Leviathen

Led by guitarist/vocalist Joe Stumer, LEVIATHEN took shape in Bath, PA circa 1986. After a few thrash-tinged heavy metal demos and shifts in lineup, the group settled in as a power trio rounded out by Jay Bybee (bass/vocals) and Jim Vacca (drums/vocals). Following appearances on underground compilations such as Metal Disorder (1989) and Music to Make Your Ears Hurt (1990), LEVIATHEN entered Skylab Studios in Princeton, NJ to lay down their most professional outing  to date—both musically and visually—in 1991's Tales in Power cassette.

With Tales in Power, LEVIATHEN stepped forward with the more technical riffing and aggression of a true thrash band. That being said, the trio pulled from a wide range of influences, thus exploring plenty of melody, ample tempo changes, and all three members making vocal contributions—resulting in a truly unique take on the genre that would only continue to progress over the course of the group's decade-long run.

By the time of their 1993 return to Skylab Studios in Princeton, NJ, Stumer and drummer/vocalist Jim Vacca had been joined by Chris Dinan on bass/backing vocals. The end result was the band's lone self-released full-length, Onward Thru the Fog, featuring nine tracks across 48 minutes.

Onward Thru the Fog proved that through the time and effort spent on crisp production and memorable songwriting—along with their multi-vocal approach—LEVIATHEN had truly cemented their own sound: a unique and inventive brand of mixed-bag thrash metal that was as creatively melodic as it was rhythmically crunchy. The material was so strong, in fact, that the trio started to gain the attention of major labels. Unfortunately, the labels all wanted to mold the band into a more melodic and one-sided approach—a mold that LEVIATHEN steadfastly refused in favor of remaining true to their artistic vision.

Having endured nearly a decade of slogging it out in the trenches, the trio's 1995 lineup was completed by Chris Dinan (bass/backing vocals) and Brian Riffle (drums). The Aggression Returns found the band dishing out eight tracks plus an AC/DC cover for over 35 minutes of a slightly rawer and more in-your-face take on the mixed-bag thrash metal style LEVIATHEN had nailed down with Onward Thru the Fog.  

This abrasive tone was in large part inspired by Stumer's frustration with the industry's lack of appreciation for the diversity of LEVIATHEN's unique approach. After one final lineup change brought drummer Tony Dalmas into the fold, said frustration culminated in a name change to Skumbags and one last recording session: 1996's Sodomizing the Industry. Offering eight songs in nearly a half-hour, the material represented 10 years of D.I.Y. efforts failing to secure the attention they truly deserved, in the face of a genre that was being overrun by changing tides (and trends). While slightly more stripped down and pissed, however, LEVIATHEN still refused to bow to the groove nor grunge that was taking hold around them—essentially resulting in two full-lengths' worth of material being relegated to almost total obscurity.

Over 30 years later, Divebomb Records is excited to present deluxe edition reissues of Tales in Power, Onward Thru the Fog and The Aggression Returns. Newly remastered by Jamie King Audio,  all 3  will come housed alongside a 16-20 page booklet packed with lyrics, photos, ephemera, and a three-part interview with Joe Stumer. For the fans, by the fans!