Intruder was an American thrash metal band from Nashville, Tennessee. Formerly known as "Transgresser", the group began as a four-piece cover band. They added rhythm guitarist Greg Messick after signing with Metal Blade Records.
Intruder released three full-length albums and one EP from 1987 to 1991, before splitting up in 1992. Since then, the band has reunited several times to play live shows.
Contents
History
The band was formed in 1984 as "Transgresser". They released demos in 1984 and 1986, which would later appear on a re-release of their debut album. After several name changes, they became known as "Intruder". They released their debut album, Live to Die, in 1987 as a speed metal four-piece band.
The band signed with Metal Blade Records in 1989 and recruited rhythm guitarist Greg Messick. Intruder released their second album, A Higher Form of Killing, in 1989 as a five-piece band. It moved away from speed and into the thrash metal. Intruder released the Escape from Pain EP in 1990 as "an excuse to tour", featuring songs recorded on previous releases and a cover of "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago. The title track was the only new song. Escape from Pain was their only Metal Blade release not to be issued on CD, cassette, and vinyl.
In 1991, Intruder released their final full-length album, Psycho Savant. It was their only Metal Blade release to feature all original songs. After five years of releases and touring, the group disbanded in 1992. In a 2006 interview, guitarist Greg Messick claimed that the band tried to stay together after Metal Blade dropped them, but were unwilling due to lineup changes. Vocalist Jimmy Hamilton responded to the question of the band's split up in the same interview,
We got dropped from Metal Blade in the middle of our tour when we just hit the charts. Besides, although we had been together for so long, just like many marriage relationships there was no more 'love' and we said 'this marriage needs to end for a while. We need counseling'.
Intruder did much touring during their career. Although little promotion was done, Intruder toured for each release in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and shared stages with Helstar, Anvil and Morbid Angel. Since 2002, the group has occasionally reunited. They performed at the Classic Metal Fest in Ohio, 2002, and headlined the Headbangers Open Air in Germany. They played the Keep It True festival in Germany in 2007 and a reunion show in Nashville in November 2011, for the 20th-anniversary of Psycho Savant.
In 2004, the band re-released their 1987 debut album, Live to Die, through Hellion Records with six bonus tracks.
They were working on a 'Best Of' CD consisting of eight fan-picked tracks from the two Metal Blade Records releases, A Higher Form of Killing and Psycho Savant. It would contain a new track as well. That release would be the return of bassist Todd Nelson. It would be the first time the original Metal Blade lineup recorded together since 1991.
2017 was the 30th anniversary of the band.
After a few years on hiatus, Intruder announced a reunion on their Facebook page on October 16, 2019, and that they were planning some shows in 2020, including that year's Headbangers Open Air.
Longtime rhythm guitarist Greg Messick died unexpectedly on September 5, 2020, at the age of 55. The band announced his death that day.
Members
Current members
Jimmy Hamilton – vocals
Arthur Vinett – guitar
Todd Nelson – bass
John Pieroni – drums
Former members
Greg Messick – guitar (died 2020)
Garry Todd
Chris Veach
Discography
Studio albums
Live to Die (1987)
A Higher Form of Killing (1989)
Psycho Savant (1991)
Live to Die – Relived (2004)
EP's
Escape from Pain (1990)