» Updated bands

SonneillonScarificareKoltumLecternCorpsefucking ArtInfernal KingdomTundraUnSunMasachistVesaniaVaderEyefearPegazusRethRuinsPsycropticAbortedThe RamDo ConnectionTsatthogguaBehemoth » More bands

» New interviews

Testament Chuck Billy Brutal Truth Danny Lilker Skinlab Steev Esquivel Flatline Randy Weitzel Anvil Steve 'Lips' Kudlow Lazarus A.D. Jeff Paulick Bison B.C. Dan And Helstar Larry Barragan Arch Enemy Chris Amott Bludgeond George Erakleous Soilent Green Brian Patton Behind the Suit & Tie Robert Bolger Jr. Wargasm Bob Mayo

» New reviews

Hank Williams IIILive in Seattle, 1 September 2012Lamb Of GodResolutionSoilent GreenSewn Mouth SecretsTaakeNoregs VaapenVulture IndustriesThe Malefactor’s Bloody RegisterSkyforgerKurbadsRoyal ThunderRoyal ThunderRandom MulletRemissionBehemothEvangelionBurzumBelus » More reviews

» New articles

Summer Breeze Open Air 2009 preview Kreator live report Winternoise Festival report Skyforger live report Samaël live report Symphony X live report Mayhem live report Summer Breeze Open Air 2008

---

ONWARD
CURRENT NAME	Onward
FORMER NAMES	-
ORIGIN	Billings, Montana, USA
STATUS	Disbanded (since 2003)
FORMED IN	2000
GENRE	Power metal; Progressive metal
STYLE	-
LYRICAL THEME	-
BAND ADDED	2003-07-01, 00:00
LAST UPDATE	2009-01-11, 15:27

Band biography

Onward is a new American power metal act founded by guitarist Toby Knapp from Montana, USA. In the 90's Knapp was known as a guitar virtuoso and was interviewed in Guitar World Magazine at age 18. Soon after he signed as a solo artist to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records. His debut instrumental album "Guitar Distortion" sold well and was given great reviews by magazines. In the mid 90's Knapp left Shrapnel and played in several bands. He even joined a black metal band called Darken and released an EP with them on Defiled Records in 1998. All the way he was writing more traditional heavy metal on the side but he had trouble finding members to form a band.

Finally he managed to find people in his area with similar taste in music and began playing together with Randy LaFrance and Jon Pereau. Around this time Denis Gulbey, president of Sentinel Steel Records, became interested in the band. He helped them to enter the studio and found the vocalist Michael Grant (who had also released a solo album called "Path To Glory" on Gulbey's label) from Los Angeles to make the line-up complete. The band now recorded their debut album named "Evermoving". It was mixed at the legendary Trax East studio in New Jersey (Symphony X, Sick Of It All, Snapcase etc.). The album was supposed to have been released on Sentinel Steel but Gulbey sold the rights to Century Media who signed the band.

The band now started writing new material for their next album right away. They were also asked to record cover songs for tribute albums to Uriah Heep and Savatage to be released this year. Their debut was released through Century Media on January 22nd in Europe (January 23rd in America). They also played at the November To Dismember Festival 2000 in Los Angeles and will be playing at the first annual Power and Progressive Metal Festival outside Chicago this year. Their follow-up Reawaken will be released later in the year 2001.

In late June the band broke up after having been released from their contract with Century Media just weeks before entering the studio to record their third album.

Discuss this band at our forum

 

Former members Add - Fetch
Randy LaFrance	2000-2001	Bass
Jon Pereau	2000-2003	Drums
Chris Payette	2001-2003	Bass
Toby Knapp	2000-2003	Guitars
Michael Grant	2000-2003	Vocals	See also Crescent Shield, Legend Maker

Session musicians Add - Fetch
Steve Plocica		Vocals	On Reawaken.

Buy Onward albums

Official releases Add
2001	Evermoving 8 / 10 Read our review here	Century Media
2002	Reawaken 8.5 / 10 Read our review here	Century Media

Videos

Song: Night

Tour dates / gigs

Click here to search for upcoming Onward tour dates Click here for a complete Onward gig history

Search this site

Newsletter

E-mail address: Subscribe Unsubscribe