Dreadnaught is a
metal
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
band from
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. The group was formed out of the remnants of some
Tasmanian
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
bands including Fridge from
Launceston who recorded an album in 1994.
The band recorded a single titled ''Flowers'' in 1995 that was released on cassette by Melbourne label Subversive. The following year the full-length album ''
Body.Blood.Skin.Mind'' saw release on Deported. This album displayed a combination of dark, introspective rock and melodic, progressive
thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...
. Citing a breach of contract from the label that stemmed from inadequate promotion, Dreadnaught had the album re-released on BlahBlahBlah Records in 1997.
In the meantime, the band was forced to change the spelling of its name from the original "Dreadnought" to the current affectation when it was discovered that
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
finance company Dreadnought Finance held a
trademark
A trademark (also written trade mark or trade-mark) is a type of intellectual property consisting of a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others ...
on the name. The independently released EP ''Idiosyncrasy'' appeared in 1998 and at approximately the same time, drummer Aaren Suttil (aka Suds) formed a thrash metal band called Atomizer while still remaining a member of Dreadnaught.
During 1999, Dreadnaught began touring more widely, supporting
Cathedral
A cathedral is a church that contains the '' cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denomination ...
,
Pitchshifter
Pitchshifter are an English industrial rock band from Nottingham, formed in 1989. The band was started by lead guitarist and programmer Johnny A. Carter, and bassist and vocalist Mark Clayden. The band’s early material was characterized for ...
and
Nevermore
Nevermore was an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. The band has been inactive since 2011, due to personal issues between the band members. In April 2015, lead singer Warrel Dane confirmed that Nevermore had n ...
on Australian tours. The band also signed to
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock bands. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City.
History
The label was launched in 1980 in t ...
through what was at the time an Australian-based development roster called Dark Carnival. Dreadnaught's first album release for the label was 2000's ''Down to Zero''. The style of music on the album was less progressive and with more of a rock feel. Shortly after its release, bass player Andy Livingston-Squires (aka Squiz) left the band. He was replaced by Ando McDougall; in the interim, Dreadnaught recorded an EP in early 2001 called ''
One Piece Missing
Dreadnaught is a metal band from Melbourne, Australia. The group was formed out of the remnants of some Tasmanian bands including Fridge from Launceston who recorded an album in 1994.
The band recorded a single titled ''Flowers'' in 1995 th ...
'' with Michael Meagher on bass. A national tour was mounted with fellow Dark Carnival signing
Frankenbok
Frankenbok is an Australian heavy metal band from Melbourne. The band was founded in 1997 by guitarist Aaron Butler and vocalist Adam 'Hutch' Glynn and have since released three full-length albums and one EP. Frankenbok have toured Australia ...
. This was followed by tours with
Devin Townsend
Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He founded extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad and was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from 1994 to 2007. He has also ...
and
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian Rock music, rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. It is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adai ...
later the same year.
Dreadnaught was less active nationally for the next two years before beginning work on the third full-length album in 2004. Almost immediately, Suttil resigned from the group in order to concentrate on his other band Atomizer and he was replaced by Sandy Bettenay. Suttil recorded three albums and a number of singles and EPs with Atomizer until his death on 27 December 2006.
Dreadnaught's third album was released by Roadrunner in late 2005. ''Dirty Music'' showed that the group's transformation from progressive metal to groove rock was complete. The band supported
Testament's tour of Australia in early 2007.
rockdetector.com
Dreadnaught Gig Guide
Matt Racovalis (ex-Alarum, ex-The Berzerker) replaced Sandy Bettenay on drums in 2008. In mid-2009, the band issued their self-titled fourth album.
Dreadnaught toured Australia with Testament again during 2010.
Marty O'Shea replaced Matt Racovalis as drummer in 2012.
Current members
* Greg Trull – vocals (1992–present)
* Richie “Sto-Mach” Poate – guitars (1992–present)
* Scottie Anning – guitars (2017–present)
* Andy McDougall – bass (2001–present)
* Tim Joyce – drums (2019–present)
Former members
* Damon Alcock – guitars (1992–2016)
* Andrew Howard Livingstone-Squires – bass (1992–2000)
* Aaren Sutti – drums (1992–2004; died 2006)
* Sandy Bettenay – drums (2004–2008)
* Matthew Racovalis – drums (2008–2012)
* Marty O'Shea – drums (2012–2018)
Timeline
Discography
;Studio albums
* ''Body.Blood.Skin.Mind'' (1996)
* ''Down to Zero'' (2000)
* ''Dirty Music'' (2005)
* ''Dreadnaught'' (2009)
* ''Caught the Vultures Sleeping'' (2016)
;Extended plays
* ''Idiosyncrasy'' (1998)
* ''One Piece Missing'' (2001)
References
External links
Dreadnaught official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dreadnaught
Australian heavy metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1992
Musical groups from Melbourne
Roadrunner Records artists