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Sadus

From Alfawiki
Sadus
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1985
Headquarters
Antioch, California
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, compilation albums, demo recordings
Websitewww.sadus.com

Sadus is a thrash metal group originating from Antioch, California, United States, with activity spanning from 1985 until 2015, and a reunion commencing in 2017. Initially formed as a four-piece ensemble, the band blends thrash metal with elements of death metal, distinguished by complex instrumental skills. They are recognized for Darren Travis's unique death growl vocal style and the bass work of Steve Di Giorgio. Over their career, Sadus has produced six studio albums, one compilation album, and four demo recordings, experiencing several lineup alterations while maintaining Darren Travis as the only continuous member.

Greg Prato from AllMusic referred to Sadus as "East Bay metal legends."

Origins, debut releases, and Rob Moore's departure (1985–1993)

Established in 1985, Sadus consisted of Darren Travis on vocals, Rob Moore handling guitar duties, Steve Di Giorgio on bass, and Jon Allen behind the drums. Their 1986 demo tape D.T.P. (Death to Posers) led to two songs being featured on the 1987 compilation Raging Death. Funding their first album independently with producer John Marshall of Metal Church, they secured a contract with Roadrunner Records. This partnership resulted in the release of Swallowed in Black, followed by tours alongside bands such as Sepultura and Obituary.

In 1991, the band paused activities as Di Giorgio joined Death to record the Human album. This involvement encouraged Roadrunner to reissue Sadus’s debut album Illusions under the new title Chemical Exposure. Subsequently, Sadus toured across the United States opening for Morbid Angel. Their 1992 release on Roadrunner, A Vision of Misery, was supported by a headlining European tour but left them without label backing afterward. Di Giorgio returned to Death for the Individual Thought Patterns album and an extensive tour. Although he later rejoined Sadus for smaller club performances, progress was hindered following Moore’s exit.

Transition to trio format, Elements of Anger, and break period (1993–2005)

Following Rob Moore’s departure, Sadus continued as a three-member band and issued Elements of Anger in 1997 with production by Scott Burns. During this time, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Jon Allen contributed to Dragonheart (which later became Dragonlord), collaborating with Testament guitarists Steve Smyth and Eric Peterson. In late 2000, Di Giorgio became part of Iced Earth. By 2002, Darren Travis and Di Giorgio joined forces with Testament’s vocalist Chuck Billy, The Haunted’s drummer Per Moller Jensen, and guest guitarist James Murphy to form Suicide Shift. Hammerheart Records re-released Sadus’ 1986 demo Death To Posers on CD in 2003, adding bonus tracks from the 1988 Certain Death sessions.

Sadus had scheduled European concerts in December alongside Nasty Savage and Finnish act Finntroll but withdrew due to drummer Jon Allen prioritizing his daughter’s recovery following heart surgery.

Despite Di Giorgio’s commitments with Testament throughout 2004, Sadus increased their activity by undertaking a European tour that included Greece, Italy, Sweden, and Norway’s Inferno Metal Festival. Di Giorgio also recorded with Artension and toured Europe again with Testament. In August, Sadus completed their inaugural South American tour in Chile supporting Torturer. New compositions were recorded during September and October before Di Giorgio joined Sebastian Bach for European performances in December. Early 2005 saw him contributing to recordings for Norwegian band Scariot.

Out for Blood and Extended Hiatus (2006–2016)

In 2006, Sadus entered Trident Studios in California to record their fifth studio effort, Out for Blood, which was slated for a late summer release through Mascot Records. During March of that year, Jon Allen performed live with Testament, while Steve Di Giorgio engaged in studio collaborations alongside Björn Strid of Soilwork, Glen Alvelais from Forbidden, and Jeremy Colson of the Steve Vai band.

On November 18, Sadus appeared at Monterrey Metal Fest in Mexico, sharing the stage with acts such as Blind Guardian, Cathedral, U.D.O., Edguy, Obituary, Deicide, and Leaves' Eyes. Although initially scheduled for a North American tour in early 2007 with Destruction, Hirax, and Municipal Waste, Sadus withdrew from the lineup. Instead, they embarked on a South American tour titled 'Fuera Por Sangre,' performing in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia during April, followed by supporting Obituary in Mexico the following May.

By 2009, Jon Allen and Steve Di Giorgio had become involved with Futures End. Di Giorgio later rejoined Testament in 2014 and contributed to their 2016 release Brotherhood of the Snake.

Reunion Phase (2017–Present)

On August 20, 2017, Darren Travis announced on Facebook that Sadus was preparing new material. By October, he had shared studio clips hinting at upcoming tracks. Notably, former bassist Steve Di Giorgio did not participate in this reunion. In November 2017, Travis revealed ongoing work with drummer Jon Allen at his Texas studio and plans to record two or three songs soon at Trident Studios, promising teasers and full releases shortly thereafter.

On November 18, 2022, Sadus publicized a contract with Nuclear Blast Records for an album planned for 2023. Concurrently, they unveiled "It's the Sickness," marking their first new song in sixteen years. Their sixth album, The Shadow Inside, officially came out on November 17, 2023.

On December 4, 2024, Jon Allen was dismissed from the band following allegations and leaked video evidence of abuse directed at his partner who was undergoing dialysis treatment. The footage also documented an unsuccessful intervention by her son. Darren Travis issued a public condemnation of Allen’s actions and confirmed his removal from Sadus. This development left Travis as the sole original member still active within the group. Subsequent to these events, Sadus was dropped by Nuclear Blast Records and removed from an ongoing European tour alongside Obituary.

Musical Style and Influence

Sadus is recognized for their uncompromising approach to music that blends elements of thrash metal and technical death metal. Aaron Maltz of Invisible Oranges praised the band for their mastery in producing polished technical metal characterized by intricate riff transitions and unexpected compositional shifts, highlighting their creative zenith around 1992.

Band Members

Current lineup
  • Darren Travis – lead vocals and guitars (1985–2015, 2017–present), bass guitar (2017–present), keyboards (2023–present)
Former members
  • Jon Allen – drums and percussion (1985–2015, 2017–2024)
  • Steve Di Giorgio – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1985–2015)
  • Rob Moore – guitars (1985–1993)

Studio Albums

Collections

Demo Recordings

  • D.T.P. (1986) (initial demo, re-released alongside Certain Death in 2003)
  • Certain Death (1987)
  • The Wake of Severity (1989)
  • Red Demo (1994)

Split Releases

  • Raging Death (1987) (split featuring Lethal Presence, Xecutioner—which later became Obituary, Betrayel, and R.A.V.A.G.E.—which evolved into Atheist)

Notes

  • While 1984 is frequently mentioned as the year of origin, a band member clarified that the name Sadus was suggested in 1985 by their friend Rick Rogers.

External links

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