First Blood

Metallic hardcore unit First Blood emerged out of San Francisco's Bay Area in 2002, formed on the side by <a href="spotify:artist:1GVRgPtEC6sZFqvItIk3eg">Terror</a> members Carl Schwartz (vocals) and Doug Weber (guitar), both of whom had also previously played in Sworn Vengeance. Socially and politically aware in their approach (Schwartz is a staunch vegan), First Blood were never intended to be a full-time gig. Yet the band made local waves right from the start, playing its first gig with hardcore icons <a href="spotify:artist:5WCrzTQZ6S6EgebqI57Ilg">Cro-Mags</a>. In 2003, First Blood (at this time rounded out by drummer Nate and bassist Joe) made their recorded debut with a self-titled EP through <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Division+36+Records%22">Division 36 Records</a> (distributed via <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Bridge+Nine%22">Bridge Nine</a>) and played a spot on Syracuse, New York's annual Hellfest. The guys followed up the next year on a split 7" with Philadelphia's <a href="spotify:artist:5Rk9nXVSA2RzBdef3aTJPR">Blacklisted</a>; it was issued through <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Deathwish+Inc.%22">Deathwish Inc.</a> and featured new members Nick Jett (drums, also of <a href="spotify:artist:1GVRgPtEC6sZFqvItIk3eg">Terror</a>), Manuel Peralez (bass), and Kyle Dixon (second guitar, ex-<a href="spotify:artist:6Yu5vzDryHDQVPDlzKUCGU">Embrace the End</a>). Outside obligations with other bands had caused problems and turnover over time, so when Schwartz decided to go with First Blood full-time -- his last <a href="spotify:artist:1GVRgPtEC6sZFqvItIk3eg">Terror</a> tour was in the fall of 2005 -- he needed dedicated musicians around him. He eventually found such stability alongside Dixon, Peralez, guitarist Daniel Fletcher, and drummer Mike Orris, Jr.; the drumming position still remained in flux from the studio to the road, however. Hooking up with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Trustkill%22">Trustkill</a>, the band embarked on an early 2006 tour with <a href="spotify:artist:48ErVeccMDF5UiHA4TdGWr">Ignite</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:67f7GZXNMGRn98lqrtIdrN">Comeback Kid</a>, leading into the spring release of First Blood's first full-length, Killafornia. First Blood's much anticipated sophomore outing, Silence Is Betrayal, was released in 2008, but it would be nearly a decade before they would head back into the studio. In 2016 they inked a deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Pure+Noise%22">Pure Noise</a>, which released their third LP, Rules, the following year. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi