IronChrist

IronChrist
Self Titled EP
Background information
Origin	Annapolis, Maryland, United States
Genres	Speed metal, Thrash metal, Technical speed metal, Crossover
Years active	1986–1993
Labels	Restless, Divebomb/Tribunal Records
Website	http://ironchrist.com/
Members	Tristan Lentz Mike Bullock Ned Westrick Scott Treude

Ironchrist is a crossover speed metal band from the United States of America founded in 1986 from the ashes of the punk rock band Spastic Rats. Along with label mates Indestroy, Ironchrist was one of the biggest metal bands of the late 80s to early 90s in the mid-Atlantic region and considered a pioneer of the punk/metal crossover movement. After touring and recording for several years, Ironchrist disbanded in 1993 and members moved on to pursue other musical and artistic interests. In 2012, Divebomb/Tribunal Records Records re-released Ironchrist's entire library in a deluxe edition, available as both CD and MP3 download.

Ironchrist's foundation was forged in the early 80s punk scene in Washington DC. Known as the Spastic Rats, members Tristan Lentz and Ned Westrick, along with drummer Kenny Hill opened for punk icons such as Black Flag and Scream before deciding to part ways with Hill and disband. Soon after, Westrick and Treude met and began jamming with Lentz. Deciding to blend their roots with Treude's jazz background and the then current thrash metal movement they decided to change their name from Spastic Rats to Metal God, before landing on Ironchrist.

The original lineup, consisting of Tristan Lentz (guitar, vocals), Ned Westrick (bass/vocals), and Scott Treude (drums), recorded one demo they employed to secure a recording contract with New Renaissance Records. Taking the best three tracks from the demo, the threesome went to LSP Studios, owned and operated by Lentz's twin brother Les, to record their first EP. Before the EP was released in 1988, the band wrote most of what would become their first, and only, full-length album. Soon after, Mike Bullock (vocals) was introduced to Lentz at a party and joined the band the following day. They re-entered LSP Studios a short month later in November 1988 to record Getting The Most Out Of Your Extinction.

After turning the master tapes over to New Renaissance Records, the band set about touring in support of the album that was to be released in early 1989. However, inexplicably, the label shelved the tapes. The band continued to tour and build a cult following all over the eastern United States, all the while awaiting the release of their record.

In late 1989, New Renaissance announced a deal to open a new label, Colossal Records in partnership with Restless Records and assured the four members of Ironchrist their record would be one of the new labels first releases. By the time the album finally arrived on store shelves, well over two years after they recorded it, Ironchrist had temporarily disbanded. Vocalist Mike Bullock then joined label mates Indestroy who were having similar troubles with New Renaissance/Colossal Records.

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Wikipedia