't be surprised if I was their longest-running client. I've answered the phone there and taken the garbage out quite a few times. Jim [Morris] and Tom [Morris] have taught me a lot and I owe them quite a bit.

"Back when TOXIK was recording the first album, Tom called me and said there was a band down from New York, and the guitarist was amazing. He said he thought we should meet, so I came down to the studio. Josh and I hit it off immediately, and we've been great friends ever since. We have hours-long conversations about guitar, art, religion, music, politics, you name it. He's an extremely deep, intelligent guy. So when he told me he was putting TOXIK back together, I was psyched for him. He started sending me music to check out, and I was blown away. I told him, 'Dude, you only get to make one comeback record, give this everything you possibly can, hold nothing back,' and he seems to be doing that . Eventually, he asked me to play live, and that led to being in the band.

"It's a big challenge; the stuff he's writing is ultra-fast and technical. And for bonus points, Jason Bittner!!"

Tony Le Pouilleux a écrit :C'est sur le soundlcoud ou bien tu as sucé pour avoir ça?

Resurrected cult classic progressive thrashers TOXIK are mixing their long-awaited comeback album "In Humanity". According to a press release, this CD "will encompass everything TOXIK is known for, as well as some surprises."

The band is currently rehearsing for its first U.S. shows in over 20 years, as well as for the Keep it True festival and subsequent European tour that will start later this month.

TOXIK last year announced the addition of SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner and FREYA bassist Bill Bodily to the group's ranks.

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