Hand of Fire

Hand of Fire
OriginConcord, California
GenresThrash metal
Years active2015-present
LabelsRottweiler
MembersJim Settle
Tiago Souza
Gary Neff
Forrest Nelson
Scotty McRib
Past membersCorey Steger
Tom Eaton
Jason Borton
Greg Christian
Marcel Eaton
Bill Davies
Websitehandoffire.band

Hand of Fire is an American thrash metal band that originated in California. The project was initially formed in 2010 as a collaboration between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath) before evolving into a full band in 2015 under Settle's leadership. After signing with Rottweiler Records in 2016, they released their critically acclaimed debut album Nuclear Sunrise in 2017. The band has undergone several lineup changes throughout their career, notably including brief stints with former Testament bassist Greg Christian and Jungle Rot drummer Jason Borton. As of 2024, the band consists of Jim Settle (vocals), Tiago Souza (lead guitar), Forrest Nelson (rhythm guitar), Scotty McRib (bass, backing vocals), and Gary Neff (drums). Their sound has been characterized as a modern take on thrash metal, drawing influences from both classic and contemporary metal styles.[1][2]

Background

Hand of Fire emerged in 2010 as a collaborative project between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath).[3] The duo began writing and recording material, which caught the attention of Rottweiler Records, who offered them a contract.[3] However, geographical constraints led to Steger's departure, prompting Settle to establish an official lineup featuring members from his other project, Bore.[4]

By 2015, Hand of Fire had evolved into a fully-realized vision under Settle's leadership.[1] The band officially signed with Rottweiler Records in May 2016,[5][6] with a lineup consisting of vocalist Jim Settle, guitarist Tiago Souza, bassist Tom Eaton, and drummer Bill Davies. Their debut album, initially titled Let the Killings Begin, was scheduled for release in December 2016.[7] The band released a lyric video for the title track,[2][8] and ultimately released their debut album, retitled Nuclear Sunrise, on November 17, 2017, to critical acclaim.[9][10][11]

On August 24, 2018, the band premiered their new track "World of Deception" on The Covenant Metal Show through Reanimated Radio. The band underwent significant lineup changes in March 2019, with bassist Tom Eaton and drummer Bill Davies departing, replaced by Greg Christian (ex-Testament) and Jason Borton (Jungle Rot, Kataklysm) respectively.[12] By March 2020, the lineup shifted again, with Davies returning to the band and Marcel Eaton, formerly of Trauma, joining as the new bassist, replacing Borton and Christian.[13] Tragically, founding member Corey Steger passed away in a car accident on March 17, 2021.[14]

Members

Current members
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Jim Settle vocals 2010–present Tantrum of the Muse, Once Dead, Vengeance Rising, Slag, Bore, Intercessor
Tiago James Souza guitar 2015–present Bore, Perpetual Paranoia,[15] Through the Clouds, Godman, The Thomas Thompson Earth Project
Gary Neff drums 2024-present Shadowkiller, Forced Psychosis, Power Shift, Roswell
Forrest Nelson rhythm guitar 2024-present
Scotty McRib bass, backing vocals 2024-present Almost Dead, WarTroll, Gurschach, Karmic Debt
Former members[16]
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Corey Steger guitar 2010-2015 (died 2021)[14] Underoath, Symmetry Point
Tom Eaton bass 2015-2018 Bomb and Scary, Something Left Unsaid, Bore
Greg Christian bass 2019–2020 Testament, Trauma, HavocHate, Fallen Trinity, Wreck-Defy, Legacy, Meshiaak
Jason Borton drums 2019–2020 Jungle Rot, Kataklysm, Throne of Awful Splendor, Treasonist, Thanatopsis, Where Lovers Rot, Seized of Darkness, Velaraas, Zorakarer, Arkaik, Mortal Plague, Beyond the Red Horizon, Nocturnal Plague, Zero Divide
Marcel Eaton bass 2020–2024 Trauma, Discordia, Serpent & Seraph
Bill Davies drums 2015-2019, 2020–2023 Chürchfield, Bore
Timeline

Discography

Demo

  • Let the Killings Begin (2016)

Studio albums

  • Nuclear Sunrise (2017)[9][10][11]
  • World of Deception (TBA)

Singles

  • "Let the Killings Begin" (2016)
  • "Deck the Angels" (2016)
  • "The Prophecy" (2017)
  • "World of Deception" (2018)

Compilation appearances

  • The Bearded Dragon's Sampler: Third Times a Charm (2017; The Bearded Dragon Productions)
  • The Pack Vol. 1 (2017; Rottweiler)

References

  1. ^ a b Pirtle, Dave (May 2016). "5Q5A - Hand of Fire". Lastrit.es. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Stagg, David (October 28, 2016). "HM PREMIERE: Hand of Fire drops new lyric video for "Let the Killings Begin"". HM Magazine. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Settle, Jim (September 19, 2016). "Interview: Hand of Fire". Interviewed by Mace Beard. The Bearded Dragon. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  4. ^ Hand of Fire on Facebook
  5. ^ DarcyRumble (May 18, 2016). "Rottweiler Records Releases Teaser Of New Thrash Signing Hand Of Fire". Giants in the Sound. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  6. ^ Rottweiler Records (May 13, 2016). "Rottweiler Records announcement". Facebook. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  7. ^ Beard, Mason (October 17, 2016). "Rottweiler Records Announce Release Date for Hand of Fire's Let the Killings Begin". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  8. ^ Beard, Mason (October 28, 2016). "Hand of Fire Dropped "Let the Killings Begin" Lyric Video". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Moore, Bruce (October 5, 2017). "Hand of Fire - "Nuclear Sunrise"". Pure Grain Audio. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  10. ^ a b Sullivan, Christan (October 2, 2017). "Nuclear Sunrise - Hand Of Fire Review" (PDF). The Metal Resource. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Beard, Mason (November 17, 2017). "Album Review: Hand of Fire - Nuclear Sunrise". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  12. ^ Sullivan, Christian (March 10, 2019). "Change Of Direction For Hand Of Fire". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  13. ^ Sullivan, Christian (March 3, 2020). "Hand Of Fire and New Line-Up". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Dowd, Rachel (March 19, 2021). "Former Underoath Guitarist Corey Steger Has Died In A Car Accident". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "'Perpetual Paranoia' – An International Collaboration Between 'Dale Thompson' (Bride) & 'Tiago James De Souza' (Hand of Fire)". The Metal Resource. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  16. ^ Settle, Jim (April 12, 2015). "Jim Settle (Tantrum Of The Muse)". Interviewed by Stephen Sarro and Trav Turner. As the Story Grows. Retrieved July 10, 2016.