Formed in ’82 in Houston, Texas, D.R.I. recorded their first release that year, packing twenty two songs into the eighteen minutes of their cult classic EP debut The Dirty Rotten EP. With only a thousand copies pressed, demand caused the EP to be released on LP in 1983… and so was born the Dirty Rotten LP. It was a huge inspiration for new bands at the time and a recording that had the band named the fastest band in the world.
In ’84 they released a follow up EP, Violent Pacification. Then came the release of their second, full length album Dealing With It (1985) saw the band take a distinct metal direction, whilst still remaining utterly hardcore. And so their crossover thrash years began, to a now cult status. Supported by such fans as Slayer‘s Dave Lombardo, who is often heard shouting out to D.R.I. as a huge influence on him.
Their aptly-named third album Crossover (1987), further confirmed their redirection to a more thrash metal sound – with the songs becoming slower, longer and more complex. Henceforth, D.R.I. became the leaders of the “crossover” movement, a style that combined punk, hardcore and metal. Albums followed including Four Of A Kind (1988), Thrash Zone (1989), Definition (1992), Live (their first live album, released in 1994) and Full Speed Ahead (1995).
In 2015, the band made it back to the studio, recording the long-awaited But Wait There’s More EP (released 2016). And once again, this hard-working band began touring the world again for their, pun intended, hardcore legion of fans – many of whom have been fans for nearly forty years! Thrashing as hard as ever, Australia get ready for some D.R.I. mayhem in April 2020!
Coming with D.R.I., for the first time ever Down Under – the mighty Hirax!
Hailing from Los Angeles, thrash metal legends Hirax emerged under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena in 1984. Gigging extensively in the formative years of the San Francisco metal scene alongside bands like Slayer, Metallica and Exodus, Hirax became a steadfast must-see of the Bay Area thrash movement. ’84 also saw the release of their now legendary four-song demo, which became feverishly traded in the underground metal scene and helped them become known and respected worldwide. The band is a solid, early example of the thrash, speed and crossover thrash metal genres.
In 1985, Hirax released their debut Raging Violence to rave reviews. The album Hate, Fear And Power followed in 1986 and they independently released the demo Blasted In Bangkok in 1987.
The band continued their career, with various line-ups and releases including albums The New Age Of Terror (2004), El Rostro De La Muerte (2009) and Immortal Legacy (2014).
Finally, after all these years, Hirax hit Australian shores in April 2020 for the first time!
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