Origin: San Francisco, California, USA  
Genres: Thrash Metal
Official Site
Last update/review: September 23, 2020

Heathen

Heathen was one of several 80's thrash bands comprising the Bay Area thrash scene of the mid-to-late 80's, along with bands such as Exodus, Vio-lence, Death Angel, and Forbidden, among others. Guitarist Doug Piercy was a founding member of Anvil Chorus, a very popular early 80's metal band that inexplicably never got signed. Heathen's sound was typical for the time and place (that being energetic thrash), garnering good reviews and a steady following but not making it to the first division. The band had numerous ties to other San Francisco bands, as James Sanguinetti (Mordred) was a founding member (replaced by Piercy), Paul Baloff (Exodus) briefly replaced David Godfrey on vocals between albums, and Marc Biedermann (Blind Illusion) played bass on their second album. Several years after the initial breakup of the band, guitarist Lee Altus and drummer Darren Minter were seen in the German electronic band Die Krupps, with Altus sticking around for several albums in the mid-90's.

Following a reunion gig in 2001 (they played as part of the now-famous Thrash Of The Titans benefit concert), the band decided to reform, with a largely original lineup. Their first project is the completion of the Recovered album, a set of covers and demos that was started back in 1991. Recovered has now been released.

Current Members

David Godfrey (David White)

vocals

Lee Altus

guitars (ex-Die Krupps, Exodus)

Kragen Lum

guitars (Prototype, Psychosis)

Jason Mirza

bass (Psychosis)

James DeMaria

drums (ex-Generation Kill, Toxik)

Former Members/Guests

Doug Piercy

guitars (ex-Anvil Chorus, Blind Illusion)

Ira Black

guitars (Consfearacy, ex-Lizzy Borden, ex-Vicious Rumors)

Mike Jastremski

bass (ex-Griffin) RIP: May 23, 2005

Jon Torres

bass (ex-Angel Witch, ex-Laaz Rockit, ex-The Lord Weird Slough Feg, ex-Warning SF) RIP: September 2, 2013, heart failure, age 50

Carl Sacco

drums

Darren Minter

drums (ex-Angel Witch, ex-Die Krupps)



Discography


Breaking The Silence  
1987 Combat
  1. Death by Hanging
  2. Goblin's Blade
  3. Open the Grave
  4. Pray for Death
  5. Set Me Free
  6. Breaking the Silence
  7. World's End
  8. Save the Skull
  9. Heathen (CD only)
  • David Godfrey
  • Lee Altus
  • Doug Piercy
  • Mike Jastremski
  • Carl Sacco



Victims Of Deception  
1991 Roadrunner
  1. Hypnotized
  2. Opiate of the Masses
  3. Heathen's song
  4. Kill the King
  5. Fear of the Unknown
  6. Prisoners of Fate
  7. Morbid Curiosity
  8. Guitarmony
  9. Mercy Is No Virtue
  10. Timeless Cell of Prophecy
  • David Godfrey
  • Lee Altus
  • Doug Piercy
  • Darren Minter



Recovered  
2004 Relentless
  1. Death On Two Legs
  2. Holy War
  3. In Memory Of ...
  4. Hellbound
  5. Eye Of The Storm
  6. Hypnotized
  7. Opiate Of The Masses
  8. Timeless Call
  9. Mercy Is No Virtue
  • David Godfrey
  • Lee Altus
  • Ira Black
  • Mike Jastremski
  • Darren Minter



The Evolution Of Chaos  
2010 Mascot
  1. Dying Season
  2. Control By Chaos
  3. No Stone Unturned
  4. Arrows Of Agony
  5. Fade Away
  6. A Hero's Welcome
  7. Undone
  8. Bloodkult
  9. Red Tears Of Disgrace
  10. Silent Nothingness
  • David Godfrey
  • Lee Altus
  • Kragen Lum
  • Jon Torres
  • Darren Minter
2010 Readers' Album #9




Empire Of The Blind  
2020 Nuclear Blast
  1. The Rotting Sphere
  2. The Blight
  3. Empire of the Blind
  4. Dead and Gone
  5. Sun in My Hand
  6. Blood to Be Let
  7. In Black
  8. Shrine of Apathy
  9. Devour
  10. A Fine Red Mist
  11. The Gods Divide
  12. Monument to Ruin
  • David Godfrey
  • Lee Altus
  • Kragen Lum
  • Jason Mirza
  • James DeMaria




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