Infernal Majesty

Infernal Majesty originated in Toronto under the initial name Overlord when they assembled in 1986, bringing together vocalist Chris Bailey, guitarists Kenny Hallman and Steve Terror, bassist Psycopath, and drummer Rick Nemes. The group cut a four-song demo that made the rounds through specialty publications before reaching Roadrunner Records, which signed them and put out the debut None Shall Defy in 1987. Although it drew strong critical notices, spawned a video for the title track, and endures as a cult favorite within technical thrash metal, the album became their sole Roadrunner release after the label ended the relationship without explanation. Bailey, Psycopath, and Nemes departed at that point—the final pair to launch Castle of Pain—and the remaining members recruited vocalist Justin, bassist Chay McMullen, and drummer Kevin Harrison. Demos from this updated lineup attracted no further offers, prompting the band to split. Justin later drew widespread attention after charges of slashing a young woman’s wrists and drinking her blood; his case, known as the “vampire trial,” produced a seven-month prison sentence and, improbably, a relationship with the victim that led to cohabitation. Renewed attention arrived in 1996 when the debut received a CD reissue, after which the band (now featuring the returning Chris Bailey) completed a brief European tour and secured a deal with Hypnotic Records. That association yielded Unholier Than Thou in 1998 before another abrupt termination, yet the group proceeded to issue the live set Chaos in Copenhagen independently the next year.