https://metalonmetalrecords.com

NEW ALBUM:

"WHEEL OF SPIKES"

Rising from the Italian underground, MENACE return with their second full-length album, breaking the silence 14 years after their debut. Blazing like a comet blasting through the dark, "Wheel of Spikes" is a no-compromise, full-force strike of burning heavy/speed metal that rips you apart with 10 killer tracks. From speed-driven assaults to crushing mid-tempo sections, every song drags you into the shadowed corners of the soul, walking the line between oblivion and the light within. The sound is rooted in the spirit of the '80s: razor-edged riffs, technically accomplished, blistering solos, pounding drums and bass, and a high-pitched voice that slices the dark, bringing to mind the master of horror metal himself as well as the Metal God. The recording is pristine yet organic; it breathes and it bleeds - plastic production has no place here! The result is an album that feels alive; a testament to what heavy metal means when stripped of everything but its essence. Raw, direct and merciless, this is a true treat for those who worship JUDAS PRIEST, MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, VICIOUS RUMORS and EXCITER, and for those who follow their younger peers like MIDNIGHT PRIEST, FORCE OF EVIL, CAGE, RAM, RIOT CITY, SKULL FIST, WOLF or PORTRAIT. The Wheel of Spikes is rolling... and it's coming straight for you!

RELEASE DATE:
April 2026

BIOGRAPHY:
MENACE was formed in 1997 around the vision of guitarist Dario Vicariotto (known later also from IV SIGILLO and KRYUHM), with the ambition of shaping a pure, direct and uncompromising heavy metal sound. After an initial settling period, in 1999 MENACE merged with IMPERIVM, a local heavy metal band featuring Roberto Savegnago on vocals and Nicola Cariolato on drums, giving rise to the line-up that marked the band's first true incarnation.

In 2000, the trio of Dario (guitar), Rob (vocals) and Nicola Cariolato (drums) recorded a demo CD containing two original tracks, "Messenger from Hell" and "Metal Avalanche", along with two covers of their main influences, Judas Priest.

In 2001, bassist Luca Capalbo joined the band, a versatile musician active in several local projects, and in 2002, guitarist Pietro Viola completed the line-up. The quintet stood out for their high-impact live shows, alternating original material with heavy metal classics by bands such as Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Saxon. During this period, the band shared the stage with several acts from the Italian metal scene, including CENTVRION, NECRODEATH, HANDFUL OF HATE, DOMINE, WHITE SKULL, SCANNERS and ELDRITCH, quickly building a solid reputation in the underground circuit.

Between the winter of 2002 and the spring of 2003, MENACE self-produced their first official release, the EP "Quake Metal", featuring six original tracks. The record received excellent feedback from both audiences and specialized press, attracting attention not only in Italy but also across several parts of Europe.

In the following years, the band further consolidated their presence within the Northern Italian heavy metal scene, sharing the stage with important international metal acts, including PAUL DI'ANNO. In the second half of the 2000s, after years of intense live activity and several line-up changes, MENACE went through a slowdown that gradually led to a halt in live performances. During this period, the band's creative core continued working on new material, keeping its essence alive.

In 2010, two long-time fans joined the band: drummer Sebastiano Cavazza and guitarist Alessandro Fioraso.

In 2012, the album "Heavy Lethal" was released through My Graveyard Productions. The record stands as an uncompromising statement of intent: a celebration of pure classic heavy metal, deeply rooted in traditional sounds yet infused with greater aggression and speed. One of the album's most distinctive aspects lies in its production: instead of following modern trends, MENACE chose an analog recording approach, free of digital artifices, aiming to capture the raw and authentic energy of their live performances on record.

After the release of "Heavy Lethal", the band's live activity once again entered a quiet phase. MENACE lay dormant, silent, yet the band's identity and the bond between the members stayed intact, like embers beneath the ashes.

In 2022, drummer Paolo Veronese (who played in HOLLOW HAZE and several other projects) joined the line-up, bringing a powerful, dynamic and expressive style that gave the band renewed rhythmic drive and an even more impactful presence.

The new line-up resumed work on new material, beginning to write the next chapter of their discography: "Wheel of Spikes", a record that ideally continues the path started with "Heavy Lethal", but with greater compositional maturity and a more defined production.

When the album was near the completion, the band approached Metal on Metal Records. The label was highly impressed by the quality of the material, and in 2026 the contract was signed for its release at the end of April. With "Wheel of Spikes", MENACE reaffirm their commitment to pure and uncompromising metal, once again proving that passion, coherence and attitude can endure through time without losing their strength.