The Distant Thunder

Distant Thunder emerged as a supergroup bearing the name of a renowned release from the American indie metal stalwarts Helstar, founded by none other than that band's frontman James Rivera. Following the breakup of his prior outfit, Rivera assembled guitarists Gregg Gill and Eric Halpern (who also performs with Destiny's End), bassist Mike LePond of Symphony X, and drummer Rick Ward to lay down 2004's Welcome the End, an album that delivered every hallmark of classic American metal his followers had come to anticipate.