Hand of Fire is an American thrash metal band that originated in California. The project was initially formed in 2010 as a collaboration between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath) before evolving into a full band in 2015 under Settle's leadership. After signing with Rottweiler Records in 2016, they released their critically acclaimed debut album Nuclear Sunrise in 2017. The band has undergone several lineup changes throughout their career, notably including brief stints with former Testament bassist Greg Christian and Jungle Rot drummer Jason Borton. As of 2024, the band consists of Jim Settle (vocals), Tiago Souza (lead guitar), Forrest Nelson (rhythm guitar), Scotty McRib (bass, backing vocals), and Gary Neff (drums). Their sound has been characterized as a modern take on thrash metal, drawing influences from both classic and contemporary metal styles.[1][2]
Hand of Fire | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Concord, California |
| Genres | Thrash metal |
| Years active | 2015-present |
| Labels | Rottweiler |
| Members | Jim Settle Tiago Souza Gary Neff Forrest Nelson Scotty McRib |
| Past members | Corey Steger Tom Eaton Jason Borton Greg Christian Marcel Eaton Bill Davies |
| Website | handoffire |
Background
editHand of Fire emerged in 2010 as a collaborative project between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath).[3] The duo began writing and recording material, which caught the attention of Rottweiler Records, who offered them a contract.[3] However, geographical constraints led to Steger's departure, prompting Settle to establish an official lineup featuring members from his other project, Bore.[4]
By 2015, Hand of Fire had evolved into a fully-realized vision under Settle's leadership.[1] The band officially signed with Rottweiler Records in May 2016,[5][6] with a lineup consisting of vocalist Jim Settle, guitarist Tiago Souza, bassist Tom Eaton, and drummer Bill Davies. Their debut album, initially titled Let the Killings Begin, was scheduled for release in December 2016.[7] The band released a lyric video for the title track,[2][8] and ultimately released their debut album, retitled Nuclear Sunrise, on November 17, 2017, to critical acclaim.[9][10][11]
On August 24, 2018, the band premiered their new track "World of Deception" on The Covenant Metal Show through Reanimated Radio. The band underwent significant lineup changes in March 2019, with bassist Tom Eaton and drummer Bill Davies departing, replaced by Greg Christian (ex-Testament) and Jason Borton (Jungle Rot, Kataklysm) respectively.[12] By March 2020, the lineup shifted again, with Davies returning to the band and Marcel Eaton, formerly of Trauma, joining as the new bassist, replacing Borton and Christian.[13] Tragically, founding member Corey Steger passed away in a car accident on March 17, 2021.[14]
Members
edit| Name | Instrument | Years | Other groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Settle | vocals | 2010–present | Tantrum of the Muse, Once Dead, Vengeance Rising, Slag, Bore, Intercessor |
| Tiago James Souza | guitar | 2015–present | Bore, Perpetual Paranoia,[15] Through the Clouds, Godman, The Thomas Thompson Earth Project |
| Gary Neff | drums | 2024-present | Power Shift |
| Forrest Nelson | rhythm guitar | 2024-present | |
| Scotty McRib | bass, backing vocals | 2024-present | Almost Dead, WarTroll, Gurschach, Karmic Debt |
| Name | Instrument | Years | Other groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corey Steger | guitar | 2010-2015 (died 2021)[14] | Underoath, Symmetry Point |
| Tom Eaton | bass | 2015-2018 | Bomb and Scary, Something Left Unsaid, Bore |
| Greg Christian | bass | 2019–2020 | Testament, Trauma, HavocHate, Fallen Trinity, Wreck-Defy, Legacy, Meshiaak |
| Jason Borton | drums | 2019–2020 | Jungle Rot, Kataklysm, Throne of Awful Splendor, Treasonist, Thanatopsis, Where Lovers Rot, Seized of Darkness, Velaraas, Zorakarer, Arkaik, Mortal Plague, Beyond the Red Horizon, Nocturnal Plague, Zero Divide |
| Marcel Eaton | bass | 2020–2024 | Trauma, Discordia, Serpent & Seraph |
| Bill Davies | drums | 2015-2019, 2020–2023 | Chürchfield, Bore |
- Timeline
Discography
editDemo
- Let the Killings Begin (2016)
Studio albums
Singles
- "Let the Killings Begin" (2016)
- "Deck the Angels" (2016)
- "The Prophecy" (2017)
- "World of Deception" (2018)
Compilation appearances
- The Bearded Dragon's Sampler: Third Times a Charm (2017; The Bearded Dragon Productions)
- The Pack Vol. 1 (2017; Rottweiler)
References
edit- ^ a b Pirtle, Dave (May 2016). "5Q5A - Hand of Fire". Lastrit.es. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Stagg, David (October 28, 2016). "HM PREMIERE: Hand of Fire drops new lyric video for "Let the Killings Begin"". HM Magazine. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
- ^ a b Settle, Jim (September 19, 2016). "Interview: Hand of Fire". Interviewed by Mace Beard. The Bearded Dragon. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
- ^ Hand of Fire on Facebook
- ^ DarcyRumble (May 18, 2016). "Rottweiler Records Releases Teaser Of New Thrash Signing Hand Of Fire". Giants in the Sound. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Rottweiler Records (May 13, 2016). "Rottweiler Records announcement". Facebook. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Beard, Mason (October 17, 2016). "Rottweiler Records Announce Release Date for Hand of Fire's Let the Killings Begin". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ Beard, Mason (October 28, 2016). "Hand of Fire Dropped "Let the Killings Begin" Lyric Video". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b Moore, Bruce (October 5, 2017). "Hand of Fire - "Nuclear Sunrise"". Pure Grain Audio. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Sullivan, Christan (October 2, 2017). "Nuclear Sunrise - Hand Of Fire Review" (PDF). The Metal Resource. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Beard, Mason (November 17, 2017). "Album Review: Hand of Fire - Nuclear Sunrise". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ Sullivan, Christian (March 10, 2019). "Change Of Direction For Hand Of Fire". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- ^ Sullivan, Christian (March 3, 2020). "Hand Of Fire and New Line-Up". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Dowd, Rachel (March 19, 2021). "Former Underoath Guitarist Corey Steger Has Died In A Car Accident". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "'Perpetual Paranoia' – An International Collaboration Between 'Dale Thompson' (Bride) & 'Tiago James De Souza' (Hand of Fire)". The Metal Resource. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Settle, Jim (April 12, 2015). "Jim Settle (Tantrum Of The Muse)". Interviewed by Stephen Sarro and Trav Turner. As the Story Grows. Retrieved July 10, 2016.