ABOUT
"This is a more mature band, nothing like the copycat 80s thrash. This seems heavier, angrier, cooler..."
- Bloke on the internet -
IT EATS INSIDE OF YOU
NOW YOU'RE SCREAMING
INFECTION - DEAD MAN'S WEAPON
When thrash metal began (arguably) in the 1980s, people flocked to shows to see this raw, aggressive fusion of punk anger and metal's bombast. We wanted to take that and keep the fun, bouncy, almost melodic fun of the early thrash scene but mix in that dirty crossover beat that pummels with breakdowns and grooves.
Detoxen started many moons ago as Bloodshed, a group of friends playing together as teenagers enjoying the local scene. As the lineup changed and the band grew tighter and more vicious, the band's harmonious early songs (anyone remember when we used to play "Maniac"?) made way for a different beast altogether. Bridges became breakdowns, guitar leads became soaring solos, and vocals changed from melody towards misery.
It's here, as Bloodshed, we began to write what would become our first album "Victims", featuring tonnes of brilliant thrash hits calling back to the early days of crossover thrash, all the way into some of the more cheesy reaches of classic heavy metal (a la Maiden/Priest).
IN HELL WHERE THE DEMONS DWELL,
YOU WILL FIND MY THRONE
I STAND TALL, AS THE BOMBS EXPLODE, YOUR WALLS ERODE.
I CONQUER ALL.
TSAR BOMBA - DEAD MAN'S WEAPON
ENTOMBED - DEAD MAN'S WEAPON
"Victims" was received well by fans, and it got us onto a number of cool shows, with some amazing bands at some amazing venues (my fave was the Beholder show at the Borderline ~ Debs). With an airtight stage show, a fantastic stage presence, a lunatic bassplayer and sense of comradery on and off stage, we built ourselves a nice little nook in the scene.
But it was time for the next big step.
Then during that plague which we don't speak about anymore, everything began to grind to a halt. We had stuff recorded, we had loads of ideas, but we just couldn't get those ideas to anyone. We couldn't get that music to YOU. For a while, it looked like we'd just stop right there...
EARLY 2022, WE WERE ONE MESSAGE AWAY
FROM QUITTING
BUT WE DIDN'T GIVE UP.
We asked a few important individuals who reignited our confidence in ourselves and set us back on point to our biggest success so far, playing at BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL in the burning heat of Summer 2022.
Now we've released our latest album (and first full length release in over 5 years) DEAD MAN'S WEAPON - available on all streaming services. Already achieving critical success and gaining tonnes of listeners, Dead Man's Weapon is the band telling you we are back, and we are ready to thrash it up.
What's next? World domination, of course...
DETOXEN
IS
THOMAS "DEBS" DEBENHAM - LEAD VOCALS / BASS
JOSEPH KOLENDO - LEAD GUITARS
ED HAMILTON - RHYTHM GUITARS
JESSE BORONDY - DRUMS
DEBS
Vocals / Bass
Debs has a "if you're loud enough, it'll work itself out" mentality to performing - in no small part due to being raised with a punk ethos and a DIY mindset. The mastermind behind some of the band's more down'n'dirty songs, Debs is happiest when he's bouncing around a venue mid-set causing chaos.
He cites his biggest inspirations in thrash as bands like Exodus, Slayer, and Annihilator!
At the bar, buy Debs a pint of cheap shit lager, a rum and coke, or a shot of fireball!
Debs uses:
Ibanez basses
Spector basses
Tech21 Sansamp preamps
D'Addario strings
Ampeg amplifiers
Ashdown amplifiers
Ashdown cabinets
JOE KOLENDO
Lead / Rhythm Guitar
Joe Kolendo has been the lead guitarist of Detoxen since the bands formation. Drawing from a wide array of influences spanning many musical genres, Joe try’s to incorporate as many styles into his playing as he physically can. He takes inspiration from the classics such as Metallica, Iron Maiden etc however Led Zeppelin will always be a go to when discussing favourite bands and important influences.
Equipment specs:
Guitars
Jackson RR1 USA
Gibson Les Paul Traditional USA
Amps & Signal Flow
Kemper Profiler Head & Remote Mission Engineering KP1 Shure GLXD14R+ Rack Guitar Wireless System
ENGL Invader 100 (Studio Use)
ED HAMILTON
Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Ed Hamilton has only been Rhythm Guitarist in Detoxen for little over a year. However, his diverse musical influence has pushed him to explore and incorporate new avenues of metal into his guitar playing and writing for the band. As well as favouring bands such as Killswitch Engage, Sleep Token and A Day to Remember, Radiohead will always play a role as an inspiration to his writing and approach to music.
Equipment:
Chapman Guitars ML1-Pro
Marshall JVM-410 (Amp Head)
Boss NS-2
Keeley Caverns Reverb and Delay Pedal (studio use)
JESSE BORONDY
Drums
Jesse Borondy has been the drummer for Detoxen since its inception. He brings a unique style inspired by Epica, Arch Enemy, Lamb Of God, and Bury Tomorrow, and is always looking for new and unique sounds to further widen his creative well. Within the band dynamic his commitment and comedy make him invaluable, and he can be frequently seen on stage pulling daft faces whilst playing drums in great contrast to the “oh-so-serious” faces of the guitarists!
For those interested, Jesse’s setup consists of:
* 7-piece TAMA starclassic fusion, White
* TAMA Iron Cobra Double Pedal
* Meinl Custom Classic Extreme Metal: 14” Hi-Hats, 16” Crash, 18” Crash, 18” China
* Meinl HCS: 8” Splash, 12” China
* Zildjian Sound Lab Prototype: 22” Ride
* Stagg Black Metal: 7” Bell