Difference between revisions of "Switchblade"

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{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Switchblade
| image          =
| alt            =
| caption        =
| image_size      =
| landscape      = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| background      = group_or_band
| alias          =
| origin          = Sydney, NSW
| genre          = Thrash metal, death metal
| years_active    = 2001 - 2011
| label          = Amphead
| associated_acts = [[Descend]], [[Friar Rush]], [[Icon of Deceit]], [[Paradigm]], [[Infernal Method]], [[The Amenta]], [[Vaticide]], [[Killrazer]], [[Sanctium]]
| website        =
| current_members =
| past_members    = Symon Al-haddad, Chris Apps, Scott Bernascone, Ben Bessant, Gerard Dack, Anthony Delvecchio, Adam Helmreich, Andrew Najdek, Matt Piccolotto, Sway
}}
===Band Members===
===Band Members===


*Current Line-Up
*Final Line-Up
**Gerard Dack (bass)
**Gerard Dack (bass)
**Anthony Delvecchio (guitar)
**Anthony Delvecchio (guitar)
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*Former Members
*Former Members
**Adam Helmreich (vocals) (2005 - 2010)
**Adam Helmreich (vocals) 2005 - 2010
**Symon Alhaddad (bass) (2006 - 2008)
**Symon Alhaddad (bass) 2006 - 2008
**Ben Bessant (bass) (2001 - 2006)
**Ben Bessant (bass) 2001 - 2006
**Scott Bernascone (guitar) (2004 - 2005)
**Scott Bernascone (guitar) 2004 - 2005
**Sway (Colin Druery) (vocals) (2002 - 2005)
**Sway (Colin Druery) (vocals) 2002 - 2005
**Chris Apps (vocals) (2001)
**Chris Apps (vocals) 2001


===Formed===
===Formed===
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===Band Information===
===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.
Switchblade was a Sydney band thrash and melodic death metal. Formed in 2001 by Matt Piccolotto, Andrew Najdek and Ben Bessant, a demo was recorded with vocalist Chris Apps, but Apps left and 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. Scott Bernascone joined in time for a show with '''Machine Head''' in Sydney in October 2004. ''The End of All Once Known'' was released in April 2005. Bernascone and Sway decided to leave after a festival in Sydney; during the final song of their set Adam 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.


After quickly developing an audience with a range of key local supports and completing work on an album, Switchblade added a second guitarist, Scott Bernascone, in time for a show with '''Machine Head''' in Sydney in October 2004. 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 Ben Bessant suddenly left the band. Symon Alhaddad from [[Vaticide]] took his place and they went on the play at the Come Together Festival in Sydney in June. The band then played at [[Metal for the Brain]] in November 2006 and the Festival of the Dead alongside '''Nevermore''' the same evening.  


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. The band then played at [[Metal for the Brain]] in November 2006 and the Festival of the Dead alongside '''Nevermore''' the same evening. Scott Bernascone was [[The Amenta]]'s live guitarist during their Australian tour in October 2007.
The band began their second album during 2006. ''Invictus Infinitum'' featured a guest appearance by '''Jeff Loomis''' of '''Nevermore''' and was released in April 2009. Gerard Dack joined the band on bass during the recording period. Switchblade then embarked on a national tour. On October 15, 2009, Switchblade was the opening act for '''Slayer's''' special live performance of the ''Reign in Blood'' album in Sydney. They opened for '''Exodus''' in Sydney in October 2010 but then went inactive after the departure of Helmreich. In May 2011, Switchblade announced they had split up.
 
The band began their second album during 2006, taking most of the next two years off from live playing to complete it. ''Invictus Infinitum'' was mixed by Neil Kernon with a guest appearance by '''Jeff Loomis''' of '''Nevermore''' and was released in April 2009. Former '''Infernal Method''' member Gerard Dack joined the band on bass during the recording period. After launching the album in Sydney, Switchblade embarked on a national tour, with [[Our Last Enemy]] appearing at several of the shows. On October 15, 2009, Switchblade was the opening act for '''Slayer's''' special live performance of the ''Reign in Blood'' album in Sydney. They opened for '''Exodus''' in Sydney in October 2010 but since then have been inactive after the departure of Helmreich. Najdek has since been involved in a band called '''Icon of Deceit''' which has so far played a single show.


===Discography===
===Discography===
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{|  
{|  
! width="200" height="200 |
! width="40"|  
! width="40"|  
! width="220"|  
! width="220"|  
! width="220"|  
! width="220"|  
|-
|-
| [[Image:Endofallonceknown.jpg|thumb|150px]]
| 2005
| 2005
| '''''The End of All Once Known'''''
| '''''The End of All Once Known'''''
| self release
| Independent
|-
|-
|
| 2009
| 2009
| '''''Invictus Infinitum'''''
| '''''Invictus Infinitum'''''
| self release
| Independent
|-
|}
 
'''Compilation tracks:'''
 
{|
! width="200" height="200 |
! width="40"| Year
! width="220"| Track Title
! width="220"| Album Title
! width="70"| Label
|-
|
| 2004
| "Convulse"
| '''''Underearthed 2'''''
| independent
|-
| [[Image:Theartofshredding.jpg|thumb|150px]]
| 2006
| "Domination"
| '''''The Art of Shredding - A Tribute to Dime'''''
| DarkStar
|-
|-
|}
|}
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[[Category:Bands from Sydney]]
[[Category:Bands from Sydney]]
[[Category:Bands that played Metal for the Brain]]
[[Category:Bands that played Metal for the Brain]]
[[Category:Bands that played Metalstock]]
[[Category:Band List]]
[[Category:Bands that played Against the Grain]]

Latest revision as of 23:33, 10 May 2022

Switchblade
OriginSydney, NSW
GenresThrash metal, death metal
Years active2001 - 2011
LabelsAmphead
Associated actsDescend, Friar Rush, Icon of Deceit, Paradigm, Infernal Method, The Amenta, Vaticide, Killrazer, Sanctium
Past membersSymon Al-haddad, Chris Apps, Scott Bernascone, Ben Bessant, Gerard Dack, Anthony Delvecchio, Adam Helmreich, Andrew Najdek, Matt Piccolotto, Sway

Band Members

  • Final Line-Up
    • Gerard Dack (bass)
    • Anthony Delvecchio (guitar)
    • Andrew Najdek (guitar)
    • Matt Piccolotto (drums)
  • Former Members
    • Adam Helmreich (vocals) 2005 - 2010
    • Symon Alhaddad (bass) 2006 - 2008
    • 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 was a Sydney band thrash and melodic death metal. Formed in 2001 by Matt Piccolotto, Andrew Najdek and Ben Bessant, a demo was recorded with vocalist Chris Apps, but Apps left and 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. Scott Bernascone joined in time for a show with Machine Head in Sydney in October 2004. The End of All Once Known was released in April 2005. Bernascone and Sway decided to leave after a festival in Sydney; during the final song of their set Adam 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 Ben Bessant suddenly left the band. Symon Alhaddad from Vaticide took his place and they went on the play at the Come Together Festival in Sydney in June. The band then played at Metal for the Brain in November 2006 and the Festival of the Dead alongside Nevermore the same evening.

The band began their second album during 2006. Invictus Infinitum featured a guest appearance by Jeff Loomis of Nevermore and was released in April 2009. Gerard Dack joined the band on bass during the recording period. Switchblade then embarked on a national tour. On October 15, 2009, Switchblade was the opening act for Slayer's special live performance of the Reign in Blood album in Sydney. They opened for Exodus in Sydney in October 2010 but then went inactive after the departure of Helmreich. In May 2011, Switchblade announced they had split up.

Discography

Albums:

2005 The End of All Once Known Independent
2009 Invictus Infinitum Independent