Xentrix

Xentrix

Xentrix was a British thrash metal band of the late 1980s/early 1990s hailing from Preston, Lancashire. Xentrix were one of the leading lights of the British Thrash movement. They hade videos like For Whoose Advantage and The Ray Parker, Jr cover Ghostbusters. They hade a regular play time on the Headbangers Ball. Xentrix biggest was on Wembley in 1991 as afore band to Slayer. Xentrix never been a big band but hade many underground performance with audience over 2000 to 5000,And they still do. In the For Whose Advantage tour they were touring with the number one real thrash metal band Sabbat. In the most of the showes they were playing as a foreband to Sabbat.

The Sweden Rock Magazine said that songs like For Whoose Advantage and Questions were Thrash metal classic songs.

Climing the ladder and Shattered Existence

The band gained notoriety when it's demo gained a lot of interest a 5 star rating from Kerrang magazine. Roadrunner records then contacted the band asking them why they had not been sent a copy, and arranged an audition with the band. After the audition to band was signed to the label and recorded their first album Shattered Existence in the summer of 1989 and toured with Sabbat to support the album.

For Whose Advantage

In 1990 the band small bit of controversy/publicity surrounding the release of the Ray Parker Jr. cover Ghostbusters in which the original artwork for the single had an unauthorised use of the Ghostbusters logo (with the ghost flicking a V Sign). The single was subsequently re-released using a different cover. The track was originally recorded for the BBC Radio One Friday Rock Show along with several others which remain unreleased. The band also reached new heights opening for Bay Area band Testament. Later that year they recorded their second album For Whose Advantage which gained them yet more interest and their first music video for the album's title track.

Dilute to Taste

1991 the band released the Dilute to Taste EP which had two new tracks from the band as well as a live album. . The rest 1991 saw a Xentrix headlining U.K. tour, taking out the new band Skyclad and a return to Hammersmith, this time opening for Brazilian thrashers Sepultura.

Kin and decline

In 1992 the band decided to take a different direction with their album Kin taking a more progressive style with their music which would be considered the bands biggest mistake by many. A music video was filmed for the albums opening track "Order of Chaos" and received some airplay on MTV, the band would later release an EP of the same name. After a European tour supporting German drinking band Tankard the band returned to the U.K. to play, what would be their final tour with Chris at the helm.

Astley's Departure & Scorge

Chris Astley finally left the band after recording a demo of a number of new songs some of which ended up on Scourge in 1994. The band then reformed after a period of inactivity with a new vocalist in Simon Gordon and guitarist Andy Rudd.This line up released 1996's Scourge only before disbanding due to lack of interest from the U.K's then dwindling Metal scene.

2006 Reunion and end

The band briefly reformed with its classic line-up for a small number of dates in the UK in the early part of 2006. One of these shows included support from Onslaught and Evile. In September 2006 it was announced that the band was splitting up with no intention of reforming in the future.

Current Line Up

• Chris Astley – guitar/vocals, 1985–1994, 2006
• Kristian Havard - guitars, 1985–1997, 2006
• Paul MacKenzie - bass, 1985–1997, 2006
• Dennis Gasser – drums, 1985–1997, 2006

Former members

• Dacaw Hough - vocals, 1985
• Sean Owens - vocals, 1985
• John Brennan - drums,1985
• Dave Catchpole - drums, 1986
• Peter Hiller - bass, 1985
• Steve Hodgson - bass, 1986–1987
• Mel Gasser - bass, 1987
• Simon Gordon– vocals, 1995–1997
• Andy Rudd - guitars, 1995–1997

Discography

• Shattered Existence - 1989
• Ghostbusters (Single) - 1990
• For Whose Advantage? - 1990
• Dilute to Taste - 1991
• Kin - 1992
• The Order of Chaos (EP) - 1992
• Demo -1994
• Scourge - 1996

External links

• Official website
• The Xentrix Story