Meliah Rage

Unceremoniously dropped by Epic Records following the release of 1990's Solitary Solitude, the core MELIAH RAGE lineup of Anthony Nichols, Jim Koury, and Mike Munro soldiered on with a new rhythm section that included future Godsmack frontman Sully Erna on drums. The group gradually laid down an album's worth of uncirculated demos (posthumously released as Unfinished Business in 1999) for the purposes of shopping directly to record labels, but—unable to secure a proper deal—would call it quits by 1994.

A year or so later, Backstreet Records reached out to the band regarding the prospect of putting together a new MELIAH RAGE album. Nichols, Koury, and Munro called in their old friend Bob Mayo (Wargasm) on bass, and rounded out the lineup with Dave Barcos behind the kit. The result was 11-song full-length Death Valley Dream: a no-B.S. thrash record that retains a rhythmic midpaced crunch while introducing more speed and energy than what the band had been demoing prior. Unfortunately, with supporting live opportunities drying up in the mid-'90s, the members would ultimately go their separate ways for nearly a decade.

Now, more than 20 years later, Divebomb Records is thrilled to once more join forces with MELIAH RAGE for this definitive edition of Death Valley Dream—complete with meticulously polished retouches of the Unfinished Business recordings as a bonus. Fully remastered by Jamie King Audio, this reissue also features a retrospective interview with guitarist Anthony Nichols. For the fans, by the fans!

Having eventually gone their separate ways sometime after the release of Death Valley Dream in 1996, legendary Boston power thrashers MELIAH RAGE opened the door on reunion talks around 2002 at the behest of upstart label Screaming Ferret Wreckords. Founding guitarist Anthony Nichols quickly roped in fellow axeman Jim Koury, and with original frontman Mike Munro opting out, the two recruited their former Cactus Land bandmate Paul Souza on vocals. Original bassist Jesse Johnson was also a go, and friend and former Wargasm drummer Barry Spillberg rounded out the lineup at that time.

The resulting nine-song, 45-minute album, Barely Human, represented an inspired and reinvigorated MELIAH RAGE—possessing more powerful drive and energy than even some of the band's earliest work, while still retaining the contrasting dynamics of a classic album like Solitary Solitude. The reaction from fans was overwhelmingly positive, and the group filmed a video for the disc's title track—which was also featured in an episode of the FX television series The Shield. Select live appearances of the era included stops at the Classic Metal Festival (Chicago, IL) and Metal Mind Rage II (Baltimore, MD).

Now, more than a decade later, Divebomb Records is proud to partner with MELIAH RAGE for this CD reissue of Barely Human. Freshly remixed and remastered by Peter Rutcho for much-improved sound quality, this edition also features an updated cover painting by artist M. Fumi, complete lyrics, as well as a retrospective interview with guitarist Anthony Nichols. For the fans, by the fans!

With 4/5 of the classic MELIAH RAGE lineup in tow, the group set out to release The Deep and Dreamless Sleep through Screaming Ferret Wreckords in 2006. This darker set of eight tracks offered more tempo variation and textural experimentation than much of the band's prior work, allowing the disc to remain a unique standout amidst their continually-expanding discography. The outfit's second U.S. tour with Metal Church would follow in support of the album, and MELIAH RAGE has been going strong ever since.

Over a decade later, Divebomb Records is excited to once more join forces with MELIAH RAGE for this revamped reissue of The Deep and Dreamless Sleep. Completely remixed and remastered by Peter Rutcho for vastly improved sound quality, this edition breathes new life into one of the band's most underrated albums. The packaging will also include full lyrics—transcribed for the first time ever—a retrospective interview with Nichols and Souza, as well as added commentary from Rutcho. For the fans, by the fans!

In the mid-2000s, legendary Boston power thrashers MELIAH RAGE found themselves prepped to create a brand new album with all five original members in tow. Drummer Stuart Dowie had returned for 2006's The Deep and Dreamless Sleep, and even fan-favorite vocalist Mike Munro had agreed to find time amidst his family commitments to join up for one more album. Bassist Jesse Johnson ultimately decided to step aside, however, at which point the band brought in Darren Lourie—formerly of Triphammer/Every Second—to complete the lineup.

Realizing in retrospect that The Deep and Dreamless Sleep may have been overly mid-paced and one-sided, chief songwriter Anthony Nichols set out to write the group's most guitar-centric album to date—slightly thrashier, and with an occasionally increased emphasis on dual guitar harmonies. Produced by WARGASM's Rich Spillberg and featuring a guest vocal appearance from then-METAL CHURCH frontman Ronny Munroe on "Last Rites," the result was Masquerade: a nearly hour-long return to form for MELIAH RAGE.

Unfortunately, Screaming Ferret Wreckords was on the decline, so the album was merely released as a CD-R and without a sufficient promotional presence. The band only performed a small handful of shows with Munro back on the mic—among them opening for ANVIL at the House of Blues in Boston—but this brief reunion still satisfied longtime fans, both live and on record.

Now, nearly a decade later, Divebomb Records is proud to partner with MELIAH RAGE for this reissue of Masquerade: finally on proper CD for the first time ever! Newly remastered by Peter Rutcho, this edition also features complete lyrics, as well as a retrospective interview with guitarist Anthony Nichols. For the fans, by the fans!