Biography
Formed in 2003 in Canton, Michigan, the thrash/melodic death metal outfit Battlecross draws from old-school American thrash and classic Gothenburg death metal to deliver driving riffs, crazy solos, and unrelenting momentum that pushes the intensity higher than ever. They characterize their approach as "blue collar thrash."
Guitarists Tony Asta and Hiran Deraniyagala started the group and brought aboard drummer Mike Kreger, vocalist Kyle "Gumby" Gunther, and bassist Don Slater. Their first recording, the self-released Push Pull Destroy, appeared in 2010; after signing with Metal Blade, the band recut the material and issued it as Pursuit of Honor in 2011. War or Will followed in 2013, the same year Kreger exited. Kevin Talley handled live duties that included the summer Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. Adam Pierce of All Shall Perish then assumed the drum chair for a fall run supporting Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, and the Acacia Strain. Shannon Lucas took over afterward and remained through the winter, spring, and into the next summer, anchoring two European outings opening for Huntress plus an additional North American trek. The group’s standing among metalheads grew markedly during this period. When Lucas departed, Alex Bent handled the rest of that summer, including Battlecross’s debut performance in Mexico City opening for Black Label Society and a subsequent South American tour.
The young band’s energy and technical acumen continued to draw notice as they kept touring, supporting Machine Head and Children of Bodom. Returning from the road in late 2014, Battlecross headed straight into Florida’s Audiohammer Studios with producer Jason Suecof. The advance single “Not Your Slave” surfaced in May 2015, followed by “Spoiled” in June, before the full-length Rise to Power arrived in August.
Guitarists Tony Asta and Hiran Deraniyagala started the group and brought aboard drummer Mike Kreger, vocalist Kyle "Gumby" Gunther, and bassist Don Slater. Their first recording, the self-released Push Pull Destroy, appeared in 2010; after signing with Metal Blade, the band recut the material and issued it as Pursuit of Honor in 2011. War or Will followed in 2013, the same year Kreger exited. Kevin Talley handled live duties that included the summer Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. Adam Pierce of All Shall Perish then assumed the drum chair for a fall run supporting Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, and the Acacia Strain. Shannon Lucas took over afterward and remained through the winter, spring, and into the next summer, anchoring two European outings opening for Huntress plus an additional North American trek. The group’s standing among metalheads grew markedly during this period. When Lucas departed, Alex Bent handled the rest of that summer, including Battlecross’s debut performance in Mexico City opening for Black Label Society and a subsequent South American tour.
The young band’s energy and technical acumen continued to draw notice as they kept touring, supporting Machine Head and Children of Bodom. Returning from the road in late 2014, Battlecross headed straight into Florida’s Audiohammer Studios with producer Jason Suecof. The advance single “Not Your Slave” surfaced in May 2015, followed by “Spoiled” in June, before the full-length Rise to Power arrived in August.
Albums
Singles
