Something truly wicked this way comes! East Coast metal is alive and well as the New Jersey based quartet PIERCED have just completed their first full length album, “Cheers to Brutality,” which was released independently in March of this year. PIERCED embellishes the power and integrity of old school thrash metal adding their unique blend of thunderous vocals, riveting guitar mastery, brutal power bass, and a relentless drum assault. The result is a sonic experience perhaps best described as an amplified and rejuvenated interpretation of combat metal with groove. Working class ethics, pride in their roots,, and a defiant demeanor personify the boys of PIERCED and their music conveys the essence of these values with a roar! The album was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Mike Orlando (“Adrenaline Mob”) at his state-of-the-art Sonic Stomp Studio in New York.
PIERCED was formed in August 2017 with former members of NJ local bands Division 1.1, Lion-Hearted and Freak of the Day. The band was the brainchild of vocalist Rob Middleton and guitarist John Barone, who immediately began writing aggressive, groove style metal with blistering vocals and riffs. The two fortuitously found the perfect drummer in Joe D’Aqui, whose punishing drum attack and ability to change tempos from groove to all out chaos was just what they were looking for. Bassist Mike Thomas completed the lineup, and the band was off and running.
In mid-2018, PIERCED recorded an 8-song offering with Eric Rachel of Trax East Studios in South River, NJ. It was recorded live with full takes, no digital wizardry or “punch-ins!” Seven of the songs on that album were re-recorded and are included on Cheers. In 2019, PIERCED opened for RATT at the BergenPac Center and despite the polarity of the two bands, PIERCED received a standing ovation, earning the respect of the Ratt audience; a tribute to the power of their live show and their ability to win over crowds of all types.
In late 2020, PIERCED were approached by renowned guitarist/producer MIke Orlando, who had come to know PIERCED through mutual friends and members of the Old Bridge Metal Militia, with an invitation to work together. Mike wanted to capture the high energy of PIERCED’s live show and give their sound some creative enhancements. Midway through the recording process bass player Mike Thomas left the band and was quickly replaced by Pete Rizzi of rock band Who on Earth. Despite several Covid related delays, the energized band and their fearless producer forged on, and the album will be finished in late September. “Cheers to Brutality” is a 13-song collection that is guaranteed to keep your horns in the air from start to finish with no filler and no ballads! It is metal, loud and proud, raw and powerful! Pete’s commitments with Who On Earth and Boiler Room became overwhelming in late 2023, so he was replaced by Marc Gambino, bassist and vocalist of Lion-Hearted. Marc brings serious groove, low end and technical complexity to the band, and a 5 year history with drummer Joe D’Aqui to form a tight and flowing rhythm section. Rafael “Riffy” Rivera joined the band shortly after Marc as it seemed like a natural extension to the band with his amazing technical abilities and history with Joe and Marc in Lion-Hearted. We can confindently say that 2024 and on will be great years of new videos and live performance with an un-matched energy!
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