Tower of Spite
Encyclopedia
Tower of Spite is the second album by Cerebral Fix
– a thrash metal
band from Birmingham
, England
. It was released in 1990 on Roadrunner Records
and follows the independent label release of Life Sucks... And Then You Die!
in 1988. A third album, again on Roadrunner Records
appeared a year later, succinctly titled Bastards
.
A Tower of Spite demo was given to Roadrunner Records
before the band recorded the final release and when the label agreed to sign them, they did a two-night supporting stint of Sepultura
at The Marquee
in London
. Following the album's release, the band toured with Napalm Death
– who later returned the favour by appearing in a guest capacity on their last album, Death Erotica
.
members, Frank Healy
and Andy Baker – ensured that the band kept up with the changes technically.
Cerebral Fix
Cerebral Fix are an English thrash/death metal band formed in Birmingham in 1986. They became members of the UK thrash metal and death metal scenes through four albums, three of which were on major labels before finally disbanding in 1993...
– a thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band from Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was released in 1990 on Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
and follows the independent label release of Life Sucks... And Then You Die!
Life Sucks... And Then You Die!
Life Sucks... And Then You Die! was the debut album by Cerebral Fix – a thrash metal band from Birmingham, England. The band released it in 1988 on the independent record label Vinyl Solution, and followed it in 1990 with an altogether different sounding album, Tower of Spite, following mass...
in 1988. A third album, again on Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
appeared a year later, succinctly titled Bastards
Bastards (Cerebral Fix album)
Bastards is the third full-length studio album from English thrash metal band, Cerebral Fix. It is their second on Roadrunner Records and follows Tower of Spite from the previous year....
.
A Tower of Spite demo was given to Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
before the band recorded the final release and when the label agreed to sign them, they did a two-night supporting stint of Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
at The Marquee
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Following the album's release, the band toured with Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
– who later returned the favour by appearing in a guest capacity on their last album, Death Erotica
Death Erotica
Death Erotica is the fourth full-length studio album from English thrash metal band, Cerebral Fix. It was released on Music For Nations in 1992 and follows the previous year's album, Bastards. It is their final album to date. Guest musician spots were taken by members of Napalm Death, Pop Will Eat...
.
Overview
The DIY skate/thrash/grindcore approach of the previous outing had been consigned to history and the band started afresh with an effort which was more composed, both musically and in terms of production quality – as would be expected from a switch to a major label. Two line-up changes – ex-SacrilegeSacrilege (band)
Sacrilege were a female-fronted thrash metal band from the Midlands region of England. Despite having played relatively few gigs during their existence, Sacrilege are today recognised as an important band; both as an influence on later heavy metal and doom metal bands, and as an example of the...
members, Frank Healy
Frank Healy
Frank Healy was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, UK, he is a former Napalm Death guitarist. Healy also was the bass player for Cerebral Fix. He also played bass in the first live Anaal Nathrakh session for the John Peel show. He is currently the bassist in the band Benediction.-References:...
and Andy Baker – ensured that the band kept up with the changes technically.
Track listing
- All songs written by Cerebral FixCerebral FixCerebral Fix are an English thrash/death metal band formed in Birmingham in 1986. They became members of the UK thrash metal and death metal scenes through four albums, three of which were on major labels before finally disbanding in 1993...
- "Unity For Who?" – 1:44
- "Enter the Turmoil" – 3:20
- "Feast of the Fools" – 5:08
- "Chasten of Fear" – 3:32
- "Circle of the Earth" – 3:50
- "Tower of Spite" – 4:01
- "Injecting Out" – 3:30
- "Quest For Midian" – 5:41
- "Forgotten Genocide" – 2:54
- "Culte des Mortes (Part 1)" – 5:50
- "Closing Irony (Hidden Track)" – 4:27
Credits
- Simon Forrest – vocals
- Tony Warburton – guitar
- Gregg Fellows – guitar
- Frank HealyFrank HealyFrank Healy was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, UK, he is a former Napalm Death guitarist. Healy also was the bass player for Cerebral Fix. He also played bass in the first live Anaal Nathrakh session for the John Peel show. He is currently the bassist in the band Benediction.-References:...
– bass - Andy Baker – drums
- Recorded in June – August, 1990 at Rhythm Studios, Leamington SpaLeamington SpaRoyal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington or Leam to locals, is a spa town in central Warwickshire, England. Formerly known as Leamington Priors, its expansion began following the popularisation of the medicinal qualities of its water by Dr Kerr in 1784, and by Dr Lambe...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... - Produced, engineered, and mixed by Paul Johnson
- Cover illustrations by Mark Lyden