Heathen performing live in 2015

Heathen is an American thrash metal band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1984, the group originally consisted of lead vocalist Sam Kress, guitarists Lee Altus and Jim Sanguinetti, and drummer Carl Sacco. After the band's first live performance, Kress and Sanguinetti were replaced by David White (then known as David Godfrey) and Doug Piercy, respectively, while Eric Wong was brought in as their first bassist. The group's current lineup features Altus, the sole constant member, alongside White (who rejoined in 1989 after leaving in 1988), guitarist Kragen Lum (since 2007), bassist Jason Mirza (since 2019) and drummer Jim DeMaria (since 2020).

History

1984–1993

Heathen was formed in 1984 by Lee Altus and Carl Sacco, who brought in Sam Kress and Jim Sanguinetti to complete the original lineup.[1] After the band's first show, Kress and Sanguinetti were replaced by David White (then David Godfrey) and Doug Piercy, respectively, while Eric Wong was added as the group's first bassist.[2] After the release of the band's first demo Pray for Death in 1986, Wong was replaced by Mike "Yaz" Jastremski.[3] With the new bassist, Heathen released its full-length debut album Breaking the Silence on Combat Records in 1987.[4] After the album's promotional touring cycle, Sacco left Heathen and was replaced by Darren Minter.[5] During late 1988, Godfrey was replaced by former Exodus frontman Paul Baloff, who recorded a demo with the band.[6]

After briefly leaving in 1988, David White rejoined Heathen in early 1989.
After briefly leaving in 1988, David White rejoined Heathen in early 1989.

After the recording of the demo with Baloff, Jastremski was replaced by Manny Bravo.[7] Baloff left at the beginning of 1989.[6] He was replaced briefly by David Wayne (formerly of Metal Church), followed by Rick Weaver, before Godfrey (now using the name David White) returned in time for the recording of demo Opiate of the Masses in March.[7] The demo also featured new bassist Vern McElroy of Blind Illusion; in 1990, the band recorded Victims of Deception with session stand-in Marc Biedermann, before Randy Laire took over.[5] During his first tour, Laire died in a car accident in September 1991.[8] He was replaced by Jason VieBrooks.[9]

In 1992, Piercy was replaced by Ira Black.[10] The group began work on a planned third album, but broke up the following year.[11] Altus and Minter later joined industrial metal band Die Krupps,[12] White joined Defiance,[13] and VieBrooks co-founded groove metal supergroup Grip Inc.[14]

2001–2019

Heathen reformed in August 2001, with returning members White, Altus, Black and Minter joined by former bassist Mike Jastremski.[15] In June 2004, after the release of Recovered, Jastremski was replaced by Jon Torres.[16] Not long after, Black also left the band, with former Mercenary guitarist Sven Soderlund temporarily taking his place.[17] The remaining four members recorded a demo in early 2005, before announcing the addition of Terry Lauderdale on guitar that June.[18]

Shortly after starting work on a planned third album, Heathen announced in December 2007 that Lauderdale and Minter had left the group, replaced by Prototype guitarist Kragen Lum and former Vio-lence drummer Mark Hernandez, respectively.[19] Less than a year later, Minter had returned to the lineup.[20] The long-awaited third album, The Evolution of Chaos, was recorded with the new lineup and first released in December 2009.[21] During the subsequent touring cycle, Jason VieBrooks returned starting in January 2011 to replace Torres, who temporarily left to "focus on his health".[22] Torres later died on September 2, 2013, and VieBrooks remained a member of the band.[23]

In the spring of 2011, Minter was temporarily replaced by Jon Dette in the spring due to "previous work commitments" which prevented him from touring.[24] Two years later, Minter left permanently and Dette stepped in again for tour dates in the summer of 2013.[25] After more than a year of inactivity, in January 2015 the band played with former Forbidden drummer Sasha Horn.[26]

Since 2019

After another extended period of inactivity, Heathen announced in June 2019 that it had begun work on a new album.[27] When the result, Empire of the Blind, was announced the following year, it was also revealed that the lineup featured new bassist Jason Mirza and drummer Jim DeMaria.[28]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Exodus 2016231161633 2016-08-18 Summer Breeze - Sven - 1D X - 0369 - DV3P8744 mod.jpg
 Lee Altus
  • 1984–1993
  • 2001–present
 guitars all Heathen releases
W0844-Hellfest2013 Heaven AllanFryer 66937.JPG
 David White
(formerly David Godfrey)
  • 1985–1988
  • 1989–1993
  • 2001–present
 lead vocals all Heathen releases excluding the untitled 1988 demo
Exodus Party.San Metal Open Air 2016 17.jpg
 Kragen Lum 2007–present
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
 all Heathen releases from The Evolution of Chaos (2009) onwards
Jason Mirza 2019–present bass Empire of the Blind (2020)
Jim DeMaria drums

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Carl Sacco 1984–1988 drums
  • Pray for Death (1986)
  • Breaking the Silence (1987)
Sam Kress 1984–1985 (died 2006) lead vocals none
Jim Sanguinetti 1984–1985 guitars
Blind Illusion Klaus Hellmerich 001.jpg
 Doug Piercy 1985–1992
  • all Heathen releases from Pray for Death (1986) to Victims of Deception (1991)
  • Empire of the Blind (2020) – one track only
Eric Wong 1985–1986 bass Pray for Death (1986)
Mike "Yaz" Jastremski
  • 1986–1988
  • 2001–2004 (died 2005)
Darren Minter
  • 1988–1993
  • 2001–2007
  • 2008–2013
  • drums
  • backing vocals
 all Heathen releases from the untitled 1988 demo to "Goblin's Blade" (live in Aarau 2010) (2018)
Paul Baloff.jpg
 Paul Baloff 1988–1989 (died 2002) lead vocals untitled 1988 demo
Manny Bravo 1988–1989 bass none
David Wayne 1989 (died 2005) lead vocals
Rick Weaver 1989
Vern McElroy 1989–1990 bass Opiate of the Masses (1989)
Randy Laire 1991 (until his death) none
W0849-Hellfest2013 Heaven LaurieMarlow 66901.JPG
 Jason VieBrooks
  • 1991–1993
  • 2011–2019
  • "Hypnotized" (live in Berlin 2011) (2018)
  • "Control by Chaos" (live at the Dynamo 2013) (2020)
Ira Black in studio.jpg
 Ira Black
  • 1992–1993
  • 2001–2004
 guitars Recovered (2004)
Jon Torres 2004–2011 (died 2013)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • untitled 2005 demo
  • The Evolution of Chaos (2009)
  • "Goblin's Blade" (live in Aarau 2010) (2018)
Terry Lauderdale 2005–2007
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
 The Evolution of Chaos (2009) – two tracks only
Mark Hernandez 2007–2008 drums none

Backup

Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Blind Illusion Klaus Hellmerich 001.jpg
 Marc Biedermann 1990–1991 (session) bass Biedermann joined on a session basis to record Heathen's 1991 release Victims of Deception.[5]
Sven Soderlund 2004 (touring) guitars After Ira Black left Heathen, Soderlund temporarily stepped in as the band's touring guitarist.[17]
W0848-Hellfest2013 Heaven JoeTurturo 67054.JPG
 Jon Dette
  • 2011
  • 2013 (both touring)
 drums Dette filled in for Darren Minter in the spring of 2011, and again later when he left in 2013.[24][25]
Heathen @ 70000 tons of metal 06.jpg
 Sasha Horn 2015 (touring) Horn performed drums with Heathen for the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise in January 2015.[26]
Edissi.jpg
 Kyle Edissi 2022 - present (touring) Guitars Kyle replaced Lee Altus who stayed home due to family circumstances.[26]

