Artist description Minotar is a unique metal band that blends some very diverse musical influences. Jerry Yeager (bass/vocals) is the heaviest among the band, being influenced by such bands as Morbid Angel, Testament, Deicide, and Fear Factory. Phil Pollock (lead & rhythm) is the most progressive of the band, being influenced by such bands as Rush, Van Halen, Metallica (old school), and Korn. John Kraemer (percussion) is the middle man and the transition mastermind of the band, being influenced by such drummers as Dave Lombardo, Gene Hoglan (old Death stuff), Vinnie Paul, Peter Criss, and exotic cultural percussion. All of these influences come together in harmony. Minotar uses it's music diversity to create unique music and to avoid steriotypical metal. It is very hard to classify us, as we often straddle the fine line between death metal, thrash, and progressive metal. Please note, also, that the spelling of "Minotar" is intentional.

Music Style Experimental Groove Oriented Progressive Death Metal (Minotar metal)

Musical Influences Death, Slayer, Pantera, Testament, Kiss, Van Halen, Deicide

Similar Artists Slayer, Pantera, Slipknot, Testament, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Death, Megadeth, Metallica, Flotsam & Jetsam, Forbidden, Anthrax, Kreator, Nile, Korn, Meshuggah, Vader, Sepultura, Iced Earth

Artist History Minotar was formed in 1997, when, after years of jamming in the basement, bassist Jerry Yeager and drummer John Kraemer, met up with guitarist Phil Pollock to form the band amidst a flourishing alternative music scene. All three members had been disgruntled by, not only the music scene in general, but their past experiences with their former bands. Interesting enough, Jerry Yeager had actually tried out for the band Phil was in, back in 1993 but was turned down for his "heavy" influences. Phil had no say in the decision, as his guitarist, Danny Ramos, ran the show in their band. After Phil's former band broke up, he went several years jamming in solitude, until one day he met back up with bassist Jerry Yeager again and decided to check us out. John and Jerry had already been playing for a few years by that time, in which time Jerry developed a knack for dynamic vocals to compliment his bass playing. After playing with Jerry and John for a while, it was undeniable that this band was meant to exist. And so Minotar was formed on that day. The name was chosen for many reasons. A "Minotaur" is a mythical beast that is cursed with the head of a bull and the body of a man. A beast resides in us all, but for a Minotaur, the beast also is apparent from the outside, which is exactly how you would describe the band "Minotar"; a beast inside and outside. The mythical Minotaur is also cursed to live his existance as such. The band Minotar is also cursed to play music in a world that is cold towards metal music as a whole. Yet the so-called MTV world makes our music only that much more harsh. Ever since the formation of Minotar, the band has been pounding out original music. We have tried out many guitarists to compliment our band but none have been able to keep up, have the right attitude or the right music skill. Minotar is dedicated to it's cause. We don't screw around... Our music is our hearts and our souls. We make it, as well as it makes us. Our first demo (of which the songs "Peek Through the Pines", "The Silence Before the Storm", and "Antiquity" are part of) was recorded under very bad conditions. We were nearly broke, we had to rent equipment, and the studio guy had no clue what he was doing. Our second demo, was recorded under much better circumstances, but the money, as always, is still an issue. The new demo is still much better than the old one and we feel that it really shows what Minotar is all about. Currently, Minotar is assaulting the local area with metal. And, we shall continue to do so. This is what we are about!

Group Members Jerry Yeager, John Kraemer, Phil Pollock, Al Fradella

Instruments Crate amps and heads(guitar), Yorkville 300WATT bass amp, Ibanez Ergodyne 5 string bass, Ibanez 7 string guitar with locking trem, Jackson 6 string, Pearl drum kit, Sabian, Paiste, and Ziljian Cymbols, Special wood block foot pedals on Peek!

Albums Ashes Of Creation (demo)

Press Reviews "Funny, why I always thought Minotar was a death metal band and didn't check them out. (I don't usually like death metal). Now I did. THIS SONG IS AWESOME!!!!Yes, he sounds like Hetfield and the song IMO has a Metallica quality about it, which you should take as a compliment :) . And REAL singing melodies, GASP!! An original sounding clean intro is always a plus, and that main riff/theme is just brilliant. Also that whammy bar riff in the middle is really wicked...(long pause)…And the end rocks as well :)Really, this song is basically a masterpiece."-Vortex

Additional Info Contact snare57@earthlink.net to buy a CD!!!!

Location Hammonton, NJ - USA

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