Powermad
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Minneapolis, United States |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
| Products | Thrash metal, speed metal music |
| Website | www |
Powermad is a thrash and speed metal group from the United States, originating in Minneapolis in 1984. They are recognized for integrating elements of progressive and European metal into the American speed metal genre, with complex guitar work influenced by acts such as Metallica and Testament. Vocalist Joel DuBay is distinguished by his unique combination of melodic singing and high-pitched screams.
History
Established in 1984, Powermad initially released an EP containing demos through Combat Records in 1986. They later secured a contract with Reprise Records, under which they launched The Madness Begins... in 1988. This release was supported by an innovative advertising campaign in leading metal publications that included a complimentary cassette. Their music video for "Terminator" received rotation on MTV.
The band's sole full-length album prior to 2015, titled Absolute Power, was issued in 1989. Although they toured alongside Overkill, gained MTV exposure with the track "Nice Dreams," and appeared briefly in the David Lynch movie Wild at Heart, Powermad did not attain widespread commercial success. Nevertheless, their 1980s output earned critical praise and has become prized among collectors within the thrash and speed metal communities.
Following their reactivation in 2007, Powermad began creating new compositions. In 2011, they released the track "Souls Descending" and announced the addition of drummer Dirk Verbeuren to their lineup.
In 2015, Powermad established a new Facebook presence and official website to promote their album Infinite, which was released on October 9, 2015. The recording took place across several studios, with all lyrics authored by Joel DuBay. Physical copies and merchandise are mainly distributed within the United States, while international orders are managed through Electric Fetus, which also offers digital downloads of their earlier works.
As of February 2020, Powermad is actively composing material intended for their third studio album.
Current
- Joel DuBay – vocals, guitar (1984–present)
- Todd Haug – guitar (1984–present)
- Jeff Litke – bass (1984–present)
- Dirk Verbeuren – drums (2011–present)
Former
- Bill Hill – guitar (1984)
- Adrian Liberty – drums (1984–1990)
- John Macaluso – drums (1989)
- Dodd Lowder – drums (2007–2011)
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Powermad | Combat Records | EP featuring band demos as part of Combat's Boot Camp vinyl series |
| 1988 | The Madness Begins... | Reprise Records | EP recorded and mixed at Paisley Park Studios |
| 1989 | Absolute Power | Reprise Records | Full-length album release |
| 1999 | Combat Boot Camp | Century Media Records | Compilation CD containing demos from Have Mercy and Napalm |
| 2015 | Infinite | Pentacat Records | Full-length album release |