Heathen

Heathen is a thrash metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus and drummer Carl Sacco. The group is known for combining thrash metal with the melodic vocal style and song structures associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Its early reputation grows from its Bay Area shows and from the demo Pray For Death, which leads to a record deal with Combat Records.

Early line-ups and first releases

The band’s first line-up also includes vocalist Sam Kress and guitarist Jim Sanguinetti, but that version plays only one gig in 1985. Kress and Sanguinetti then leave, and Heathen adds vocalist David Godfrey, guitarist Doug Piercy and bassist Eric Wong. This line-up debuts in 1986 and becomes the group’s first stable configuration. Eric Wong later leaves, and former Griffin bassist Mike Jastremski joins on bass.

Heathen’s debut album, Breaking the Silence, is released in 1987. It becomes a well-regarded thrash record and includes a cover of Sweet’s “Set Me Free”, which receives rock radio play and video rotation on Headbanger’s Ball. After touring, the band enters a period of repeated personnel changes. Carl Sacco leaves in 1988 and is replaced by Darren Minter.

Victims of Deception and hiatus

In 1989 David Godfrey leaves, briefly making way for Paul Baloff and then David Wayne, before Godfrey returns in 1990 and takes the surname David White. The band continues to struggle to keep a permanent bassist, working with several players before recording its second album with Blind Illusion’s Marc Biedermann on bass. Victims of Deception is released in 1991 on Roadrunner Records. Compared with the debut, it is more technical, with odd time signatures, longer songs and more complex arrangements. The album also features a cover of Rainbow’s “Kill the King” and the original ballad “Prisoners of Fate” as singles.

That line-up later secures Randy Laird as bassist, with Jason VieBrooks replacing him after Laird dies in a car accident along with his girlfriend. Doug Piercy leaves in 1992 and is replaced by Ira Black. Heathen plans a covers EP dedicated to Laird, his girlfriend and David White’s brother Jeffery, but the group then goes on hiatus in 1992.

Return and later activity

Heathen reunites in 2001 for the Thrash of the Titans benefit concert, playing in support of cancer treatment funds for Chuck Billy and Chuck Schuldiner. The reformed line-up includes David White, Lee Altus, Ira Black, Mike Jastremski and Darren Minter. In 2004 the band releases Recovered, an album of re-recorded older material and cover songs. Mike Jastremski leaves again and is replaced by Jon Torres.

In 2005 Heathen adds second guitarist Terry Lauderdale and plays shows and festivals across England, Scotland, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium. Around the same time, Lee Altus also joins Exodus. In 2007 Heathen plays a benefit show with David White, Lee Altus and Jon Torres alongside Doug Piercy and Carl Sacco, before Kragen Lum and drummer Mark Hernandez join later that year. Hernandez then leaves and Darren Minter returns. The band signs to Mascot Records and records The Evolution of Chaos, which arrives in 2009 and 2010 depending on territory.

Style and members

Heathen is identified with heavy metal, speed metal and thrash metal. Its line-up history includes Lee Altus, Carl Sacco, Sam Kress, James Sanguinetti, David White-Godfrey, Dave White, Doug Piercy, Mike Jastremski, Darren Minter, Manny Bravo, Vern McElroy, Randy Laird, Jason VieBrooks, Ira Black, Thaen Rasmussen, Jon Torres, Terry Lauderdale, Mark Hernandez, Kragen Lum, Jason Mirza, Jim DeMaria and Jason Bittner.