Lethal

Lethal crafted technically polished progressive heavy metal from their unexpected Kentucky base, though their approach bore an unmistakable resemblance to the early output of Queensrÿche and, even more closely, Fates Warning. Vocalist Tom Malicoat, guitarists Eric Cook and Dell Hull, bassist Glen Cook, and drummer Jerry Hartman supplied assured performances on the band’s mature 1990 debut album Programmed, issued by Metal Blade. After an extended gap the group returned with the 1995 EP Your Favourite God and the 1996 album Poison Seed—both featuring David McElfresh in place of Hull—only to pursue an unsuccessful turn toward grunge-inflected alternative metal that failed to retain their earlier audience. The misstep prompted a breakup, yet reports indicate a reunion in 2006.