Fire from the Gods
Fire from the Gods is an American rap metal band formed in Austin, Texas during the late 2000s. The band is signed to Eleven Seven Music and consists of vocalist AJ Channer, guitarists Drew Walker and Jameson Teat, bassist Bonner Baker, and drummer Richard Wicander.
Fire from the Gods | |
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Origin | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels | Rise, Eleven Seven, Better Noise |
Website | www |
Members |
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Past members |
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History
Many music sites say that Fire from the Gods was formed in Austin, Texas in 2010 by lead guitarist Drew Walker, rhythm guitarist Tony Esparza, bassist Bonner Baker, drummer Judson Curtis, and vocalist Eric July, who came together following a local battle of the bands.[3] However, the band was actually formed in 2007.[4] In that same year they released a Demo - with the cover demonstrating their vocalist and keyboardist at the time.[5] Their original vocalist was Michael Vincent, who still has the recordings of their EP "Sweet Lasting Revenge" on his personal YouTube account, which also appears to have previously been the official band page.[6] Furthermore, their original drummer was named Chad Huff.[7] Their musical genre and influences are described as "blending hip-hop, metal and hardcore".[8]
Judson Curtis replaced Chad on drums in time for the "Sweet Lasting Revenge" EP and Michael would be replaced on vocals by Eric July for "Politically Incorrect". Serious overhaul took place at the end of 2013 where the band continued with a new lineup in which Jameson Teat and Richard Wicander replaced Tony Esparza and Judson Curtis on rhythm guitar and drums respectively. Chris Mardis was originally hired as a fill-in vocalist after departure of Eric July at this same time, but then stayed onboard when the band officially added A.J. Channer in 2014.[9] Following the departure of Mardis in 2016 as they were recording "Narrative", Channer became the sole vocalist until additional member Bruiser Fox was added in 2018.
The band were first signed by Rise Records for their 2016 release Narrative, which was produced by David Bendeth. The album contained the hit singles "Excuse Me" and "End Transmission", and tackled controversial subjects such as racism and abuse of power. In 2017 the band issued a re-release of their 2016 album Narrative called Narrative Retold with the addition of two new songs, "The Voiceless" and "The Taste", both of which were produced by Korn's Jonathan Davis. Following the release of Narrative Retold, the band went on tour with Born of Osiris, Volumes, Within the Ruins, and Oceans Ate Alaska.[10]
In 2019, the band signed with Five Finger Death Punch guitarist's Zoltan Bathory record label Eleven Seven, and released their second album American Sun on November 1, 2019.[11] The album was preceded by the release of a new single, "Truth To the Weak (Not Built To Collapse)", which was released on July 26, 2019.[12] American Sun, like Narrative, deals with issues such as political unrest, technological overload, political discord, and environmental apathy. Coinciding with the release of American Sun, the band is supporting Five Finger Death Punch, alongside Bad Wolves and Three Days Grace, on a tour that started with back-to-back shows at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on November 1 and 2, 2019.
Members
Current members
- AJ Channer – lead vocals (2014–present)
- Jameson Teat – rhythm guitar (2013–present)
- Drew Walker – lead guitar (2007–present)
- Bonner Baker – bass guitar (2007–present)
- Richard Wicander – drums, percussion (2013–present)
Touring Members
- Bruiser Fox - backing vocals, keyboard (2018-present)
Former members
- Jebediah Roper - keyboard (2007-2009)
- Chad Huff - drums (2007-2011)
- Michael Vincent - lead vocals (2007-2012)
- Eric July – lead vocals (2012–2013)
- Tony Esparza – rhythm guitar (2007–2013)
- Judson Curtis – drums, percussion (2011–2013)
- Chris Mardis – vocals, keyboard (2013–2016)
Timeline
![](../I/e6d4f01d0f45ef4c79003835924a47de.png.webp)
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Dig. [13] |
US Hard [14] |
US Heat. [15] |
US Indie. [16] |
US Sale. [17] | ||
Narrative |
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— | 16 | 17 | 46 | — |
Narrative Retold |
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— | — | — | — | — |
American Sun |
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22 | — | 6 | 20 | 79 |
EPs
- Fire From the Gods (2007)
- Sleeping with Anchors and Mirrors (2010)
- Sweet Lasting Revenge (2011)
- Politically Incorrect (2013)
- EAT (2014)
Singles
Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Air. [18] |
US Main. [19] |
US Rock [20] | |||
2016 | "Excuse Me" | — | — | — | Narrative |
"End Transmission" | — | — | — | ||
2017 | "The Voiceless" | — | — | — | Narrative Retold |
"The Taste" | — | — | — | ||
"Pretenders" | — | — | — | ||
2019 | "Truth to the Weak (Not Built to Collapse)" | — | — | — | American Sun |
"Right Now" | 26 | 6 | 48 | ||
2020 | "American Sun" | — | — | — |
Music Videos
Year | Song | Director | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | "Smoke Screen" | Albert Gonzalez | [21] |
2016 | "Excuse Me" | Scott Hansen | [22] |
"End Transmission" | [23] | ||
2017 | "The Voiceless" | Ramon Boutviseth | [24] |
2018 | "Evolve" | AJ Channer | [25] |
2019 | "Truth To the Weak (Not Build to Collapse)" | ||
"Right Now" | Tom Flynn | [26] | |
"American Sun" | |||
2020 | "Break the Cycle" | ||
References
- Rosenberg, Axl (Goldenburg, Matthew). "Fire from the Gods: Best Rap-Metal Revivalists Yet?". July 7, 2016. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- Nuttall, Luke. "'American Sun' by Fire from the Gods". thesoundboardreviews.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- "Fire from the Gods | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- "Fire From the Gods, Interview with Drew Walker". August 29, 2015.
- "Fire From the Gods - Demo 2007". 2007.
- "Michael Vincent Black". November 22, 2011.
- "Fire From the Gods - Sweet Lasting Revenge". 2012.
- "INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: FIRE FROM THE GODS". March 15, 2015.
- "A.J. Channer from Fire of the Gods interview". August 3, 2017.
- "Fire From The Gods Tour Kicks Off This Week with Born Of Osiris & More". February 13, 2017.
- Magazine, Side Stage (August 29, 2019). "Fire From The Gods Announce New Album American Sun". Side Stage Magazine.
- "Fire From The Gods Debut "Truth To The Weak (Not Built To Collapse)"". Theprp.com. July 26, 2019.
- "Chart History: Digital Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Chart History: Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Chart History: Top Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Fire From the Gods Chart History: Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- "Fire From the Gods Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- "Fire From the Gods Chart History: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- "Fire From The Gods - Smoke Screen (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "Fire From The Gods - Excuse Me (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "Fire From The Gods - End Transmission (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "Fire From The Gods Release Official Music Video for "The Voiceless"". musicexistence.com. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "Fire From The Gods - Evolve (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "Fire From The Gods - Right Now (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.