Deliverance (metal band)

(Redirected from What a Joke)

Deliverance is an American Christian thrash metal band which later shifted more towards heavy metal and progressive metal. Founded by Jimmy P. Brown II in 1985, many members have either stayed in the lineup for a number of years, or left and returned to the lineup. Jimmy P. Brown II has been the only constant member of Deliverance.

Deliverance
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1985–1996
  • 2000–2002
  • 2006–2011
  • 2012–2023
  • 2024–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Alan Bostwick
  • Rick Hawksinger
  • Mike Banash
  • Larry Farkas
  • Jonathan Maddux
  • Matt Winslow
  • Marcus N. Colon
  • Lael Clark
  • Mike Phillips
  • Brian Khairullah
  • Mike Grato
  • Tim Kronyak
  • Chris Hyde
  • John Gonzalez
  • Kevin Lee
  • Ian Baird
  • Mike Reed
  • Jeff Mason
  • Victor Macias
  • Jim Chaffin
  • Glenn Rogers
Websitedeliverancerocks.com

History edit

Early career and rise to near fame (1985–1991) edit

Deliverance formed in 1985 as a speed metal outfit. The band's song "A Space Called You" appeared on the 1987 compilation album California Metal. Deliverance, the band's self-titled debut album, was released in 1989 with Jimmy P. Brown II (guitars and lead vocals), Glenn Rogers (lead guitar), Brian Khairullah (bass), and Chris Hyde (drums). In 1989, Deliverance's track "If You Will" appeared on the Hot Metal Summer II compilation album along with a recorded interview.

Deliverance garnered significant attention in the Christian metal community with their second studio album, Weapons of Our Warfare, in 1990. During this time, the band replaced guitarist Glenn Rogers with George Ochoa. Deliverance released a music video on MTV for the title track of Weapons of Our Warfare. The song was also included on the Intense Records compilation album Hot Metal Summer III Hot Licks - Cold Facts.

During the production of their third studio album, What a Joke, Brian Khairullah and Chris Hyde were replaced with Mike Grato and Kevin Lee respectively. The album did not perform as well, and tensions within the band resulted in the departure of George Ochoa.

Four more albums and first breakup (1992–1996) edit

Their fourth studio album was a major change in direction for the band musically. Stay of Execution went in a more progressive metal direction, complete with new guitarist Mike Phillips.

In an interview with Doug Van Pelt of HM Magazine, when asked about the musical change, Jimmy P. Brown explained:

"I got tired of being labeled 'Oh, there's Deliverance.... the Metallica clones are back.' You know, that got really old. Because in a sense we were kind of ripping them off. But I definitely know that the Lord wants us to be original. I want to be original. So I think it was time."

— HM Video Magazine[1]

While this move did anger fans at the time, others feel that Stay represents Deliverance's best work. Their fifth album, Learn, continued in a progressive direction with new bassist Manny Morales and lead guitarist Jonathan Maddux. From this time on, the other positions in the band changed with increasing frequency, but the core of the band remained Jimmy Brown and Manny Morales.

Deliverance released River Disturbance in 1994 and Camelot in Smithereens in 1995. Camelot was the poorest seller in the Deliverance catalog at the time.

Reunion and second hiatus (2000–2010) edit

After a four-year hiatus, Deliverance resurfaced in 2000 and began recording their sixth studio album, Assimilation, which was released in the following year. Assimilation represented another change in style with a shift towards a more electronic/industrial sound. Deliverance again retreated until 2006.

In 2006, Deliverance reformed with a lineup of Jimmy P. Brown II, Mike Phillips, Corin Jae Scott, Tim Kronyak, and Mike Reed. The band's seventh studio album, As Above - So Below, was released on April 24, 2007.[2] Full length songs from the album can currently be heard on the band's official MySpace page.[3] The album featured a mix of all their past material (musically) with some more modern metal elements.

Deliverance announced they would be releasing a new album sometime in 2010 called The Annals of Subterfuge. This would mark Deliverance's 25th Anniversary. Though rumors persist of reuniting with past members, it became apparent that Jimmy would be recording the upcoming album with Mike Phillips.

Though the group officially disbanded in 1996, there have been fan demands for concert performances and new albums which caused the intermittent reunions every 4–5 years. Jimmy P. Brown II has spent the past 10 years working in the casino industry in Las Vegas, but currently resides in Alabama continuing his career with the casino industry. Jimmy has been quoted as saying: "I moved to Alabama to be close with my family, and to try regain normalcy for my family. Having lived in the fantasy land of Las Vegas for the past 10 years, I wanted to stay in the casino biz, but didn't want my kids growing up the Vegas way".

