Exclusive Artist Interview: TRAUMA
Bay Area Thrashers Chat About Latest Album Awakenings And Tour With Queensryche
Back in the early 80s, a new brand of music was taking shape. Joining the speed and aggression of punk with the double bass drums and intricate guitars of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, thrash metal was born. The Bay Area became a hotbed for thrash metal bands with Metallica and Exodus leading the way. But, perhaps one of the best bands of the day took a backseat to what would become the Big Four and that band is TRAUMA. In fact, the late Cliff Burton was part of the original band lineup, well before he moved on to his days in Metallica. Their 1984 release Scratch and Scream is one of the best thrash metal albums to ever be made.
Unfortunately, TRAUMA disbanded shortly thereafter and it would be a long time, in fact, 28 years, before we heard from them again with the band reestablishing itself with original vocalist Donny Hillier and drummer Kris Gustofson. Sadly, Hillier passed away in 2020 which led the band eventually to new vocalist Brian Allen coming into the fold in time for the Awakenings album. TRAUMA is currently out in direct support of Queensryche on the Digital Noise Alliance Tour and will be here in Charlotte Wednesday night, April 12th, at The Underground.
Shutter 16 Magazine had the opportunity to chat with both Kris and Brian and get the latest details on the Awakenings record and the tour. Click below to listen to the interview in full!
Click Here for Tickets and Tour Information!
Click Here for Latest Album Awakening!
TOUR DATES:
Apr. 10, 2023
New York, NY
Irving Plaza
Apr. 11, 2023
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Apr. 12, 2023
Charlotte, NC
The Underground
Apr. 14, 2023
Nashville, TN
Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
Apr. 15, 2023
Atlanta, GA
Heaven At The Masquerade
Apr. 16, 2023
St Petersburg, FL
Jannus Live
TRAUMA is:
Steve Robello- Guitar
Michael Spencer- Bass
Brian Allen- Vocals
Casey Trask- Guitar
Kris Gustofson- Drums
TRACKLISTING FOR ‘AWAKENING’
CD Digipak
1. Walk Away
2. Ted Talks
3. Death Of The Angel
4. Meat
5. The River Red
6. Burn
7. Falling Down
8. Voodoo
9. End Of Everything
10. Blind
11. Death Machine
Ltd. Vinyl LP
A-Side
Walk Away
Death Of The Angel
Meat
The River Red
Burn
B-Side
Falling Down
Voodoo
End Of Everything
Blind
Death Machine
Photo Credit: Bill Towner