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
1984–1985
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Carl Sacco – drums
  • Sam Kress – vocals
  • Jim Sanguinetti – guitars
 none
1985–1986
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Carl Sacco – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Eric Wong – bass
  • Pray for Death demo (1986)
1986–1988
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Carl Sacco – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Mike Jastremski – bass
1988
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – vocals
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Mike Jastremski – bass
  • Darren Minter – drums
 none
Fall – late 1988
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Mike Jastremski – bass
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • Paul Baloff – vocals
  • untitled 1988 demo
Late 1988 – January 1989
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • Paul Baloff – vocals
  • Manny Bravo – bass
 none
Early 1989
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • Manny Bravo – bass
  • David Wayne – vocals
Early 1989
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • Manny Bravo – bass
  • Rick Weaver – vocals
1989–1990
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Vern McElroy – bass
  • Opiate of the Masses demo (1989)
1990–1991
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Marc Biedermann – bass (session)
Spring – September 1991
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Randy Laire – bass
 none
1991–1992
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Doug Piercy – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Jason VieBrooks – bass
1992–1993
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Jason VieBrooks – bass
  • Ira Black – guitars
Band inactive 1993–2001
August 2001 – June 2004
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums
  • David White – vocals
  • Ira Black – guitars
  • Mike Jastremski – bass
  • Recovered (2004)
June – July 2004
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Ira Black – guitars
  • Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
 none
July – December 2004
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
  • Sven Soderlund – guitars (session)
December 2004 – June 2005
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
  • untitled 2005 demo
June 2005 – December 2007
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
  • Terry Lauderdale – guitars, backing vocals
 none
December 2007 – June 2008
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
  • Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Hernandez – drums
June 2008 – January 2011
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
  • Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
  • Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
January 2011 – May 2013
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
  • Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
  • Jason VieBrooks – bass (touring)
  • "Hypnotized" (live) (2017)
April – May 2011
May – October 2013
(temporary touring lineups)
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
  • Jason VieBrooks – bass (touring)
  • Jon Dette – drums (touring)
  • "Control by Chaos" (live) (2020)
January 2015
(temporary touring lineup)
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
  • Jason VieBrooks – bass
  • Sasha Horn – drums (touring)
 none
June 2019 – present
  • Lee Altus – guitars
  • David White – lead vocals
  • Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
  • Jason Mirza – bass
  • Jim DeMaria – drums

References

  1. ↑ Vickers, Lee (September 11, 2020). "Interview – Heathen guitarist Kragen Lum". Velvet Thunder. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ Diamond Oz. (April 8, 2012). "Sunday Old School: Heathen". Metal Underground. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ Giffin, Brian (May 4, 2015). Encyclopaedia of Australian Heavy Metal. DarkStar. ISBN 978-0994320612.
  4. ↑ Batteiger, Paul (November 28, 2004). "Classic Review: Heathen – Breaking the Silence". The Metal Crypt. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Kinger (April 10, 2010). "Heathen – On Tour & Breaking the Silence!". Demolish Magazine. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Drink Like Hell, Rage Like Fuck – A Tribute To Paul Baloff". Voices from the Darkside. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Gábor, Kiss (May 2, 2016). "Heathen: Victims Of Deception". Shock Magazine (in Hungarian). Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Fistful of Metal". Fistful of Metal. No. 1. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Chronique: Heathen – The Evolution of Chaos". Shoot Me Again. April 28, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  10. ↑ Wulf (April 20, 2010). "Interview with David White of Heathen". Malicious Intent. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  11. ↑ Pardo, Pete (November 23, 2020). "Review: "Heathen – Empire of the Blind"". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  12. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Die Krupps Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  13. ↑ Lehtinen, Arto (March 13, 2020). "Interview with David White from Heathen". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  14. ↑ Jeffries, Vincent. "Grip Inc. Biography, Songs, & Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Former Heathen And Griffin Member Mike "Yaz" Jastremski Dies Of Heart Attack Aged 42". Metal Forces. May 22, 2005. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Heathen Announce New Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. June 25, 2004. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Heathen: Former Mercenary Guitarist Steps In To Help Old Friends". Blabbermouth.net. August 3, 2004. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Heathen Announce New Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. June 6, 2005. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Heathen: New Lineup Announced". Blabbermouth.net. December 19, 2007. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Heathen Rejoined By Drummer Darren Minter". Blabbermouth.net. June 23, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Heathen: 'The Evolution Of Chaos' To Receive Japanese Release This Month". Blabbermouth.net. December 4, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Heathen Issues Lineup 'Clarification'". Blabbermouth.net. January 13, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Veteran San Francisco Bay Area Metal Musician Jon Torres Dies". Blabbermouth.net. September 4, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  24. 1 2 "Former Slayer/Testament Drummer To Tour With Heathen". Blabbermouth.net. April 5, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  25. 1 2 "Drummer Jon Dette To Play For Heathen On European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. May 29, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 "Heathen Recruits Forbidden Drummer Sasha Horn For 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise". Blabbermouth.net. January 6, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Heathen In Pre Production For First Album In A Decade". Blabbermouth.net. June 26, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Heathen Unveils 'Empire Of The Blind' Album Details; 'The Blight' Single Now Available". Blabbermouth.net. June 26, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
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