Xentrix
Encyclopedia
Xentrix were 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 had videos for their songs For Whose Advantage and their cover of Ray Parker, Jr
's Ghostbusters theme. They had regular air time on Headbangers Ball
. Xentrix's biggest show was at Wembley
in 1991, opening for Slayer
.
Xentrix had never gained global notoriety, but had many underground performances with audiences of over 2000 to 5000 people, and still do to this day.
In the For Whose Advantage tour they were touring with thrash metal band Sabbat
.
In the most of the shows they were playing as an opening band to Sabbat
.
The Sweden Rock magazine said that songs like "For Whose Advantage" and "Questions" were Thrash metal
classics.
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.
's Ghostbusters
theme, in which the original artwork for the single had an unauthorized 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 when they opened for Bay Area Thrash metal
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.
and a return to Hammersmith
, this time opening for Brazil
ian Thrash metal
band Sepultura
.
, adopting a more progressive style with their music, which was considered by many to be the band's biggest mistake. A music video was filmed for the album's 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 band Tankard
, the band returned to the United Kingdom to play what would be their final tour with Chris at the helm.
and Evile
. In September 2006 it was announced that the band was splitting up with no intention of reforming in the future.
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 of the late 1980s/early 1990s hailing from Preston, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. Xentrix were one of the leading lights of the British Thrash movement. They had videos for their songs For Whose Advantage and their cover of Ray Parker, Jr
Ray Parker, Jr.
Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. , is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.-Early life and...
's Ghostbusters theme. They had regular air time on Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
. Xentrix's biggest show was at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in 1991, opening for Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
.
Xentrix had never gained global notoriety, but had many underground performances with audiences of over 2000 to 5000 people, and still do to this day.
In the For Whose Advantage tour they were touring with thrash metal band Sabbat
Sabbat (band)
Sabbat are a thrash metal band from Nottingham, England, currently consisting of Martin Walkyier , Andy Sneap , Simon Jones , Gizz Butt and Simon Negus . Over the years Sabbat have released three studio albums, four demos, two split singles/compilation albums, two singles and a live VHS...
.
In the most of the shows they were playing as an opening band to Sabbat
Sabbat (band)
Sabbat are a thrash metal band from Nottingham, England, currently consisting of Martin Walkyier , Andy Sneap , Simon Jones , Gizz Butt and Simon Negus . Over the years Sabbat have released three studio albums, four demos, two split singles/compilation albums, two singles and a live VHS...
.
The Sweden Rock magazine said that songs like "For Whose Advantage" and "Questions" were 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...
classics.
Climbing the ladder and Shattered Existence
The band gained notoriety when its demo gained interest, and a 5 star rating from Kerrang magazine. Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner 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:...
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
Sabbat (band)
Sabbat are a thrash metal band from Nottingham, England, currently consisting of Martin Walkyier , Andy Sneap , Simon Jones , Gizz Butt and Simon Negus . Over the years Sabbat have released three studio albums, four demos, two split singles/compilation albums, two singles and a live VHS...
to support the album.
For Whose Advantage
In 1990 the band faced a small bit of controversy/publicity surrounding the release of their cover of Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Parker, Jr.
Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. , is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.-Early life and...
's Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a...
theme, in which the original artwork for the single had an unauthorized use of the Ghostbusters logo (with the ghost flicking
Finger (gesture)
In Western culture, the finger , also known as the middle finger, is an obscene hand gesture, often meaning the phrases "fuck off" , "fuck you" or "up yours"...
a V Sign
V sign
The V sign is a hand gesture in which the index and middle fingers are raised and parted, while the other fingers are clenched. It has various meanings, depending on the cultural context and how it is presented...
). The single was subsequently re-released using a different cover. The track was originally recorded for the BBC Radio One
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Friday Rock Show
Friday Rock Show
The Friday Rock Show was a radio show in the United Kingdom that was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 from 10pm to midnight on Friday nights from 1978 to 1993. Throughout most of its run it was hosted by Tommy Vance. Ostensibly for the genre of rock in general, it was most closely associated with heavy metal...
along with several others which remain unreleased. The band also reached new heights when they opened for Bay Area 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 Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. 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
In 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 of 1991 saw Xentrix headlining a United Kingdom tour, taking out the new band SkycladSkyclad (band)
Skyclad are a British heavy metal band with heavy folk influences in their music. They are considered one of the pioneers of folk metal. The etymology behind the term "skyclad" comes from a pagan/wiccan term for ritual nudity, in which rituals are performed with the participants metaphorically clad...
and a return to Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
, this time opening for Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian 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 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...
.
Kin and decline
In 1992 the band decided to take a different direction with their album KinKin
-Places:* Kin, Okinawa, a town in Okinawa, Japan* Kin, Pakistan, a village along the Indus in Pakistan* Kin, Mogok, a village in Mogok Township, Burma * Kin, Ye, a village in Ye Township, Burma...
, adopting a more progressive style with their music, which was considered by many to be the band's biggest mistake. A music video was filmed for the album's opening track "Order of Chaos" and received some airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, the band would later release an EP of the same name. After a European tour supporting German band Tankard
Tankard (band)
Tankard is a thrash metal band from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, founded in 1982. After losing their guitarist because of their image as a bunch of drunks, they moved on to issue their first record in 1986. From that point on, the band has continuously made songs and records in the same style they...
, the band returned to the United Kingdom to play what would be their final tour with Chris at the helm.
Astley's departure and Scourge
Chris Astley finally left the band after recording a demo of a number of new songs, some of which ended up on Scourge, released in 1996. The band then reformed after a period of inactivity with a new vocalist, Simon Gordon, and guitarist, Andy Rudd. This line up released 1996's Scourge only before disbanding due to lack of interest from the United Kingdom'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 OnslaughtOnslaught (band)
Onslaught are an English thrash metal band from Bristol, England. Initially active from 1983 to 1991, they reformed in 2004. The band initially drew influence from the second wave punk rock bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal...
and Evile
Evile
Evile is a thrash metal band from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Their debut album, Enter the Grave, was produced by Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark and was released worldwide in 2007 by Earache Records to critical acclaim by fans and critics...
. In September 2006 it was announced that the band was splitting up with no intention of reforming in the future.
Final 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
- Carl Arnfield - keyboards, 1992
Discography
- Shattered Existence - 1989
- Ghostbusters (Single) - 1990
- For Whose Advantage? - 1990
- Dilute to Taste (EP) - 1991
- Kin - 1992
- The Order of Chaos (single) - 1992
- Demo -1994
- Scourge - 1996