Executioner (band)
American thrash metal band active 1984–1990 from Boston.
Executioner was an American thrash metal band from Providence, Rhode Island, active from 1984 to 1990.
The band was founded in 1984 by guitarist/vocalist Marc Johnson, bassist/vocalist Ari Vainio, and drummer Dan Scannell. Their song "Victims of Evil" appeared on the 1985 compilation *Speed Metal Hell* from New Renaissance Records. Signing with that label, they recorded throughout 1985, and the material was released as their debut album, *In the Name of Metal*, in 1985.
In their early years, Executioner played many local Providence shows. Johnson promoted gigs at YWCA Hall with local punk and heavy metal acts like Gang Green, The Freeze, and Straw Dogs (also known as The F.U.'s), as well as out-of-town bands including Scream, Corrosion of Conformity, and Verbal Assault. They also opened for Megadeth and Manowar at local clubs.
In summer 1986, the band toured in support of *In the Name of Metal*. Financial strain forced them to cut the tour short in Texas, canceling remaining dates. Soon after, Vainio left. The band continued as a trio, and in 1987 they released *Break the Silence*. A successful nationwide tour followed, with shows alongside The Accüsed, Voivod, Kreator, Nuclear Assault, St. Vitus, Dream Death, The Mentors, and Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.
In May 1988, the band parted ways with their bassist and was briefly replaced by Eric Harrison, who never performed live with the band but designed their final logo. Harrison was succeeded by Tommy Flynn. This lineup played shows in Worcester, Massachusetts, and gained international exposure by performing in Montreal, Canada. With Flynn, Executioner recorded material throughout 1988 and most of 1989. Shortly after mixing, the band broke up; the unreleased material was intended for an album called *In Cold Blood* in 1990.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Genre
- Thrash metal
- Years Active
- 1984–1990
- Label
- New Renaissance Records
- Associated Acts
- Anal Cunt
- Past Members
- Marc Johnson / Dan Scannell / Seth Putnam / Ari Vainio / Tommy Flynn
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Executioner was formed in 1984 by guitarist/vocalist Marc Johnson, bassist/vocalist Ari Vainio, and drummer Dan Scannell. Their track 'Victims of Evil' appeared on the 1985 compilation Speed Metal Hell, leading to a contract with New Renaissance Records. Their debut album In the Name of Metal was released in 1985, compiling material recorded throughout 1985. The band played extensively in the Providence area, including shows at YWCA Hall with local punk and metal acts, and opened for Megadeth and Manowar at local clubs.
In summer 1986, the band toured in support of In the Name of Metal, but the tour ended abruptly in Texas due to low-budget strain. After Ari Vainio left, the band continued as a trio. In 1987, they released Break the Silence and embarked on a successful nationwide tour with The Accüsed, Voivod, Kreator, Nuclear Assault, St. Vitus, Dream Death, The Mentors, and Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.
Reader's Guide
Executioner's significance lies in their role as a regional thrash metal band from Boston that contributed to the underground metal scene of the 1980s. Their debut In the Name of Metal and follow-up Break the Silence were released on New Renaissance Records, a label known for early thrash and speed metal. The band's history includes notable personnel changes, including the brief involvement of Seth Putnam, later known for the grindcore band Anal Cunt. Their posthumous release The Storm After the Calm (1999) compiled later recordings and live tracks, and reissues of their early albums by Old Metal Records in 2013 helped preserve their legacy. Though they never achieved widespread fame, Executioner remains a footnote in thrash metal history, representing the DIY ethic and regional touring circuit of the era.
Did You Know?
- Seth Putnam served as a roadie for the band's 1986 tour before later joining as bassist/vocalist.
- The band's final logo was created by Eric Harrison, who briefly replaced Putnam in 1988.
- A posthumous CD titled The Storm After the Calm was released in 1999, containing tracks from 1988–1989 sessions and four live tracks.
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