In 2010, Deliverance played the only show without Jimmy P. Brown II at NordicFest.[4]

Third breakup and another reunion (2011–present) edit

On May 20, 2011 Mike Phillips announced that Deliverance was finally coming to end and would be performing their final show in August 2011.[5] However, by July 2012, Deliverance had resurfaced again[6] and been working on their tenth studio album Hear What I Say!, which was released on September 3, 2013 on Roxx Records and was planned as their final album.[7][8] However, Jimmy Brown had later stated that Hear What I Say! would most likely not be their final album.[9]

Though Brown stated that Hear What I Say! would be the last album, he announced that Deliverance would release new material in 2016. The band, whose lineup consists of former guitarist George Ochoa, former drummer Jim Chaffin and bassist Victor Máciás, played Exodo Fest in Mexico with Silent Planet and Grave Robber.[10] In 2017, the self-titled album was re-released on vinyl through Roxx, and Weapons of Our Warfare was re-released through Bombworks Records.[citation needed] Later on in the year, it was announced that guitarist Glenn Rogers had returned to the band and that Ochoa had departed.[11][12] It was also stated that Greg Minier (The Crucified) would record solos on the album.[11][12] On September 28, 2017, it was announced that Deliverance had signed to Roxx Records and 3 Frogz Records, who released the band's eleventh studio album, The Subversive Kind, in early 2018.[13][14] On October 28, 2017, the band released their debut single off of the album, "The Black Hand", accompanied with a lyric video.[15] On February 20, 2020, the band announced the departure of longtime bassist Victor Macias and that Manny Morales would take the place of bassist again.[16]

By early 2024, Deliverance had once again reunited bassist Manny Morales and guitarist George Ochoa and recruited Phil Borrero as their new drummer. This lineup will record the band's upcoming twelfth studio album, tentatively titled Twelve.[17]

Outside Deliverance edit

After Deliverance, Jimmy Brown started to work on a new project, electronica-industrial-gothic group Fearful Symmetry. The name is taken from the poem "The Tyger" by William Blake. The group has published two albums, This Sad Veil of Tears in 2002 and A Loss of Balance in 2005.

Also in 2005, Jimmy formed an outfit called Jupiter VI along with Brian Khairullah, Trevor Shannon, Mike Reed and Tiberius Ahan. This band provided an outlet for Jimmy to express his love for glam rock, cited influences from Bowie, T-Rex, DA, Iggy Pop and others from the genre. They released their debut album titled "Back From Mars" in 2006 which was followed by "Moveable Walls" in 2014.

Brian Khairullah, former bass guitarist, has since renounced his faith and has unflattering things to say about religion.[18]

Discography edit

Studio albums

  • Deliverance (1989, Intense Records)
  • Weapons of Our Warfare (1990, Intense Records)
  • What a Joke (1991, Intense Records)
  • Stay of Execution (1992, Intense Records)
  • Learn (1993, Intense Records)
  • River Disturbance (1994, Brainstorm Artists, Intl)
  • Camelot in Smithereens (1995, Intense Records)
  • Assimilation (2001, Indie Dream Records)
  • As Above - So Below (2007, Retroactive Records)
  • Hear What I Say! (2013, Roxx Records)
  • The Subversive Kind (2018, Roxx Records)[19]
  • Camelot in Smithereens Deluxe ReDux (2022, Retroactive)
  • Twelve (2024)

Other albums

  • Intense Records Presents: Recorded Live, Vol. 1 (1992, Intense Records)
  • A Decade of Deliverance compilation (1994, Intense Records)
  • Back In the Day: The First Four Years compilation (2000, Magdalene Records) reissued in 2007 as The First Four Years
  • Greetings of Death, etc. compilation (2001, Magdalene Records) (2007, Retroactive Records)
  • Live at Cornerstone 2001 (2001, Magdalene Records)

