October 31

Heavy metal traditionalists October 31 have steadfastly rejected all available subgenre distractions or dilutions of the style's original sonic tenets, simultaneously earning a devoted cult following and isolating themselves in the process. The band was originally founded in Arlington, VA in 1996 by vocalist (and sometime drummer) King Fowley, of Deceased fame, guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams (also involved with ChainGunn and other underground groups), and bassist Jim Hunter (<a href="spotify:artist:5gVcTeIqerQvuhLbmnUF10">Twisted Tower Dire</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6VXKzxrOgSxJeeTaxCMEiP">While Heaven Wept</a>, etc.), and, over the years, has also featured guitarists Kevin Lewis and Jason Tedder, drummer Dave Castillo (also of Deceased), and, for a brief spell, singer <a href="spotify:artist:1om7asj2bzGtK1YuxIMzgJ">Tony Taylor</a> (of <a href="spotify:artist:5gVcTeIqerQvuhLbmnUF10">Twisted Tower Dire</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7xV96H0RomAbhXwR5PKyO2">Isen Torr</a>). In spite of all these personnel changes, October 31 has produced a relatively consistent stream of independent releases including The Fire Awaits You (1997), Visions of the End (EP, 1998), Meet Thy Maker (1999), Stagefright (live album, 2003), Red Hot (EP, 2004), No Survivors (2005), and a Poland-only compilation named Heavy Metal Warlocks (2008). ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi