Switchblade

Band Members

• Current Line-Up
  • Andrew Najdek (guitar)
  • Matt Piccolotto (drums)
  • Adam Helmreich (vocals)
  • Symon Alhaddad (bass)
  • Anthony Delvecchio (guitar)

• Former Members
  • Ben Bessant (bass) (2001 - 2006)
  • Scott Bernascone (guitar) (2004 - 2005)
  • Sway {Colin Druery) (vocals) (2002 - 2005)
  • Chris Apps (vocals) (2001)

Formed

Sydney, NSW, 2001

Band Information

Switchblade is a Sydney band playing an aggressive and melodic blend of thrash and death metal. Formed in 2001 by Piccolotto, Najdek and Bessant, a demo was recorded with vocalist Chris Apps, but the overall result was poor and the group ditched it. Apps left and Switchblade spent some time writing new material until Sway joined in mid-2002. A few months later he had to leave the group when he damaged his vocal cords but by early 2003 he was back.

After quickly developing an audience with a range of key local supports, Switchblade added a second guitarist, Scott Bernascone, in mid-2004. Then in October they opened for Machine Head in Sydney ahead of recording an album for release in 2005. During this period Najdek was also a member of Friar Rush and Piccolotto was also with Descend, but this changed as Switchblade concentrated on the album release. The End of All Once Known was released in April 2005. The album drew a huge response from local audiences and was easily one the best Australian metal releases of 2005. Their momentum was threatened however when Bernascone and Sway decided to leave after a festival in Sydney; during the final song of their set Helmreich joined the group on stage and was recruited almost immediately. Anthony Delvecchio replaced Bernascone after a few months but during the downtime, Najdek joined Infernal Method for a brief period.

Switchblade was booked to appear at Metalstock in 2006 but shortly before the show Bessant suddenly left the band to live in Perth. Symon Alhaddad from Vaticide took his place and they went on the play at the Come Together Festival in Sydney in June. Work has since begun on a second album and the band played at Metal for the Brain in November 2006.

Scott Bernascone was The Amenta's live guitarist during their Australian tour in October.

Discography

Album:

	2005	The End of All Once Known	self release

Compilation tracks:

	Year	Track Title	Album Title	Label
	2004	"Convulse"	Underearthed 2	independent
	2006	"Domination"	The Art of Shredding - A Tribute to Dime	DarkStar