Biography
Boston based MELIAH RAGE was founded in 1987 under the leadership of guitarist/songwriter Anthony Nichols. The band, consisting of Mike Munro on vocals, Anthony Nichols on guitar, Jim Koury on guitar, Stuart Dowie on drums and Jesse Johnson on bass forged a distinct sound of aggressive, heavy rhythm with searing melodies and catchy arrangements. A three-song demo was recorded which soon caught the attention of two major labels. Meliah Rage signed to Epic Records after only 8 shows. A band playing this style of music signing to a major label for their debut was unheard of in 1988.
The group recorded their first album, entitled Kill to Survive and released a video for the song "Beginning of the End" which aired on MTV worldwide. In 1989 the band embarked on a three month U.S. tour with heavyweights Metal Church. The Detroit show was recorded and the live EP "Live Kill" was released later that year. The band also hit the stage with the likes of Slayer, Testament, Nuclear Assault, Manowar, Overkill and others that year.
In 1990 the band returned to the studio and recorded their second album "Solitary Solitude" which to this day is considered an underrated classic. A video for the song "The Witching" was shot and aired on MTV's Headbangers Ball. A five week European tour soon followed and Meliah Rage seemed to be on their way to the top of the heavy metal world.
The early 90's hit and Meliah Rage like so many other bands of the time were dropped in favor of the Seattle sound. After some time off the band re-grouped with the addition of then drummer Sully Erna behind the kit. Some demos were recorded and shows played over a couple of years but it was becoming apparent that there wasn't much room for this style of music in the early 90's.
In 1996 after a few years apart the band re-grouped again and signed with Backstreet Records. The record "Death Valley Dream" was released and was a favorite with many metal critics.
In 2002 after a long layoff Screaming Ferret Records signed the band and released the demos that had Sully Erna on drums from years earlier. The record was called "Unfinished Business" and that led Screaming Ferret to ask the band to record some new material.
