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Nitro was an American heavy metal band from Hollywood,
California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. Formed in 1988, the group originally featured vocalist
Jim Gillette James "Jim" Gillette (born November 10, 1967) is an American singer, notable for being the frontman of glam metal band Nitro. Originally a member of the band Tuff, Gillette released a solo album in 1987 and then formed Nitro with guitarist Mi ...
, guitarist
Michael Angelo Batio Michael Angelo Batio (), also known as Michael Angelo, Mike Batio or MAB, is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. He was the lead guitarist for the Los Angeles-based glam metal band Nitro (b ...
, bassist
T. J. Racer T.J. Racer (born Anthony Brehmer) is a bassist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Racer was the original bass player for glam metal band Nitro, and appeared their first album, '' O.F.R.''. Racer appeared in their first two videos for the songs ''Frei ...
and drummer Bobby Rock. Nitro released its debut album '' O.F.R.'' in 1989, which reached number 140 on the US ''Billboard'' 200. Rock was replaced by K. C. Comet for the album's tour and Racer would leave the band thereafter. '' Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S.'', released in 1992, featured Ralph Carter on bass and Johnny Thunder on drums. The group broke up in 1993, with a number of previously unreleased demo recordings issued on the 1999 album ''
Gunnin' for Glory ''Gunnin' for Glory'' is a compilation album by American glam metal band Nitro, consisting of older demos from the '' O.F.R.'' and '' H.W.D.W.S.'' sessions, as well as three tracks by Batio's former band, the Michael Angelo Band. Track listing ...
''. In late 2016, it was announced that Gillette and Batio had reformed the band, with
Lamb of God Lamb of God ( el, Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Amnòs toû Theoû; la, Agnus Dei, ) is a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God wh ...
drummer
Chris Adler Christopher James Adler (born November 23, 1972) is an American musician, best known as the founder and longtime drummer of heavy metal band Lamb of God from 1994 to 2019, and of Megadeth from 2015 to 2016. Adler played drums on Megadeth's f ...
added to the group's lineup. Plans were made to record a third album – which would have been the band's first full-length studio album since 1992 – with
Victor Wooten Victor Lemonte Wooten (born September 11, 1964) is an American bassist, songwriter, and record producer. He has been the bassist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since the group's formation in 1988 and a member of the band SMV with two other ...
on bass and
Kane Churko Kane Gregory Churko (born January 20, 1986) is a Canadian record producer, sound engineer, songwriter and musician best known for his work with artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Cory Marks, Modern Science (band), Modern Science, Five F ...
producing.
Matt DeVries Matthew DeVries (born January 28, 1977) is the former rhythm guitarist in the heavy metal band Chimaira and the former bassist in the metal band Fear Factory. During his time with Chimaira, he, along with Rob Arnold (the lead guitarist) and M ...
performed in place of Wooten at live shows. In 2017, "It Won't Die" was released as the lead single from the album. However, Batio announced in May 2019 that the band had once again split up, but added that some of the material from the abandoned third album would surface on his next solo release.


