HELLYEAH

HELLYEAH is a heavy metal group from Dallas, Texas, formed in 2006 and active until 2021. It begins as a supergroup built around musicians from several established metal bands, with Chad Gray on lead vocals, Tom Maxwell on guitar, Greg Tribbett on guitar, Vinnie Paul on drums, and bass players including Jerry Montano, Bob Zilla and Kyle Sanders. The line-up also includes Christian Brady on guitar and backing vocals in the later period.

Formation and early years

The idea for the band starts in 2000 during the Tattoo the Earth tour, when Tom Maxwell and Chad Gray discuss the possibility of forming a supergroup. Plans stall for several years because of conflicting schedules, but the project becomes practical in 2006, when members have time available to record the first album. Gray comes from Mudvayne, Maxwell from Nothingface, Tribbett also has links to Mudvayne, and Vinnie Paul is known for his work with Pantera and Damageplan. The band records its debut album at Chasin' Jason studio in Arlington, Texas, in Vinnie Paul’s backyard. Paul produces the record, and the sessions take place over roughly a month.

Debut album and breakthrough

The self-titled debut album Hellyeah is released via Epic Records in 2007. It enters the Billboard 200 at number 9 and sells just under 45,000 copies in its first week. The album also reaches number 15 on Top Hard Rock Albums and number 3 on Top Rock Albums, and later passes 204,000 copies sold. The singles “You Wouldn’t Know” and “Alcohaulin’ Ass” both chart on the Mainstream Rock listings, while the title track receives satellite radio play. Reviews describe the album as a strong example of its genre, though not a major departure from the members’ earlier work.

Line-up changes and later albums

After the debut release, Jerry Montano leaves the band. Bob Zilla joins on bass after auditioning. The group then tours extensively, including the Fire it Up tour in 2007, festival appearances at Download Festival, Australian dates, and the Family Values Tour with Korn and Evanescence. A DVD, Below the Belt, follows in 2007, combining documentary material, videos, live footage and studio recordings.

The second album, Stampede, is recorded at Vinnie Paul’s Texas home studio in a relaxed setting with the band living on the grounds while they work. It is released in 2010 via Epic Records and becomes the group’s highest-charting album, reaching number 8 on the Billboard 200. The record leans across rock, heavy metal and Southern rock, and includes songs such as “Cowboy Way,” “Hell of a Time” and “The Debt That All Men Pay.”

Band of Brothers follows in 2012 on Eleven Seven Music after the band leaves Epic Records. The singles include “War In Me” and “Band of Brothers.” The group continues to tour internationally, including dates at Download Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting and Gigantour.

Later period

In 2014, Greg Tribbett and Bob Zilla depart. Christian Brady joins on guitar and Kyle Sanders, brother of Mastodon bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders, joins on bass. The album Blood for Blood is released in 2014, followed by the single and video for “Hush.” In 2016, the band releases “Human” and the album Unden!able. The record includes a cover of Phil Collins’ “I Don’t Care Anymore,” using archived guitar work by Dimebag Darrell recorded before his death.

The band’s sixth studio album is in progress by 2017, but drummer Vinnie Paul dies in 2018 after suffering a heart attack in his sleep. He has already recorded drum tracks for the album at The Hideout studio in Las Vegas. By 2021, the group is on hiatus, with Chad Gray also active again with Mudvayne.

Style

HELLYEAH is described as groove metal, heavy metal and nu metal, with a sound that combines a strong rhythmic base, twin-guitar work and elements drawn from Southern metal and hard rock. Vinnie Paul characterises it as familiar groove with a new sound.