Other releases

Members edit

Current members[20]
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Jimmy P. Brown II rhythm guitar, lead vocals 1985–1996, 2001–2002, 2006–2011, 2012–present Jupiter VI, Cauldron of Puke, Fearful Symmetry, Sombrance, Eraserhead
George Ochoa lead guitars 1990–1991, 2014–2017, 2024-present Vengeance Rising, Mortification, Worldview, Recon
Immanuel F. "Manny" Morales bass 1985, 1993–1997, 2001–2002, 2012–2014, 2020–present Eraserhead, Fearful Symmetry, The Frydaddy's, Acustyka
Phil Borrero drums 2024–present Eraserhead, Lust Control
Former members[20]
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Alan Bostwick bass 1985 Middle Earth, Open Door
Rick Hawksinger guitar 1985
Larry Farkas lead guitar 1985–1987 Vengeance Rising, Die Happy, Sircle of Silence, Once Dead, Holy Soldier, Neon Cross, Disciples of God, S.A.L.T.
Mike Banash lead guitar 1987
Jonathan Maddux lead guitar, keyboards 1993–1995 Judgement
Matt Winslow lead guitar 1995 Judgement
Marcus N. Colon lead guitar 1987, 1995–1996 Betrayal, Martyr
Lael Clark lead guitar 2001–2002 Sombrance
Mike Phillips lead guitar 1991–1993, 2006–2014 The Sacrificed, Fasedown, Join the Dead, Decadence, Torn, Synagog, Testimony
Brian Khairullah bass 1985–1990, 1992–1993, 2000–2001 Jupiter VI, Kantation, Wrathchild, Vengeance Rising
Mike Grato bass 1991–1992 Recon, Eternal Ryte
Tim Kronyak bass 2006–2011 Join the Dead
Victor Macias bass 2014–2020 Tourniquet, 2050, Ossuary
Chris Hyde drums 1985–1990 (deceased 2015)[21] Vengeance Rising, Holy Soldier
John Gonzales drums 1991
Kevin Lee drums 1991–1993, 2006
Jeff Mason drums 1995–1996 Betrayal
Mike Reed drums 2007–2011 Jupiter VI
David Gilbreath keyboards 2001–2002
Glenn Rogers lead guitar 1987–1989, 2017–2024 Primal, Heretic, Hirax, Steel Vengeance, Vengeance Rising, Once Dead, Lambs Among Wolves, Max Blam Jam, Final Decree, Viking
Jim Chaffin drums 1990–1991, 2014–2024 The Crucified, Fasedown, The Blamed, Once Dead, Sarge Loda, Final Threat, KGB, Lifesavers Underground, Left Out, The Satire, Three Kings, Wretched Graverobber
Live musicians[20]
Name Instrument Years Other groups
John Christianson drums 1991 Shades of Crimson, Worldview, Recon, Lambs Among Wolves
Steve Zcone drums 1993
Corin Jae Scott keyboards, backing vocals 2007–2011
Eli Prinsen vocals 2010 Sacred Warrior, The Sacrificed, Sealed Fate
Junior Reed (former drummer, Mike Reed's son) guitar 2010
Eric Bradfield lead guitar 1995-1996
Studio musicians[20]
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Jim Calvert drums 2001 Jambi's Revenge, Sanctified Sister
Justin DeTie guitars 2001 Jambi's Revenge, Sanctified Sister
Jesse Rivera drums (deceased 2006)[22] 2001
Jeremy Moffett drums 1995 The Blamed, Stavesacre
Jayson Sherlock drums 2011–2013 Mortification, Horde, Paramaecium, Revulsed, Altera Enigma, Soundscape, inExordium, Where Shadows Lie, Teramaze
Jon Knox drums 1993–1995 White Heart
Ian Baird drums 2001–2002
Greg Minier guitars 2017 The Crucified, Applehead
Timeline

References edit

  1. ^ "Deliverance Jimmy P. Brown Interview Rare!"
  2. ^ "DELIVERANCE: 'As Above - So Below' Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  3. ^ "Official Deliverance MySpace".
  4. ^ Untombed (October 26, 2010). "DELIVERANCE to play NordicFest without Jimmy Brown?!?!". Untombed Zine. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  5. ^ "The Last Deliverance Concert". Christian Metal Realm.
  6. ^ "The Return Of DELIVERANCE". Blabbermouth.net.
  7. ^ "DELIVERANCE To Release Final Album In September". Blabbermouth.net.
  8. ^ "Deliverance Announces Final Album "Hear What I Say!"". MetalUnderground.com.
  9. ^ Brown, Jimmy (December 27, 2015). "Jimmy Brown of Deliverance, Jupiter VI (Part 2)". As The Story Grows. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Legendary Metal Band, Deliverance to Play Exodo Fest 2016 Mexico (March 25th, 2016)". The Metal Resource. February 23, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Brown II, Jimmy (September 7, 2017). "Deliverance Rises Again". Heaven's Metal Magazine. Interviewed by Doug Van Pelt. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Beard, Mason (September 7, 2017). "Glenn Rogers returns to Deliverance". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  13. ^ "Deliverance: The Subversive Kind". Roxx Productions. September 28, 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  14. ^ Gatto, Chris (October 5, 2017). "Deliverance - THE SUBVERSIVE KIND". Heaven's Metal. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  15. ^ Jones, Brandon (October 28, 2017). "Deliverancce - The Black Hand (Lyric Video)". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  16. ^ Brown II, Jimmy (February 20, 2020). "Deliverance - 2/20/2020". Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "Deliverance - To Record Next Album In April". Metal Storm. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Featured Content on Myspace". Myspace. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  19. ^ Haifl, Michael (March 7, 2018). "DELIVERANCE - The Subversive Kind". Street Clip TV (in German). Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  20. ^ a b c d Brown, Jimmy (2016). "The Big D History". Jimmy Brown. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help) Retrieved on August 17, 2016.
  21. ^ "Drummer Chris Hyde dies at 50". Classic Christian Rock Zone.
  22. ^ While Jesse never actually played with Deliverance live or in the studio, he was hired by bassist Manny Morales to play for Deliverance while Jimmy was living in St. Louis. The plan was when Jimmy moved back to California, they would regain focus. Jimmy then detoured to Las Vegas and never did make it to California which led to Manny's departure from Deliverance.

Works cited

External links edit