Seax (band)

Lore & Background

Seax was formed in August 2009 by guitarist Hel and bassist Martin Roche. Early 2011 saw the addition of vocalist Carmine "Blades" DeCicco and drummer Divaldo "Dee" Gustavo, replacing an earlier drummer named Rich. Shortly thereafter, Roche left due to an arm injury and was replaced by Matt C Axe. The band's first performance took place at the Hotel Vernon in Worcester, and their debut album High on Metal was recorded in August of that year and released in May 2012. Later in 2012, drummer Derek Jay and guitarist Eli Firicano joined, leading to tours and festival appearances including Warriors of Metal in Ohio and Ragnarokr in Chicago.

After further lineup changes, the second album To the Grave was recorded in 2013 under Firicano's direction, with new singer Steve "Ace" Hammer. The album was mixed by Firicano and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering, and released in December 2014. A few months after recording, Ax moved to the East Coast and was replaced by Mike "Razzle" Bones. DeCicco later returned to the band. Work on the third album began, again mixed and mastered by Firicano before being mastered by Jason Buntz of Enormous Door Mastering. It was released in September 2016 as Speed Metal Mania, after which the band toured the West Coast and performed at Frost and Fire in Ventura, California.

Reader's Guide

Seax occupies a niche within the American speed metal scene, emerging from Worcester, Massachusetts in 2009. Their significance lies in their consistent output of speed metal with heavy metal elements, maintaining a traditional sound while navigating numerous lineup changes. The band's early association with Raven, a notable British heavy metal act, helped establish their credibility. Their discography, spanning from High on Metal (2012) to Speed Metal Inferno (2022), reflects a sustained presence in underground metal. The band's mascot, Sid Psycho, adds a distinctive visual identity. While not a mainstream act, Seax's multiple tours and festival appearances—including Warriors of Metal and Frost and Fire—demonstrate their role in keeping speed metal alive in the United States. Their legacy is one of perseverance through personnel shifts and a dedication to the genre's core aesthetics.

Did You Know?

• The band's mascot is named Sid Psycho.
• Their debut album High on Metal was recorded in August 2011 and released in May 2012.
• The third album Speed Metal Mania was released in September 2016.