Simple Aggression

On 1 October 1989, Simple Aggression came together amid the hills of Independence, Kentucky, USA, before shifting their base to Cincinnati in pursuit of wider recognition. The lineup featured Doug Carter on vocals, James Carr and Darrin McKinney on guitar, Dave Swart on bass, and Kenny Soward on drums; the band’s chosen name implied an onslaught of rapid-fire metal. Yet the five-piece operated beyond the confines of a straightforward thrash outfit, anchoring their music instead around a consistent rhythmic pulse that reflected the clear impact of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their first full-length album further revealed an underlying commercial sensibility through the addition of the emotive ballad “Of Winter.”