The Heretics

Established in Los Angeles, California during 1984, Heretic began with Julian Mendez handling vocals alongside guitarists Brian Korban and Bobby Marquez, bassist Dennis O’Hara, and drummer Rick Merrick. Local club performances around the city soon drew interest from Metal Blade Records, which issued the band’s first recording, the 1987 mini-album Torture Knows No Boundaries. The effort delivered brisk power metal yet was undercut by Mendez’s vocal style, which sat uneasily with the group’s aggressive attack. Recognizing the mismatch, Mendez departed that same year and was succeeded by Mike Howe. The follow-up album, Breaking Point, reflected greater assurance in the band’s delivery. Howe’s exit later in the year to join Metal Church triggered further vocalist changes, none of which halted the group’s dissolution by 1989.