Combat

In 1984 the cult American thrash metal outfit Combat first surfaced, its aggressive approach shaped by the crushing intensity of New York hardcore and the relentless velocity of speed metal. The Queens-based unit inked a contract with Combat Records—an unrelated label—prompting an immediate rechristening. Adopting the more recognizable name Napalm in 1986, the group issued a string of forceful thrash and power metal recordings while cycling through repeated personnel shifts, ultimately halting activity in 1999.

Brothers Jeff and Rex Rossbach, representing two-thirds of the original lineup, revived the project in 2000 and resumed performing under the Combat name, opening a fresh phase for the band. Subsequent releases included two live albums plus a collection of early material, followed by the studio effort Ruination in 2007. The long-players Age of Discord and Mission of Mayhem appeared in 2011 and 2014.