Blitzkrieg (metal band)

Blitzkrieg are an English heavy metal band formed in Leicester in 1980. The current line-up consists of Brian Ross (vocals), Alan Ross (guitar), Liam Ferguson (bass), Matt Graham (drums), and Nick Jennison (guitar). Ross is the only remaining member from the band's founding, and the band are now based in Newcastle.

Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg in 2018
Blitzkrieg in 2018
Background information
OriginLeicester, England
GenresHeavy metal
Years active1980–1981, 1984–1991, 1992–1994, 1996–1999, 2001–present
LabelsNeat (1980–1985, 1995–1998)
Roadrunner (1991)
Edgy (2002)
Metal Nation (2004–present)
Members
  • Brian Ross
  • Nick Jennison
  • Alan Ross
  • Liam Ferguson
  • Matt Graham

History

In 1980, Brian Ross joined Leicester band Split Image (comprising guitarists Jim Sirotto and Ian Jones, bassist Steve English, and drummer Steve Abbey), and after a change of name to Blitzkrieg, their demo led to a record deal in October 1980 with Neat Records, a label that was signing many of the bands involved with the new wave of British heavy metal movement.[1] After a single released in 1981, Jones and English were replaced by John Antcliffe and Mick Moore.[1] In the early stages of Blitzkrieg's career they regularly produced gigs in England, but then later split in 1981 before the band's debut album was completed.[1] Brian Ross most notably went on to join Satan, another metal band, along with stints in Avenger, Lone Wolf and Unter den Linden.[1]

In 1984, Ross reformed the band, with Sirotto, and Moore, the line-up bolstered by guitarist Mick Proctor (of Tygers of Pan Tang) and drummer Sean Taylor (Satan/Blind Fury, ex-Raven) to record the Blitzkrieg album that was originally planned to be released in 1981, A Time of Changes.[1][2][3] It was released in 1985.[1]

"Blitzkrieg", the B-side of the band's debut single, was covered by Metallica for the B-side of the 1984 single "Creeping Death".[1][4] Metallica were fans of Blitzkrieg and before they were signed had sent Ross a demo to try to get signed to Neat Records, for whom Ross was then doing A&R work.[4][5]

In 1991, Roadracer Records released the 10 Years of Blitzkrieg, and the band recorded new material which was combined with older tracks on the Unholy Trinity album, the release of which was delayed until 1995 due to contractual issues.[1] The band continued with Ross the only constant member, releasing the albums Ten (1997), The Mists of Avalon (1998), Absolute Power (2002), Absolutely Live (2004), Sins and Greed (2005), and Theatre of the Damned (2007).

After a six-year gap, the band returned in 2013 with the album Back from Hell. A re-recorded and expanded version of A Time of Changes was released in 2015 to celebrate 30 years since the original release.[6] The band's latest album, Judge Not!, was released in 2018,[7] with an EP, Loud and Proud, following in 2019.

Band members
The band in 2017

Current
  • Brian Ross – vocals (1980–1981, 1984–1991, 1992–1994, 1996–1999, 2001–present)
  • Alan Ross – guitars (2012–present)
  • Liam Ferguson – bass (2019–present)
  • Matt Graham – drums (2015–present)
  • Nick Jennison – guitars (2020–present)

Former

Timeline

Discography
Blitzkrieg performing in 2008
Title Released
Buried Alive / Blitzkrieg 1981 (single)
A Time of Changes 1985
Ten Years of Blitzkrieg 1991 (EP)
Unholy Trinity 1995
Ten 1996 (1991 EP + new songs)
The Mists of Avalon 1998
Absolute Power 2002
Absolutely Live 2004 (live album)
Sins and Greed 2005
Theatre of the Damned 2007
Back from Hell 2013
A Time of Changes 30th Anniversary 2015
Judge Not 2018
Loud and Proud (EP) 2019

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blitzkrieg.

References
  1. Rivadavia, Eduardo "Blitzkrieg Biography", AllMusic. Retrieved 5 September 2020
  2. Stratmann, Holger "A Time of Changes Review", Rock Hard. Retrieved 5 September 2020
  3. Phillips, William & Cogan, Brian (2008) Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music, Greenwood Press, ISBN 978-0313348006, pp. 37–38
  4. Daniels, Neil (2012) Metallica: The Early Years And The Rise Of Metal, Independent Music Press, ISBN 978-1906191214
  5. Butcher, Joanne (2011) "Geordie rockers Blitzkrieg tell how they inspired Metallica", Chroniclelive.co.uk, 7 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2020
  6. McIntyre, Ken (2015) "Blitzkrieg: A Time Of Changes: (30th Anniversary Edition)", Classic Rock, 30 October 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2020
  7. Barton, Jeff (2018) "Blitzkrieg Judge Not!", Classic Rock, 1 May 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020 via Pressreader.com
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