Vatican

An American power metal unit, Vatican began their career in 1985, but it would be over 30 years before they would release their debut album. Drawing from the melodic, heavy-riffing attack of bands like <a href="spotify:artist:0exvkfkATkqWOJgugTjJhP">Metal Church</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3JDIAtVrJdQ7GFOX26LYpv">Accept</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2tRsMl4eGxwoNabM08Dm4I">Judas Priest</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:4ug41UGuMZzlV2hJOrOqHN">Armored Saint</a>, the group issued March of the Kings in 2017.

Based out of Sandusky, Ohio, the band released four demos between 1986 and 1990 that became nearly impossible-to-find must-haves for underground metal aficionados. Founded by guitarist Vincent J. Vatican, and featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Brian McNasty, guitarist Cole Blacksoul, and drummer Vic Gribouski, Vatican enjoyed some local success before finding a much bigger audience in 1991 when their video for the song "Ride the Lightning" enjoyed a six-week stint on MTV's Headbangers Ball. Health complications ultimately forced Vatican to shut down operations shortly thereafter, but they reconvened in 2014 and inked a deal with Dutch/German label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Sonic+Age%22">Sonic Age</a>, which released Metalmorphosis, which compiled all of the group's demos and a handful of live recordings. In 2017 Vatican signed with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Pure+Steel+Records%22">Pure Steel Records</a> and released their first official studio album, March of the Kings. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi