Sound Barrier

Emerging amid the Los Angeles heavy metal scene of the 1980s, Sound Barrier drew from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and additional sources. All four founding members—vocalist Bernie K., guitarist Spacey T., bassist/vocalist Stanley E., and drummer Dave "Skavido" Brown—were black, a detail that immediately set the quartet apart from peer acts. Rock journalists took note of four African Americans performing in the genre, which translated into substantial early coverage, yet the band attracted only a modest following and never achieved commercial breakthrough.

Formed in 1980, Sound Barrier landed a contract with MCA in 1982 and cut its debut album, Total Control, that year. The release moved roughly 12,000 copies, after which MCA ended the relationship. Two years later the group issued the EP Born to Rock on its own Pit Bull label. In 1986 Stanley E. exited, and Romanian bassist Emil Lech, formerly of the L.A.-based band Teriff, came aboard as the first white member. With this interracial lineup, Sound Barrier recorded Speed of Light for Metal Blade in 1986; when the album failed to sell, the band disbanded in 1987.