History


1987–1993: Formation and first two releases

In 1987, vocalist
Jim Gillette James "Jim" Gillette (born November 10, 1967) is an American singer, notable for being the frontman of glam metal band Nitro. Originally a member of the band Tuff, Gillette released a solo album in 1987 and then formed Nitro with guitarist Mi ...
released his debut solo album ''Proud to Be Loud'', which featured contributions from guitarist
Michael Angelo Batio Michael Angelo Batio (), also known as Michael Angelo, Mike Batio or MAB, is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. He was the lead guitarist for the Los Angeles-based glam metal band Nitro (b ...
and bassist
T. J. Racer T.J. Racer (born Anthony Brehmer) is a bassist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Racer was the original bass player for glam metal band Nitro, and appeared their first album, '' O.F.R.''. Racer appeared in their first two videos for the songs ''Frei ...
, the three of whom would later go on to form Nitro. Gillette and Batio had initially met at a beach party, while Racer was introduced to the singer as an attendee of one of his instructional vocal courses. Former
Vinnie Vincent Invasion Vinnie Vincent Invasion was an American glam metal band, formed in 1984 by former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent. History Forming the band in 1984, Vinnie Vincent recruited bassist Dana Strum, who had served as a talent scout in L.A., recruiting ...
drummer Bobby Rock joined the band shortly thereafter. Speaking about joining the band, Rock recalled that Gillette and Batio recruited him by explaining that they "wanted to record the most over-the-top, in-your-face metal record ever". Nitro signed with
Rhino Entertainment Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company founded in 1978. It is currently the catalog division for Warner Music Group. Its current CEO is Mark Pinkus. History Founded in 1978, Rhino was original ...
record label Rampage Records after their first show, at which Gillette "reportedly shattered three wine glasses with his voice". Gillette, Batio, Racer and Rock recorded the first Nitro album at Front Page Productions in
Costa Mesa, California Costa Mesa (; Spanish for "Table Coast") is a city in Orange County, California. Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to an urban area including part of the South Coast Plaza–John Wa ...
with producer and engineer Charlie Watts. The album was released in 1989 and spent nine weeks on the US ''Billboard'' 200, peaking at number 140. Shortly after the recording of the album, Rock left Nitro to join
Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...
, with K. C. Comet replacing him for the album's promotional
concert tour A concert tour (or simply tour) is a series of concerts by an artist or group of artists in different cities, countries or locations. Often concert tours are named to differentiate different tours by the same artist and to associate a specific to ...
(he also appeared in the
music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
s for the singles "
Freight Train Rail freight transport is the use of railroads and trains to transport cargo as opposed to human passengers. A freight train, cargo train, or goods train is a group of freight cars (US) or goods wagons (International Union of Railways) haul ...
" and "Long Way from Home"). After the tour, Comet was replaced by Johnny Thunder while Ralph Carter was brought in after Racer's departure. The band released its second album '' Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S.'' in 1992, which featured a
cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...
of
Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American rock musician and activist. He initially gained fame as the lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Amboy Dukes, a band formed in 1963 that played psychedelic rock an ...
's "
Cat Scratch Fever ''Cat Scratch Fever'' is the third studio album by American rock musician Ted Nugent. It was released on May 13, 1977, by Epic Records. Vocalist Derek St. Holmes, who had left the band during the recording of the album ''Free-for-All'', had com ...
" as its sole single, before breaking up the following year. After Nitro's breakup, a number of previously unreleased demo recordings were issued on the compilation ''
Gunnin' for Glory ''Gunnin' for Glory'' is a compilation album by American glam metal band Nitro, consisting of older demos from the '' O.F.R.'' and '' H.W.D.W.S.'' sessions, as well as three tracks by Batio's former band, the Michael Angelo Band. Track listing ...
'', released on Batio's record label M.A.C.E. Music in 1999. In the subsequent years, there were occasional comments from Gillette and Batio hinting at a potential reformation of the band. In 2008, when asked at Rocklahoma festival about the possibility of a return for the group, Gillette commented that "It would be great to do; maybe next year", adding that "It would take about six months to get back to where I would like it to be vocally." However, Batio responded later in the year by revealing that he did not want to reform the band as Gillette was only interested in writing new material, not performing the band's old songs, which the guitarist explained would "not be the same".


2016–2019: Return and cancelled third album

On November 30, 2016, it was announced that Gillette and Batio were set to reform Nitro with then-
Lamb of God Lamb of God ( el, Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Amnòs toû Theoû; la, Agnus Dei, ) is a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God wh ...
drummer
Chris Adler Christopher James Adler (born November 23, 1972) is an American musician, best known as the founder and longtime drummer of heavy metal band Lamb of God from 1994 to 2019, and of Megadeth from 2015 to 2016. Adler played drums on Megadeth's f ...
. Speaking about the potential style of the band's new material, Adler commented that "I'm blown away by the modern sound and groove in the material. The chaos has been harnessed and it's incredibly heavy." The trio began recording for a new album the following month with engineer Josh Wilbur.
Victor Wooten Victor Lemonte Wooten (born September 11, 1964) is an American bassist, songwriter, and record producer. He has been the bassist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since the group's formation in 1988 and a member of the band SMV with two other ...
was later enlisted as the bassist for the recording of the album, followed by producer and songwriter
Kane Churko Kane Gregory Churko (born January 20, 1986) is a Canadian record producer, sound engineer, songwriter and musician best known for his work with artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Cory Marks, Modern Science (band), Modern Science, Five F ...
. Batio commented on the direction of the group's new recordings in February 2017, suggesting that it would feature more
death metal Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...
than the glam for which the band was previously known, owing to Gillette's changed vocal style. "It Won't Die" was released as the band's first new song since 1999 on July 25. In September, the reunited band performed its first string of concerts on an Indian tour in September 2017, with
Matt DeVries Matthew DeVries (born January 28, 1977) is the former rhythm guitarist in the heavy metal band Chimaira and the former bassist in the metal band Fear Factory. During his time with Chimaira, he, along with Rob Arnold (the lead guitarist) and M ...
joining as the touring bassist. In a May 2019 interview, Batio announced that Nitro had once again broken up. When asked about the status of the band's slated third album, he said, "It's gone ... we just can't go back ... after we did a few songs, we did a tour together, we all realized". The guitarist later added, "I'm best friends with Jim Gillette – we're like brothers. We never had an argument, even back in the old days", as well as assuring fans that some of the material recorded with Adler and Wooten would surface on his next solo release, due later in the year.


