Power Trip (band)

Power Trip is an American thrash metal band formed in Dallas, Texas, in 2008. By 2020, Power Trip's lineup consisted of Riley Gale (vocals), Blake Ibanez (guitar), Nick Stewart (guitar), Chris Whetzel (bass) and Chris Ulsh (drums); the latter replaced original drummer Marcus Johnson, who left in 2009.[1] They have released two studio albums to date, Manifest Decimation (2013) and Nightmare Logic (2017), plus a compilation including their early tracks and a live album.

Power Trip
Power Trip in 2019
Background information
OriginDallas, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Years active2008–present
Labels
Websitepowertripsl.bandcamp.com
Members
  • Blake Ibanez
  • Chris Ulsh
  • Nick Stewart
  • Chris Whetzel
Past members
  • Riley Gale
  • Marcus Johnson

Power Trip was one of the most successful thrash metal bands of the 2010s, with Nightmare Logic entering the Billboard charts,[2] and receiving a number of accolades by publications.[3][4][5] A live version of the song "Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)" received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.[6]

History

In 2013, the band signed with the Southern Lord Records label and released their first studio album, Manifest Decimation.[1] Their second album, Nightmare Logic, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.[7] The Guardian mentioned that singer Riley Gale's lyrics on Nightmare Logic, were about "social inequality and activism". He described Nightmare Logic as "dealing with this waking nightmare, things seem so surreal that they're unbelievable … trying to find optimism and a motivating force and realising that the 99% of us have more in common than we think".[8] The success of Nightmare Logic, as well as sharing the stage with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament, D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Napalm Death, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Five Finger Death Punch, Opeth, Danzig and Obituary,[9][10][11][12][13] helped Power Trip become one of the most popular thrash metal bands in the 2010s.[14][15]

In 2018, the album Opening Fire: 2008–2014 was released as a way to compile their extra tracks.[16] In late 2019, Power Trip announced that they were working on their third album.[17]

Vocalist Riley Gale died on August 24, 2020, at the age of 34. His death was announced by the band the next day.[8][18] At the time of Gale's death, Power Trip had already been scheduled to embark on a European tour with Lamb of God and Kreator in late 2021.[19]

Musical style and influences

Their sound has been described by critics as thrash metal[1] and hardcore punk,[1][20][21] as well as simply crossover thrash.[22] Gale cited the importance of guitar riffs and pop songs: "Some of Blake [Ibanez]'s favorite bands are Killing Joke, Stone Roses, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Wipers". Gale said that he worked hard to do concise lyrics: "each word relates to the sentence, and how the sentence relates to the verse. Making sure everything's connected and there's not a syllable wasted." "I try to write something that's catchy that people can sing along to mindlessly". "[I write about] the frustrations with what I see. People's motivations".[23] AllMusic wrote that their music reached fans of both "hardcore punk and extreme music".[1]

Band members

Current members

  • Blake Ibanez – lead guitar (2008–present)
  • Nick Stewart – rhythm guitar (2008–present)
  • Chris Whetzel – bass (2008–present)
  • Chris Ulsh – drums (2009–present)

Former members

  • Riley Gale – vocals (2008–2020; died 2020)
  • Marcus Johnson – drums (2008–2009)

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album details
2013 Manifest Decimation
2017 Nightmare Logic
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: Southern Lord Records

Compilation albums
Year Album details
2018 Opening Fire: 2008–2014
  • Released: April 27, 2018
  • Label: Dark Operative

Singles
Year Name Album
2016 Split Single release
"Firing Squad" Nightmare Logic
2017 "Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)"
"Nightmare Logic"
2018 "Hornet's Nest"[24] Adult Swim Singles Collection
2019 "When Things Go Wrong"[25] Hot Sh!t Attitude

EPs
Year EP details
2009 Armageddon Blues
  • Released: 2009
2011 Power Trip
  • Released: 2011

References
  1. Jurek, Thom. "Power Trip". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  2. "Power Trip - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  3. "25 Best Metal Albums of 2017". Loudwire. November 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  4. Weingarten, Christopher R.; Shteamer, Hank; Bienstock, Richard; Grow, Kory; Epstein, Dan (December 6, 2017). "20 Best Metal Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  5. Epstein, Dan; Bennett, J.; Pessaro, Fred; Camp, Zoe; Geist, Brandon (December 5, 2017). "20 Best Albums of 2017". Revolver. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  6. "Power Trip". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  7. "NIGHTMARE LOGIC by Power Trip". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  8. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (August 26, 2020). "Riley Gale, frontman with thrash metal band Power Trip, dies aged 34". The Guardian. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  9. Lim, Cherrie. "Power Trip's Riley Gale passes away at age 34, leaves fans and friends devastated". Bandwagon. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  10. "Riley Gale Of Power Trip Has Died". Opelika-Auburn News. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  11. "'Power Trip' lead singer Riley Gale passes away". Big News Network. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  12. "Riley Gale, Singer for Thrash Band Powertrip Dead at 34". Funky Moose Records. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  13. "Obituary, Exodus & Power Trip announce tour". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  14. Konstantinos, Pappis. "Power Trip's Riley Gale Dies at 34". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  15. Deville, Chris. "Riley Gale Of Power Trip Has Died". Stereogum. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  16. Kennelty, Greg. "POWER TRIP Streams Early Material Compilation Opening Fire: 2008-2014". Metal Injection. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  17. Kennelty, Greg. "POWER TRIP Working On A New Album This Week". Metal Injection. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  18. Mudrian, Albert. "Power Trip Frontman Riley Gale Dies at 34". Decibel. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  19. "LAMB OF GOD And KREATOR Announce Rescheduled Dates For 'State Of Unrest' European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  20. Shepherd, Sam. "Power Trip – Nightmare Logic". musicOMH. OMH. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  21. Brown, Louise. "Power Trip". The Quietus. TheQuietus.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  22. Pessaro, Fred. "Power Trip: A Day In The Life Of The Crossover-Thrash Juggernaut". Revolver Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  23. Reed, Dunlea (November 14, 2018). "Power Trip: Inside Crossover Thrashers' Raucous First-Ever Japanese Tour". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  24. Camp, Zoe. "HEAR POWER TRIP'S FURIOUS NEW STAND-ALONE SONG "HORNET'S NEST"". Revolver. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  25. Hadusek, Jon. "Power Trip cover "When Things Go Wrong" by NYHC band Outburst: Stream". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
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