Where Are You?

Bloodlust --FOUND!
Bay Area Thrash

When a fan mentions great US 80s metal, names like Slayer, Overkill, Anthrax, and Agent Steel are typically brought up in the conversation. Those seem to be the names that garnish alot of attention from metal fans worldwide, and rightfully so. However there are other great bands that exist below the surface. Greats like Wild Dogs, Nasty Savage, Exciter, and a little known California band called Bloodlust.

Bloodlust hail from the city of sleaze, Los Angeles. In 1983, glam metal bands had started to tune up all along the Sunset Strip. Flamboyant hair, makeup, and flashy bandanas were the fashionable attire to sway the crowds and land that sweet Hollywood record deal. Bloodlust had different plans for their musical direction. They wanted to play Bay Area thrash; loud, fast, and completely over the top. For 3 years the band played gigs and clubs, opening for top tier metal acts while crafting their own brand of US power-thrash..

In 1986, Bloodlust released "Guilty As Sin" on Metal Blade records. The album was monumental in its unprecedented fury and determination to rule the airwaves with sonic annihilation. One could compare the band's dark speed sound to bands like Nasty Savage, early Anthrax, Dark Angel, and even Omen. Classic tracks like the speedy Manowarish number "Ride To Death", shout it out loud "Chainsaw", and haunting wall smasher "Too Scared To Run" were classic examples of the quality American metal this band created. Vocalist Guy Lord sounded similar to Neil Turbin with his high vocal range, but brought it down a notch to belt out thrash speed numbers ala Bobby "The Blitz".

For whatever reason this heavy metal gem never quite caught on with the audience that needed to hear the album. Much like Blessed Death, Salem's Wych, and countless other underground acts, the band seemed to be in severe trouble with the mainstream audience it so desperately needed.

In 1987, the band sacked vocalist Guy Lord and replaced him with ex-Abattoir vocalist Steve Gaines. The group released the demo tape "Anti-Life" in limited quanity. In 1988 the band released a short EP entitled "Terminal Velocity" on underground label Wild Rags. The band seemed to lose the epic feel that made the debut so magical. Soon after the release, the band split.

Guitarist Anthony Romero joined Tyrant, lead guitarist John Lisi hooked up with Last Rites, and Steve Gaines joined Dreams Of Damnation and then later Pagan War Machine. Former vocalist Guy Lord formed his own band aptly titled Lord.

For one brief moment in time, Bloodlust ruled the metal wastelands. Their take on post-New Wave and Bay Area Thrash will go down in US metal history with the likes of Agent Steel, Slayer, Testament, and Forbidden. They created something magical and unique. Its a real shame that the trip had to end so early.

If anyone has any detail on these band members or any other releases Bloodlust created, please report it to your local authorities here at Maximum Metal.

---

Update: We asked you, the fans, to help us find the band Bloodlust and we received a contact for various band members.

Anthony Romero is alive and well, living in California, and still writing and playing music. When I spoke with Anthony, we discussed the band's demise in the 80s, and his other metal projects during the last twenty years.

Anthony left Bloodlust after their only full-length record, "Guilty As Sin". He went on to join the group Lord, founded by ex-Bloodlust vocalist Guy Lord. In the late 90s, Anthony joined a band called Tyrant, which did a couple of cover tunes for Dwell Records.

At the present time, Anthony has several projects in the works. Currently his new band, Crucifire, are set to enter the studio in July to record their first single, a Maiden-inspired track called "Legion". When asked about the Crucifire album, Anthony says to expect a record of classic, traditional styled metal in the same vein as Priest, Maiden, and Sabbath.

Along with his work on the new record, Anthony has teamed up with Old Metal Records in Arlington, Virginia to reissue "Guilty As Sin" on disc. Along with the original 1986 recording, the reissue will feature some bonus live tracks of the band performing at the "Country Club", rare band photos, and a brief biography of the group.

Look for a song sample of the new Crucifire track "Legion" on our website soon, along with an interview with Anthony Romero.

The Crucifire website should be launched soon, but in the meantime you may contact Anthony at crucifiretheband@yahoo.com

---

This is Steve Gaines, you may know me from the band Bloodlust (also Abattoir, Dreams Of Damnation, Pagan War Machine). I want to catch you up on the latest with Bloodlust.

I have been fortunate to tour with all of the bands listed above throughout the United States over the past couple of years, and in almost every city I have played, people ask about Bloodlust. Is there a possibility of a reunion show or two? Well, this summer I have been in Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, and the demand remains very high for a reunion. We have been contacted by a couple of promoters offering festival dates in 2005, and now we are looking into it.

This past weekend, we finally decided to go to a rehearsal studio to see if any magic was still there. We have all been in contact with each other ( aside from one particular member - more to come ) throughout the years. First song played together in 16 years was nearly flawless. So we are exploring the possibility of honoring some of those dates, as well as recording new tracks - and then see what happens.

Also, if dates can be agreed upon, the lineup will be myself on lead vocals, Earl Mendenhall on guitar, John Lisi on guitar, M.E. Cuestas on drums and Sandy K. on bass. Our most important reason for doing this is to give the fans something special - not to profit by means of a shady deal from something that should be regarded as sacred. Look for both US and European dates in 2005. Any questions, interviews, etc. contact: angrysteve@charter.net


[Other Maximum Metal Columns]

<< back >>