Members

Former members *
Jim Gillette James "Jim" Gillette (born November 10, 1967) is an American singer, notable for being the frontman of glam metal band Nitro. Originally a member of the band Tuff, Gillette released a solo album in 1987 and then formed Nitro with guitarist Mi ...
– vocals *
Michael Angelo Batio Michael Angelo Batio (), also known as Michael Angelo, Mike Batio or MAB, is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. He was the lead guitarist for the Los Angeles-based glam metal band Nitro (b ...
– guitars, keyboards, backing vocals *
T. J. Racer T.J. Racer (born Anthony Brehmer) is a bassist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Racer was the original bass player for glam metal band Nitro, and appeared their first album, '' O.F.R.''. Racer appeared in their first two videos for the songs ''Frei ...
– bass *Bobby Rock – drums *K. C. Comet – drums *Ralph Carter – bass, backing vocals *Johnny Thunder – drums *
Chris Adler Christopher James Adler (born November 23, 1972) is an American musician, best known as the founder and longtime drummer of heavy metal band Lamb of God from 1994 to 2019, and of Megadeth from 2015 to 2016. Adler played drums on Megadeth's f ...
– drums *
Matt DeVries Matthew DeVries (born January 28, 1977) is the former rhythm guitarist in the heavy metal band Chimaira and the former bassist in the metal band Fear Factory. During his time with Chimaira, he, along with Rob Arnold (the lead guitarist) and M ...
– bass Guests *Markus Mueller - drums (1992) (Died: 1995) *
Victor Wooten Victor Lemonte Wooten (born September 11, 1964) is an American bassist, songwriter, and record producer. He has been the bassist for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since the group's formation in 1988 and a member of the band SMV with two other ...
– bass


Timeline


Discography

Studio albums *'' O.F.R.'' (1989) *'' Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S.'' (1992) Compilations *''
Gunnin' for Glory ''Gunnin' for Glory'' is a compilation album by American glam metal band Nitro, consisting of older demos from the '' O.F.R.'' and '' H.W.D.W.S.'' sessions, as well as three tracks by Batio's former band, the Michael Angelo Band. Track listing ...
'' (1999) Singles *"
Freight Train Rail freight transport is the use of railroads and trains to transport cargo as opposed to human passengers. A freight train, cargo train, or goods train is a group of freight cars (US) or goods wagons (International Union of Railways) haul ...
" (1989) *"Long Way from Home" (1989) *"
Cat Scratch Fever ''Cat Scratch Fever'' is the third studio album by American rock musician Ted Nugent. It was released on May 13, 1977, by Epic Records. Vocalist Derek St. Holmes, who had left the band during the recording of the album ''Free-for-All'', had com ...
" (1992) *"Johnny Died on Christmas" (1992) *"It Won't Die" (2017) Music videos *"Freight Train" (1989) *"Long Way from Home" (1989) *"Cat Scratch Fever" (1992) *"Boyz Will B Boyz" (1993)


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nitro Glam metal musical groups from California Heavy metal musical groups from California Musical groups established in 1988 Musical groups disestablished in 1993 Musical groups reestablished in 2016 Musical groups disestablished in 2019 Musical quartets