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All photos by Evan Rawk
ENTROPY BEGINS…
Thrash metal veteran Mem V. Stein formed Sun Descends in NYC, September of 2000, after taking a sabbatical from music that lasted two years and included a re-location from Europe to the U.S Founded on the principals of a deep-rooted passion for thrash metal, Mem’s vision remained constant throughout all the ups and downs in the years to come. SD went through numerous line-up changes and several releases since they first surfaced on the international metal landscape in 2001. That year, High Vaultage Records from Germany released the band’s first EP, “Tide in the Affairs of Men”; soon after Mem had played the Wacken open-air festival for a one-off Exumer reunion show.
However, things quieted down following the release and SD went into a hiatus.
Then in January 2004, Mem met guitarist Sam Awry. The two musicians recruited bassist, Jillian Ann La Boy shortly after, began writing songs and playing live with an ever-revolving roster of drummers.
The first output of this SD incarnation became the self-released “Kanun-Law” EP, in the summer of 2004. Receiving much more attention from the international press than it’s predecessor, the EP along with SD’s first recording was re-released in early 2005. Marquee Records from Brazil and Khaosmaster Productions from Puerto Rico released and distributed the professionally packaged release to a thrash hungry audience all over the globe in the metal underground.
In July 2005, SD braced them selves for a long-overdue full-length cd and entered Don Fury’s Cyclone Sound Studio in Coney Island, NY, where the band and Don had previously worked on their 2nd EP.
The result of that session became the 10 tracks strong “Incinerating the Meek.” Distributed worldwide via Twilight Distribution from Germany. The recording showcased guest appearances from Craig Horval of Nunslaughter/Crucified Mortals and His Eminence the Wicked of Terror of the Trees. Also included on “I.T.M.” as a bonus, was the band’s first video clip for the song “Intercepting Daggers”.
In the summer of 2006, SD went yet through another major personnel change. The band's guitarist & main riffer, Sam Awry, decided to leave the outfit one month after drummer Chris Torre and bassist Jillian La Boy had called it quits. Mem was left without any players but with a scheduled recording date in Germany for November 2006. SD's mastermind had to cancel the studio date in Germany, where the band was booked to record their second full-length cd for Twilight Distribution.
After a few weeks of intensive investigations, Mem found guitarists Kristian Shamash and drummer Steve Proios in September 06. Refusing to budge or dismiss the project, the veteran vocalist kept the band on course and started the writing process anew with Kristian and Steve. Then in late 2006, the trio recruited Lou Cortez, a Bronx-raised guitarist, to enhance the sonic assaults on SD’s second full-length album and for the up-coming live performances.
The band continued to write material, pushing back several recording dates for what ultimately materialized as the band’s second full-length album: “The Entropy Formula”. In order to record the “T.E.F.”, Sun Descends entered Big Blue Meenie Studios in Jersey City, late June 2007, spewing out 10 new tracks of vintage thrash metal anthems. Bringing back the hardcore feel that was apparent in thrash metal of the 1980s, the band combined the styles of thrash metal and hardcore. SD adhered on “The Entropy Formula”, to the very same philosophy that made thrash metal popular in its beginning stages, melting the musicianship of metal with the energy of hardcore and punk. Produced by long-time friend “His Eminence the Wicked”, and engineered by Arun Venkatesh, “The Entropy Formula”, is SD’s latest testimony for the band’s commitment to keep undiluted thrash metal alive for the years to come.
“The Entropy Formula” features artwork from one of NYC’s finest and pioneer illustrators; Sean Taggart. Sean’s cover design is the final piece that completes SD’s vision for this new chapter and brings back NYC HC THRASH METAL full circle.
