Genre(s):
Power/Thrash Metal
Lyrical Theme(s):
Fate, Post-Apocalypse, Damnation, War, Bondage
Origin:
United States (Cleveland, Ohio (early, later), Los Angeles, California (mid))
Formed In:
1983-1984 (as MX), 1984-1991, 2003-present
Status:
Active
Current line-up:
Nick Giannakos Guitars (lead) (1985-1991, 2003-present)
See also: Destructor, ex-Twist of Fate, ex-Breaker
Jeff Curenton Drums (1986-1991, 2003-2006, 2015-present)
See also: Kill Procedure, Winters Bane, ex-Spawn, ex-Twist of Fate, ex-Byron Nemeth, ex-Seven Witches, ex-Graven Image
Tim Frederick Bass (2006-present)
See also: Destructor, Eternal Legacy, Vandallus, ex-Decimator
Michael Stephenson Guitars (lead) (2011-present)
Juan Ricardo Vocals (2016-present)
See also: Attaxe, Blind Cross, Ritual, Sunless Sky, ex-Zyklone, ex-Arenah, ex-Ritual of Torment, ex-Torment, ex-Chemikill, ex-Dark Arena, ex-Stryker, ex-Warmaster
Former/Past Member(s):
Wendal Lee Bass (1984-1985)
See also: ex-MX
Andy Moses Drums (1984-1985)
(R.I.P. 2004) See also: ex-MX
Brian Gartland Guitars (1984-1991)
See also: ex-Graven Image
Bob Spizac Guitars (lead) (1984-1985)
See also: ex-Powerage
Colin Watson Vocals (1984-1989, 2003-2012)
See also: ex-MX
John Russel Bass (1985-1986)
See also: ex-Sinister
Johnny "Rocker" Popp Drums (1985-1986)
See also: ex-Dangerous Inc.
Dennis Hayes Bass (1986-1990, 2003-2006)
See also: Beyond Fear, Charred Walls of the Damned (live), ex-Seven Witches, ex-Winters Bane, ex-Iced Earth (live)
Jim Williams Vocals (1989-1991)
See also: ex-Graven Image, ex-US Metal
Matt Harrison Bass (1990-1991)
See also: ex-Graven Image, ex-Blue Steel
Dave Hayes Guitars (2003-2005)
See also: ex-Winters Bane
Mike Cykon Guitars (2005-2006)
Chris Koshock Drums (2006-2011)
Shaun Vanek Guitars (2006-2011)
See also: Eternal Legacy, Sixx, Vandallus, Vanik, Midnight (live), ex-Manimals (live), ex-H.A.T.E., ex-Cellbound, ex-Gravity
Butch Likens Drums (2011-2012)
See also: ex-Lazarus
Evan Gottschalk Drums (2012-2015)
Ron Emig Vocals (2012-2016)
See also: Zone Eleven, ex-Necessary Evil
Live musicians:
Past
Ian Shipley Bass (1986)
See also: Breaker, ex-The Spudmonsters, ex-Civil Disobedience, ex-Concussion, ex-Lovesick
Additional notes:
Not to be confused with:
• Wretch (gothic/black metal from South Carolina)
• Wretch (doom metal from Indianapolis, Indiana)
Pictured (left to right):
Dennis Hayes, Colin Watson, Nick Giannakos, Jeff Curenton, Brian Gartland
Compilation appearances:
"Life" on Heavy Artillery (Cassette, Auburn Records, 1990)
"Reborn" on Auburn Records 1984-2004: The First 20 Years (CD, Auburn Records, 2004)
"I Will Defy (Live)" on Auburn Records 2007 Sampler (Auburn Records, 2007)
"The Final Stand" on The Metal Music GlobAlliance Compilation, Vol.2 (musicgloballiance.com , 2017)
Formed by Colin Watson and Andy Moses from the ashes of Cleveland Heavy/Power Metal band MX. MX split in 1984, with the core of the band continuing on under the new name Wretch, a name which was coined by Andy Moses. After taking the Wretch name they quickly completed that would be their original lineup, by recruiting Wendal Lee, Brian Gartland and Bob Spizak. This original lineup recorded an album-length rehearsal demo, and began building a large fan base by playing alongside Cleveland Metal acts like Black Death, Breaker, Jagged Edge, Sorcerer, Purgatory, Mistreater, Stryker, Cerberus, Final Notice, Shok Paris and many more. After some lineup changes they established what would be their best known lineup, of Watson, Gartland, Giannakos, Curenton and Hayes. This lineup independently recorded an album their own 8-track recorder, which was split into halves and released as two promotional demos, "Wretch" in 1987 and "Mental Wars" in 1988. This lineup was signed to Auburn Records in late 1987, securing a spot on the upcoming "Heavy Artillery" compilation, and the band continued gigging prolifically. However, 1989 brought the departure of lead singer Colin Watson, and he was replaced by US Metal lead singer Jimmy Williams. The new lineup recorded another promotional demo, "Rise to Power", as well as the song "Life" for the Heavy Artillery compilation, before deciding to relocate to California to increase their odds of success. Hayes, however did not make the move with them, leaving the band instead. Wretch moved to Los Angeles, California in 1990, and soon recruited bassist Matt Harris, but it was shortlived, and they split up in 1991. Nick Giannakos moved back to Ohio, while Brian Gartland, Jim Williams, Matt Harris and Jeff Curenton then started the new band Graven Image that same year.
