Anacrusis (band)
American progressive/thrash metal band from St. Louis, Missouri.
Anacrusis, a progressive/thrash metal band, came out of St. Louis, Missouri. They were a key act in technical thrash metal and were early pioneers in fusing that style with progressive metal. Their albums *Manic Impressions* and *Screams and Whispers* are regarded as classics within the progressive thrash metal subgenre.
The band’s first demo, *Annihilation Complete*, was named Best Demo of 1987 by readers of *Metal Forces* magazine and later appeared on the publication’s *Demolition... Scream Your Brains Out!* compilation. This success earned them a deal with the English indie label Active Records. On a budget of just $1,200 and in under a week, they recorded their debut album, *Suffering Hour*, in 1988. Their follow-up, *Reason*, started to show the sound they would become known for. After touring with D.R.I., drummer Mike Owen left to join the U.S. Navy, as the band had no album on an American label. Chad Smith, formerly of Heaven’s Flame, took over drums, and the band eventually signed with Metal Blade Records.
*Manic Impressions* (1991) was their first proper studio album, recorded at Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They toured 38 U.S. cities with Overkill and Galactic Cowboys, following a few Midwestern dates opening for Megadeth. Back in St. Louis, they wrote new material, replaced Smith with drummer Paul Miles, and recorded *Screams and Whispers* in 1993. That album was their last; the band broke up after its release.
In 2009, the original lineup—Kenn Nardi, Kevin Heidbreder, John Emery, and Mike Owen—announced a reunion for the 2010 Keep It True XIII Festival in Germany. That same year, Stormspell Records released a CD/DVD anthology of early material, including the *Annihilation Complete* demo, other demos, rehearsal recordings, and early live footage. Before their first festival appearance in 17 years, they played a reunion show at T. Billy Buffet’s in St. Louis on April 18, 2010, which was recorded for a future DVD. Also in 2010, they released *Hindsight: Suffering Hour & Reason Revisited*, a two-disc set of re-recorded versions of their first two albums. On April 23, 2010, they performed at Germany’s Keep It True XIII festival. Later that year, they decided to play more shows and worked on new material, but only one new song, “This Killer in my House,” was released, on the *Silver Ag47 – Best of Anacrusis* CD.
On February 26, 2011,
- origin
- St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- genre
- Progressive/thrash metal, technical thrash metal
- years_active
- 1986–1994, 2009–2013
- label
- Active Records, Metal Blade Records
- known_for
- Pioneering progressive thrash metal; albums Manic Impressions and Screams and Whispers
Lore & Background
In 2009, the band announced a reunion of the original lineup (Kenn Nardi, Kevin Heidbreder, John Emery, Mike Owen) for a performance at the 2010 Keep It True XIII Festival in Germany. That same year, they released a CD/DVD anthology of early material on Stormspell Records, including the 1987 demo and other recordings. They played a reunion gig at T. Billy Buffet's in St. Louis on April 18, 2010, recorded for a later DVD release. Also in 2010, they released Hindsight: Suffering Hour & Reason Revisited, a two-disc set of re-recorded versions of their first two albums. On April 23, 2010, they performed at Germany's Keep It True XIII festival. The band worked on new material in 2010, releasing one new song, 'This Killer in my House,' on the compilation Silver Ag47 – Best of Anacrusis. They played shows in 2011, including headlining at the Firebird in St. Louis and the Rock Hard Festival in Germany, which was filmed by German TV. Their last shows were at Skullfest in St. Louis (June 24–25, 2011) and Alcatraz festival in Belgium (August 27, 2011). On July 11, 2019, the band announced a one-off reunion show in December in Missouri to celebrate reissues of all four albums, with three drummers (Mike Owen, Chad Smith, Paul Miles) each playing part of the show. Guitarist Mike Henricks did not take part. The reunion show was held on December 7, 2019, at Delmar Hall in St. Louis.
Reader's Guide
Anacrusis is significant as one of the leading bands of technical thrash metal and one of the first to blend thrash with progressive metal. Their albums Manic Impressions (1991) and Screams and Whispers (1993) are considered classics of the progressive thrash metal genre, showcasing complex song structures and melodic elements. Despite a relatively short original run (1986–1994), the band influenced later progressive metal acts. Their early demo Annihilation Complete won acclaim from Metal Forces magazine, and their signing to Metal Blade Records marked a step into the American metal scene. The band's legacy includes a series of reunions starting in 2009, which produced live recordings, re-recorded albums, and a final one-off show in 2019. Their discography, including the re-recorded Hindsight set, remains available for download on their website. The band's ability to reunite with multiple former drummers for a single show highlights their enduring appeal among fans of technical and progressive thrash metal.
Did You Know?
- Anacrusis' first demo, Annihilation Complete, was voted Best Demo of 1987 by readers of Metal Forces magazine.
- Their debut album Suffering Hour was recorded on a $1,200 budget in under a week.
- Drummer Mike Owen left the band in 1990 to join the United States Navy.
- The band's 2019 reunion show featured three different drummers: Mike Owen, Chad Smith, and Paul Miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anacrusis?
Anacrusis is a progressive/thrash metal band that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. They are best known as one of the earliest acts to fuse technical thrash with progressive metal songwriting.
Why is Anacrusis considered important in metal history?
The band helped lay the groundwork for the progressive thrash subgenre by combining complex, structured compositions with aggressive thrash riffing before that label was commonly used. Their work in the late 1980s is often cited as a formative influence on later prog-thrash acts.
What are Anacrusis's most acclaimed albums?
Manic Impressions and Screams and Whispers are the two records fans and critics most consistently point to as essential listening in the progressive thrash metal scene.
Which labels released Anacrusis's music?
After their 1987 demo *Annihilation Complete* was voted Best Demo of the year by *Metal Forces* readers, the band landed a deal with the English indie label Active Records. They also put out material through Metal Blade Records.
What years was Anacrusis active?
The group first ran from 1986 to 1994, then reunited for a second chapter spanning 2009 to 2013.
More in American progressive metal musical groups 1-24
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