Artist description heavy, riff-laden hard rock with death-metal influences!

Music Style Heavy Groove Rock/Metal

Musical Influences BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTORHEAD, BOSTON, METALLICA, PANTERA,

Similar Artists Metallica, Pantera, Megadeath,

Artist History DISASTER AREA was formed in 1988 by long time friends Harvey Lewis and Laurence Langley in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia,Canada. The addition of Teague Purtell and Montreal's Phil M. solidified the friendship that has given DISASTER AREA the basis of strength that all bands thrive on for success and longevity.DISASTER AREA has spread all across North America. In 1988 DISASTER AREA appeared on " Alfred Hitchcock Presents", a Universal Studios production filmed in Toronto. Three DISASTER AREA original songs were performed in the half-hour episode. "Night Creatures". Since then, DISASTER AREA has supported national touring acts such as Armored Saint, Metal Church, Anvil, Killer Dwarfs, Nuclear Assault, The Poor, Manowar, and Dee Snider's S.M.F. (Twisted Sister frontman).The 1991 self-release of DISASTER AREA's first studio demo "Only in Darkness" received rave reviews nationwide. "This Claw" appeared on the 1991 Concrete Foundations Forum CD and "Reign of Chaos" appeared on the 1992 compilation. The opportunity to perform live in the 1991 Forum showcase had many positive outcomes.The 1993 release of "Shaved", a four song EP, sent DISASTER AREA's popularity skyrocketing. The excitement drew the attention of Metallica's Lars Ulrich, who invited DISASTER AREA frontman Harvey Lewis to audition in Denver, CO as James Hetfield's substitution while his arm healed after suffering burns at a Montreal show during the Metallica/Gun's & Roses tour. The relationship continued when members of Metallica showed up at a DISASTER AREA show in Buffalo, NY.The DISASTER AREA Newsletter, conceived in 1994 by two long-standing fans from Columbus, OH had amazing results. DISASTER AREA has expanded to the World Wide Web with a site consisting of pictures, band bios, tour dates and original music clips which can be downloaded.In 1995 DISASTER AREA started to focus on regional showcases and contests. Their first nomination was the Coyote's/Roadrunner Video Music Awards in Louisville, KY. This has proven to be an excellent opportunity to reach club owners, agents, and audiences. "Slo Speed" was also granted air time on Louisville's 100.5 The Fox radio. DISASTER AREA was once again nominated in the Coyote's/Roadrunner Music Video Awards in 1996 with the video 'Slo Speed", filmed in Cincinnati, OH at Annie's by Tom Vickery and edited by band members Harvey and Laurence.DISASTER AREA has enjoyed many exciting accomplishments in the last 10 years. The dedication and perseverance shared by both DISASTER AREA and their large circle of fans/friends has allowed DISASTER AREA to continue writing, recording, and performing their own music in North America.With over 1200 shows performed in across North America, DISASTER AREA is constantly working on new and better ways to reach the most people. Catch DISASTER AREA in 2000!

Group Members Laurence Langley - Drums, percussion & Vocals Phil M. - Bass Guitar/Death Vocals/Bass Leads Teague Purtell - Guitars, Vocals & "Ferret-like movements"

Instruments Bass guitar, Heavy electric guitar, double-kicker drums, hard rock & death vocals

Albums "DISASTER AREA", "SHAVED", "SHAVED II", "ONLY IN DARKNESS"

Press Reviews Disaster Area - Shaved II by Jim Powell, Snakepit Issue #4Apparently there are a few bands floating around, especially in Europe, with this moniker as a band name. This group of four guys that I'm about to talk about are originally from the cold confounds of Canada, but now base themselves int he Eastern central part of the USA around the Kentucky/Ohio area.This demo has actually been presented to me in a couple of various versions, the one I'll get into here is the officially released rendition which consists of six songs. A few years prior to this Disaster Area released a demo entitled "Only in Darkness", which was definately a more speed metal thrash offering, whilst this here is on the slower crunching and possibly heavier side of things. The first thing that is inevitable here is that these guys are heavily influenced my Metallica (the good old, Metallica), not actually a clone of the band, but a lot of similar comparisons in style and sound.The opening track, "Slo Speed" is just that, a slow powerful grinding composition that will wven have the heads of Doom metal fans banging. While songs like "Purgatory Chasm" and (the Sanitarium like) "Tumbleweed" show a lot of melody, rippers like "S.W.C." and "Indifference" still provide some hints of thrash in some spots.One unique thing about these guys is the way they split their vocal lines up, guitarist Harvey Lewis sings the majority of the lead vocals in a Hetfieldesque fashion while bassist Phil M. adds some verses and backing vocals along the lines of DEATH'S Chuck Schuldiner's gut wretching growls. This isn't the most original thing that I've heard, but each composition here is done with quality and good thought (each run on an average of five minutes or so in length).If you're into "Masters of Puppets" or "...And Justice for All" era Metallica with maybe a touch of Sabbath added in, you may dig this. I'm anxious to hear the newer material from these guys as from what I've heard it maybe sounding a bit more original and swaying from the Metallica sound a bit.

Additional Info Visit Teague's Music Learning Site: http://www.musiclearning.com

Location Chicago & Cleveland, Illinois & Ohio - USA

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