Toxik

Toxik is an American thrash metal band formed in 1985 in Peekskill, New York. After breaking up for the first time in 1992 and briefly reuniting in 2007, the band reformed once again in 2013. Toxik has gone through several lineup changes over the years, leaving guitarist Josh Christian as the only constant member. The band has released three studio albums to date, '' World Circus'' (1987), '' Think This'' (1989) and ''Dis Morta'' (2022).

History

Initial career (1985–1992)

Toxik was formed in 1985 by Joshua Christian and Lee Erwin under the name "Tokyo". The band was forced to change its name due to the threat of legal action from a band who had already registered the name. The band's original four-piece lineup which, because it occurred before the name change, was known as the ''Tokyo'' line up, consisted of Michael Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Lee Erwin (bass) and Sal Dadabo (drums). However, the line up did not remain stable, plaguing the band with line-up changes into the following year. During the same year, the band's original bassist, Lee Erwin, left Toxik citing personal reasons (severe clinical depression), to be replaced by Brian Bonini. Lee Erwin went on to record several solo projects which included his popular "Mad at the World" album. He's currently the co-host of the popular YouTube music show Conspiracy Music With DOC DANGER (his new alias), along with his friend and host Clay. The show promotes up and coming unknown musicians from the YouTube community. Additionally, Sal Dadabo, the band's original drummer, was offered a touring contract with Twisted Sister and left Toxik to be replaced by Tad Leger. These new changes would become the band's new line-up.

In 1987, Toxik signed onto Roadrunner Records (previously titled "Roadracer Productions" at the time of signing), debuting their first full-length album, '' World Circus''. The release of the album saw one of the first introductions to the, "progressive thrash metal" genre, charting on College Music Journal's "Best New Metal Album of the Year" for 1987 and were offered a number nine slot on the Metal Blade Records "Metal Massacre" series with the song, "Wasteland". After touring, ''World Circus'', vocalist Mike Sanders left Toxik for unknown reasons, to be replaced by Charlie Sabin.

Following the received attention for the release of their debut album, Toxik released their second full-length album in 1989 with Roadrunner Records entitled, '' Think This''. Genres cited for Toxik on BNR Metal Pages After the album's release, Toxik hired guitarist John Donnelly to perform with them while touring. The success that resulted from ''Think This'' led Toxik to tour the album throughout the United States and Europe with several bands, including King Diamond, Sepultura, Prong, Exodus, Sacred Reich and Pantera. After years of touring, Toxik disbanded in 1992.

First reunion (2007–2010)

During the autumn of 2006, Displeased Records re-released Toxik's ''World Circus'' and ''Think This'' along with releases of previous releases from Gorguts, Sadus and Disincarnate. The ''World Circus'' rerelease included twelve bonus tracks and the ''Think This'' re-release included five bonus tracks.

In January 2007, Metal Mind Productions re-released limited edition versions of Toxik's ''World Circus'' and ''Think This''. The rereleases are digitally remastered, featuring digipak editions of the albums.

During February 2007, Toxik announced their reformation as a band. The announcement consisted of the largely original line-up of Mike Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Brian Bonini (bass) and Lou Caldarola (drums). Tad Leger, one of the band's original drummers, is also in a band called Lucertola, as a guitarist. During August 2007, the band's bassist, Brian Bonini, left the new Toxik line-up, leaving Toxik with only three members. Toxik is currently in search of a new bassist to replace Brian Bonini.

Toxik announced a European tour in November 2007. The two-week tour was to have included performances at the Keep It True festival and the Ragers Elite festival in Germany. The band was scheduled to perform at the Keep It True Festival on November 3, 2007, when the band canceled the tour due to reasons disclosed by the event organizer, "The reason is that their Polish management booked a three week tour around the festival with eight day-offs in a row, which was otfinancially feasible for the band. Also, bassist Brian Bonini quit the band some weeks ago and they oxikcouldn't find a replacement for him until now." After the November tour cancellation, the band had not made any public appearances. Nonetheless, Toxik announced on their MySpace page that they were in the process of writing new material and would not tour until a new bassist was hired.

In December 2007, Displeased Records released Toxik's first live album set, entitled ''Dynamo Open Air 1988'', which includes two live performances from 1988 and a limited CD and DVD package.

In July 2010, Toxik self-released Think Again on DVD. Containing a live set from 1989, a 2010 interview with Tad Leger, Josh Christian and Mike Sanders and a photo/poster gallery.

Second reunion and new releases (2013–present)

On January 8, 2014, it was revealed on Bittner's Facebook fan page that the name of the third Toxik album was ''In Humanity''. A spring 2014 release was expected. However, the album's release date was pushed back to 2016, before being pushed back to 2017. There had not been any news on a new album until November 2020, when guitarist Josh Christian announced on Facebook that he was working on new tracks for the follow-up to ''Think This''. Christian confirmed in a February 2022 interview with the Italian website Metal Skunk that ''Dis Morta'' was the official title of their third album. ''Dis Morta'' was released on August 5, 2022 by Massacre Records, and two months prior to its release, Toxik toured Europe by supporting Heathen on their ''Empire of the Blind'' tour.

On July 10, 2017, Toxik announced that they would release the EP '' Breaking Class'' on August 4, and premiered their first song in 28 years, "Stand Up", that same day.

On April 27, 2018, Toxik released their newest box set ''III Works'', featuring ''In Humanity'' recording sessions, ''Breaking Class'' EP with three additional tracks from this EP's sessions and new disc'' Kinetic Closure'' featuring vocalist Ron Iglesias.

Band members

Current members

* Josh Christian – guitars (1985–1992, 2007, 2013–present)
* Jim DeMaria – drums (2015–present)
* Shane Boulos – bass (2017–present)
* Ron Iglesias – vocals, guitars (2018–present)
* Eric van Druten – rhythm guitar (2019–present)

Former members

* Mike Sanders – vocals (1985–1988, 2007, 2013–2016)
* Charlie Sabin – vocals (1988–1992, 2017)
* John Donnelly – guitars (1988–1992)
* Lee Erwin – bass (1985–1986)
* Brian Bonini – bass (1986–1992, 2007)
* Bill Bodily – bass (2013–2017)
* Sal Dadabo – drums (1985–1986)
* Tad Leger – drums (1986–1992)
* Lou Caldarola – drums (2007)
* Jason Bittner – drums (2013–2014)

Timeline

* Note: Toxik was inactive from 1992 to 2007, and again from 2007 to 2013.

Discography

Studio albums

*'' World Circus'' (1987, Roadrunner)
*'' Think This'' (1989, Roadrunner)
* ''Dis Morta'' (2022, Massacre Records)

EPs

*'' Breaking Class'' (2017)

Live albums

*''Dynamo Open Air 1988'' (2007, DVD, Displeased)
*''Think Again'' (2010, DVD, self-released)

Compilation albums

*''This Is Toxik'' (2009, Roadrunner)
*''III Works'' (2018)

References

External links

Official websiteToxik
at AllMusic
Toxik Think Again DVD

{{Authority control
Heavy metal musical groups from New York (state)
American thrash metal musical groups
American progressive metal musical groups
Roadrunner Records artists
Musical groups established in 1985
1985 establishments in New York (state)