Artist description We are a traditional heavy metal band heavily influenced by the NWOBHM and the US underground metal movement of the early '80s. We like to play with aggression and energy while still creating memorable songs.

Music Style Traditional Heavy Metal

Musical Influences NWOBHM, early 80's US underground metal

Similar Artists Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Jag Panzer, Agent Steel, Metal Church, early Metal Massacre albums

Artist History OCTOBER 31 was formed in the mid 90's by lead guitarist Brian Williams and drummer/vocalist King Fowley (of DECEASED), the band blasted onto the scene with a demo entitled 'Voyage to Infinity'! It was released at a time when 'traditional heavy metal' was beginning to fill the minds of the underground yet again. The band added on bassist Jim Hunter (ex-REVELATION) to complete the band for the recording of the album 'The Fire Awaits You' for underground cult label RIP RECORDS. The album was greeted with a highly praised salute throughout the underground for the attention paid to old school vibe and feeling for traditional heavy metal! The band then added on second guitarist Kevin Lewis and recorded a mini-CD entitled 'Visions of the End'. The 'buzz' was on! It was a limited 500 copy run made independently by the band to introduce Kevin and the bands’ 'expanded' sound to the warriors. It was completely sold out in 3 weeks! This CD somehow bounced into the hands of METAL BLADE RECORDS, who were thrilled by it! Getting in touch with the band, METAL BLADE offered a contract to OCTOBER 31. After informing METAL BLADE that the band still owed RIP RECORDS one more album, the band began work on 'Meet Thy Maker'. This was later released in the U.S. by RIP and Europe through METAL BLADE, who made it a two CD set including 'Visions of the End' as the second disc! Throughout this time, the band was searching for and trying out different vocalists to fit the role as frontman for the group. The band played many shows (including the mighty Wacken festival in Germany in front of thousands of rabid metal fiends!) with either King singing from behind the drums, from the front with a live 'stand in' drummer, or a couple of other guys 'trying out' on stage!!! None of it really felt right. The band moved on into 2000 and still there was no singer for the group. Later that year, Kevin Lewis decided to move on with his life and relocate, taking his priorities away from the band. OCTOBER 31 went on as a three-piece with a live 'fill-in' drummer. Suddenly, it all came together in a flash! Tony Taylor (vocals) and Scott Waldrop (guitar) from the Northern Virginia based band TWISTED TOWER DIRE were contacted to join the band. It was here that the puzzle was completed and the band could 'get on' with writing their next record entitled 'No Survivors' and play out live with a passion. This is where the story stands now. With the next record to finally be recorded in early 2002, and a handful of gigs on the East Coast under their belt, the band OCTOBER 31 has finally gotten their feet planted firmly in place to let it loose, and kill!!!!

Group Members King Fowley(vocals), Brian Williams (lead guitar), Scott Waldrop (guitar), Jim Hunter (bass), Dave Castillo (drums)

Albums The Fire Awaits You (1997), Visions of the End (1998), Meet Thy Maker (2000), No Survivors (tenatively Spring 2002)

Location Arlington, VA - USA

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