Aftermath (American band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Chicago, United States |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Thrash metal music, studio albums, demos, compilations |
Aftermath is a thrash metal group originating from Chicago, established in 1985. Throughout their career, they have produced three studio albums under two different names and have appeared on various compilation records. In 1998, due to a trademark conflict with Dr. Dre, they adopted the name Mother God Moviestar, an arrangement that permitted both parties to continue using the name. The band later reunited as Aftermath in 2015.
History
During the 1980s and 1990s, Aftermath became a notable presence in Chicago’s thrash metal circuit, with their demo recordings gaining coverage in leading metal publications including Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, RIP Magazine, Raw, and Metal Forces. Their demo Words that Echo Fear was recognized by Kerrang! as one of the Top 10 demos in 1990.
Their first full-length album, Eyes of Tomorrow, has seen multiple releases across various labels and continues to attract worldwide attention, as demonstrated by reissues through Shadow Kingdom Records and Divebomb Records. Upon reuniting in 2015, the band performed at Chicago’s Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse festival and Germany’s Headbanger's Open Air event in Hamburg.
To celebrate their 30th anniversary, Aftermath issued a remastered edition of Eyes of Tomorrow via Shadow Kingdom Records on September 4, 2015. This edition included an expanded booklet and four bonus tracks, with remastering work by Paul Logus (known for his work with Pantera and Anthrax). Subsequently, in October of the same year, Divebomb Records re-released Killing the Future, featuring five additional tracks and an enhanced booklet, also remastered by Logus.
1985–1989: Formation and early demos
Formed in October 1985 in Chicago by Kyriakos "Charlie" Tsiolis, originally from Greece, Aftermath began when Charlie joined forces with schoolmate Steve Sacco on guitar. The initial lineup included Adam on bass and Ray Schmidt on drums. This group produced their debut demo 'Sentenced To Death' in 1986, containing tracks such as 'Sentenced to Death' and 'Revenge'.
In 1987, their second demo 'Killing The Future' was released, featuring songs like 'When Will You Die' and 'War For Freedom'. Two tracks from this demo were included on the British compilation LP 'Demolition: Scream Your Brains Out' issued by Metal Forces magazine in 1988. Sharing space with bands such as Leviathan and Hobbs' Angel Of Death on this release helped elevate Aftermath’s international standing.
By 1988, the band underwent a stylistic shift; Adam's straightforward bass lines were replaced by more intricate parts initially played by John Lovette—who joined under the guise of a bassist despite being a guitarist. Lovette soon transitioned to guitar duties as the second guitarist alongside Sacco. Danny Vega then took over bass responsibilities, complementing Lovette’s and Sacco’s guitar work and Schmidt’s drumming. With Lovette assuming primary songwriting responsibilities, Aftermath’s sound advanced significantly.
This progression resulted in the underground cult classic demo 'Words That Echo Fear' released in 1989.
1990–1997: The Eyes of Tomorrow era
Following the international acclaim of 'Words That Echo Fear' in 1990, RoadRacer Records—a subsidiary of Roadrunner—offered Aftermath a demo deal that produced a four-track live recording. However, contract negotiations failed to materialize into a full agreement. Instead, Aftermath signed with New York-based Big Chief Records. Unfortunately, the label's collapse during album production caused significant delays. Facing financial difficulties, the band ultimately self-released Eyes of Tomorrow in 1994 through Zoid Recordings with managerial assistance—four years after initial recording sessions began.
This album has been reissued multiple times: initially on Thermometer Sound Surface / Zoid; remastered four years later by Black Lotus Records; included within Area Death Productions’ 2011 box set titled 25 Years of Chaos; and finally reissued by Shadow Kingdom Records in 2015 as a remastered two-CD edition featuring bonus tracks and refreshed artwork.
Trademark dispute
After losing the prominent legal battle Tsiolis v. Interscope Records, Inc., 946 F.Supp. 1344 (N.D. Ill. 1996) over trademark rights to their name against Dr. Dre, Dre reportedly offered $50,000 to secure exclusive use but proceeded without agreement. This conflict ultimately led to establishing a working relationship with Interscope Records. Following a rebranding as Mother God Moviestar, the band signed with Interscope and released their self-titled electro-metal debut album in March 1998. This case is frequently examined in law schools nationwide for its implications concerning trademark dilution.
Additionally, Aftermath is profiled in Gary Sharpe-Young's reference book A – Z of Thrash Metal.
Discography
Demos
- Sentenced To Death (1986)
- Killing the Future (1987)
- Words that Echo Fear (1989)
Compilations
- Metal Forces' Scream Your Brains Out
Studio albums
- Eyes of Tomorrow (1994) Re-issued
- Mother God Moviestar (Interscope) (1998) (as Mother God Moviestar)
- There is Something Wrong (2019)
- No Time to Waste (The Label Group / Zoid Entertainment)
Re-releases
- 25 Years of Chaos – Box Set (Area Death Productions) (2010–11)
- When Will You Die (1986–1989) Vinyl (F.O.A.D Records) (2011)
- Eyes of Tomorrow (Shadow Kingdom Records) September 4, 2015
- Killing the Future (Divebomb Records) October 30, 2015
- There is Something Wrong (Zoid Entertainment) February 15, 2019; European edition via Sleaszy Rider Records
- No Time To Waste March 2023 (Zoid Entertainment / The Label Group)