GENRE: US Traditional/Speed Metal ORIGIN: USA (Phoenix, AZ), 1996 CURRENT LINE-UP:
Rich McManus (vocals)  NEW ALBUM: “CAULDRON OF EVIL” They say there's nothing faster than the speed of light... Perhaps, but you may change your opinion after hearing some insane solos of Dr. Frankenshred! It's not just shredding for the sake of shredding though - the Doctor proves he's also a great composer and works with the best musicians around, which resulted in an album loaded with kickass songs with solid hooks, awesome chops and killer vocals. But what's in this cauldron? Early ANTHRAX, SACRED REICH, MELIAH RAGE, METAL CHURCH, RACER X, CJSS, MALMSTEEN - a meltdown of traditional US power/speed metal verging on thrash, full of brilliant guitar tactics. RELEASE DATE: December 2009 RELEASED ON:  |
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FRANKENSHRED, formed in late 1996, started out as an instrumental project. The original line-up consisted of Dr. Frankenshred (guitar, known also from COMMANDMENT, as JR3), W.W. Spencer (bass) and Kelly Knight (drums). By June of 1997 FRANKENSHRED recorded a self-titled instrumental CD engineered by Michael Vein and released on his own Vein Records label. Many positive reviews and a lot of live dates followed including shows with LYNCH MOB, SACRED REICH and TONY MACALPINE.In October 1998 the band split up due to different personal obligations. At this time the Doctor retained his role as Dr. Frankenshred and joined the shock metal band ST. MADNESS, with whom he performed on "God Bless America" (1998), "Scare The World" (1999) and "We Make Evil Fun" (compilation released in 2003). More live dates followed including shows with KING DIAMOND, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SACRED REICH, VAN HALEN and at MILWAUKEE METALFEST 12 & 13. In 2000 the original FRANKENSHRED line-up reformed and recorded a follow up instrumental CD called "Evil Shred" that was released on Guitar Nine Records. This recording led to having the song "Igor's Revenge" featured on the 2001 guitar compilation called "Lick This" which also featured guitar shredders Rusty Cooley and Mike Chlasciak. Also in 2001 Dr. Frankenshred recorded another CD, released through David T. Chastain's Diginet label (as a part of the "Guitar Masters" series) which featured Dr. Frankenshred (guitar), David T. Chastain (bass) and Mike Haid (drums). Other guitar shredders were involved in this series, including Gus G. This also led to a live performance at the annual Ibanez Jemfest in Orlando, Florida in 2001. Another CD called "Extreme Solos" was also released in 2001 on the Diginet label, which features guitar solos by Dr. Frankenshred, Joe Stump and David T. Chastain among others. Around this time in 2002, the band tried to add a vocalist to the line-up. Many auditions were held and unfortunately meanwhile the original Frankenshred drummer quit due to not being able to agree on which vocalist to use and what direction to pursue. It wasn't until 2004 that a vocalist and a new drummer were secured. This line-up featured Rich McManus (vocals), Dr. Frankenshred (guitar), W.W. Spencer (bass) and Greg Hall (drums, SACRED REICH). The same year new CD was recorded at Tall Cat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was mixed and mastered in Germany at The Music Factory by Christian Schmid at the recommendation from David T. Chastain. Many live dates followed including shows with METAL CHURCH, GRAVE DIGGER, LIZZY BORDEN, ATOMIC PUNKS, GARY HOEY and JACKYL. By 2006 the singer and bass player quit due to the frustrating state of the music industry. In 2008 a suitable vocal and bass replacements were found. This line-up featured Kyran Brennan (vocals), Dr. Frankenshred (guitar), Robbie Erwin (bass), Greg Hall (drums, SACRED REICH). In 2009 new songs were recorded, mixed and mastered at Tall Cat Studios, Phoenix Arizona. FRANKENSHRED's music caught the interest of Metal On Metal Records, who offered the band to release "Cauldron Of Evil", that is the previously unreleased album from 2004 and 5 songs from the 2009 sessions as bonus tracks. The CD was released in December 2009. As the name suggests, there's plenty of fretboard gymnastics, but it's not just shredding for the sake of shredding. Dr. Frankenshred proves once again that he's also a great composer and choses to work with some of the best musicians around, which resulted in an album loaded with kickass restless and aggressive songs with lots of hooks - all played on the highest level. So if you're into solid traditional US power/speed metal verging on thrash, full of brilliant guitar tactics, don't hesitate to grab "Cauldron Of Evil". We're not responsible for any neck injuries though! |
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• Videos |
• “Evil Shred" album cover |
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Frankenshred (1997) Full-length, Self-released |
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Evil Shred (2000) Full-length, Guitar Nine Records |
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Dr. Frankenshred (2001) Full-length, Diginet Music |
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• “Caulron Of Evil” album cover |
Cauldron Of Evil Full-length, Metal On Metal Records Release date: DECEMBER 2009
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Get up and make a name There's no one else to blame You know you've got to Play through the pain |
• Official YouTube |
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Frankenshred Official Website www.frankenshred.com |
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Frankenshred @ MySpace www.myspace.com/frankenshred |
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Frankenshred @ YouTube www.youtube.com/user/frankenshred |
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Frankenshred @ Metal Archives www.metal-archives.com |
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