Mem V. Stein - VOX Mem started his musical career in 1984 and fronted several thrash metal and hardcore outfits in the 1980s. He ventured out to play experimental hardcore in the early 1990s and finally moved into playing Rap metal in the vein of Rage Against the Machine, from 1993 to 1998. In 2000, he returned to his musical thrash metal roots and founded Sun Descends in New York City. Recordings: 2008 Sun Descends-"The Entropy Formula"-Khaosmaster Productions 2006 Sun Descends -"Incinerating the Meek"-Twilight Distribution 2005 Sun Descends-"Tide & Law"- Marquee Records/Khaosmaster Productions 2004 Sun Descends - "KANUN-LAW" - SD productions 002. 2001 Sun Descends - "Tide in the affairs of men" - SD productions 001 1998 Humungous Fungus - "Peace to men of good will" - Dragnet/Sony Music, unreleased 1996 Humungous Fungus - "Above Respect" - Dragnet/Sony Music. 1994 Humongous Fungus - "Low-key poetry" - Noise Records 1991 Of Rytes - "Without" - Semantic Records 1989 Phobic Instinct - "A second of thought" - No Remorse Records (unreleased on N.R.R.), released on Khaosmaster Productions 2008 1986 Exumer - "Possessed by fire" - Disaster Records 1985 Exumer - "A mortal in black" Demo Tape
Kristian Shamash-Axes Kristian has known Sun Descends since the very early days of the band's existence and has followed SD's tribulations throughout the years very closely. The shredder who hails from Queens, NY, perfected his chops with formal guitar training and a close ear at the pulse of thrash, progressive and power metal. Shamash writes aggressive riffs with melodic solos, making each composition an outstanding gem. The addition of this talented player to SD's roster will expand the band's sound and Kristian is bound to leave his mark on the up-coming album, as well as on SD's live shows.
Steve Proios-Skins Born and raised in Queens, this New York native draws his inspirations from the thrash and traditional metal movements of the 1980s. However, Steve also has his musical hooks into Floridian death metal and every strain of metal that was important to keep the music going through the bleak 1990s. Steve's uncompromising and exciting drum style pulverizes any weakness that comes in the way of SD's musical progression, sure to crush on the band's next live assaults and recordings.
Lou Cortez-Axes Lou Cortez, who was born and raised in the Bronx, became the latest permanent member of Sun Descends in late December of 2006. The exceptionally talented guitarist brings his influences, which span from Metal, Hardcore and Blues, to the band’s own hyper eclectic brew of sounds and stamps his mark on SD’s new material. Lou has played in various local outfits around New York and has been playing his axe for a number of years. The Bronx native, who now resides in Queens, is no stranger to handling multiple instruments and plays the bass as well as the guitar. Lou met the rest of the band in the studio complex where SD and Lou have their rehearsal spaces, and where Lou continues to work on his other projects. Lou, who constantly tweaks his guitar sounds and tones, has already left a huge imprint of his own style on SD’s latest output and will destroy with his stage appearance on the upcoming SD live attacks. The guitarist is the perfect complementary force to Kristian Shamash’s guitar acrobatics, pushing SD’s musical energy over the edge.
Ko Thunder-Thunder Hailing from Istanbul, Turkey, Ko has been playing guitar in bands for many years. The self-taught bassist now lives in Manhattan and has been delivering his crushing bass antics with SD since the summer of 2007. Ko began playing guitar in the mid 90s and was inspired by thrash and heavy metal of the 1980s. His distinct 80s metal look and attitude is a powerful addition to SD' s roster, completing the classic 5-piece line up, reminiscent of so many bands form the golden days of the movement.
SD's former/past member(s) Guitars : John Monsees 2000-2003 Guitars : His Eminence The Wicked (Terror of theTrees , Hemlock (US)) 2002-2003 Guitars : Sam Awry (Drunken War, After Dark (US)) 2004-2006 Drums : Czar 1999-2002 Bass : Josh Thunder 2002-2003 Bass : Jillian Ann La Boy 2004-2006 |
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All photos on this page by Evan Rawk
contact: contact@sundescends.com |