• Wretch (gothic/black metal from South Carolina)
• Wretch (doom metal from Indianapolis, Indiana)
Pictured (left to right):
Dennis Hayes, Colin Watson, Nick Giannakos, Jeff Curenton, Brian Gartland
Compilation appearances:
"Life" on Heavy Artillery (Cassette, Auburn Records, 1990)
"Reborn" on Auburn Records 1984-2004: The First 20 Years (CD, Auburn Records, 2004)
"I Will Defy (Live)" on Auburn Records 2007 Sampler (Auburn Records, 2007)
"The Final Stand" on The Metal Music GlobAlliance Compilation, Vol.2 (musicgloballiance.com , 2017)
Formed by Colin Watson and Andy Moses from the ashes of Cleveland Heavy/Power Metal band MX. MX split in 1984, with the core of the band continuing on under the new name Wretch, a name which was coined by Andy Moses. After taking the Wretch name they quickly completed that would be their original lineup, by recruiting Wendal Lee, Brian Gartland and Bob Spizak. This original lineup recorded an album-length rehearsal demo, and began building a large fan base by playing alongside Cleveland Metal acts like Black Death, Breaker, Jagged Edge, Sorcerer, Purgatory, Mistreater, Stryker, Cerberus, Final Notice, Shok Paris and many more. After some lineup changes they established what would be their best known lineup, of Watson, Gartland, Giannakos, Curenton and Hayes. This lineup independently recorded an album their own 8-track recorder, which was split into halves and released as two promotional demos, "Wretch" in 1987 and "Mental Wars" in 1988. This lineup was signed to Auburn Records in late 1987, securing a spot on the upcoming "Heavy Artillery" compilation, and the band continued gigging prolifically. However, 1989 brought the departure of lead singer Colin Watson, and he was replaced by US Metal lead singer Jimmy Williams. The new lineup recorded another promotional demo, "Rise to Power", as well as the song "Life" for the Heavy Artillery compilation, before deciding to relocate to California to increase their odds of success. Hayes, however did not make the move with them, leaving the band instead. Wretch moved to Los Angeles, California in 1990, and soon recruited bassist Matt Harris, but it was shortlived, and they split up in 1991. Nick Giannakos moved back to Ohio, while Brian Gartland, Jim Williams, Matt Harris and Jeff Curenton then started the new band Graven Image that same year.
Discography:
Wretch - Wretch Rehearsal Demo '85 [demo] - 1985
Wretch - Wretch [demo] - 1987
Wretch - Mental Wars [demo] - 1988
Wretch - Rise To Power [demo] - 1989
Wretch - Demo 2003 [demo] - 2003
Wretch - Promo 2004 [demo] - 2004
Wretch - Reborn [full-length] - 2006
Wretch - Make This Garden Burn [compilation] - 2007
Wretch - Rise To Power [ep] - 2013
Wretch - Warriors [full-length] - 2014
Wretch - The Hunt [full-length] - 2017
Wretch - Man Or Machine [full-length] - 2019
*****
Official site:
Homepage
Myspace
YouTube
Wretch - Rise To Power [demo] - 1989 by Proteus_666
Wretch - Reborn [full-length] - 2006 by anvic
Wretch - Make This Garden Burn [compilation] - 2007 by IronMan
Wretch - Warriors [full-length] - 2014 by Samaritianin
Wretch - The Hunt [full-length] - 2017 by Samaritianin
Wretch - Man Or Machine [full-length] - 2019 by Samaritianin