Fifth Angel

FIFTH ANGEL is extremely proud to announce our partnership with the incredible Nuclear Blast Records family!

The Seattle music scene in the mid 1980’s was a breeding ground of exceptional talent. “Heavy Metal” was a new wave of music that was beginning to sweep the globe, and FIFTH ANGEL was one of the forefathers of the legendary Seattle music scene that also produced iconic bands such as QUEENSRYCHE and METAL CHURCH. In 1984, high school friends Ted Pilot (vocalist) and Ed Archer (guitarist) teamed up with lead guitarist James Byrd. They filled out the lineup with drummer Ken Mary (ALICE COOPER, HOUSE OF LORDS) and bassist John Macko. Inspired by the success of QUEENSRYCHE, who shunned playing clubs for the sake of writing, recording and releasing their own music independently, FIFTH ANGEL followed a similar path.

Concentrating on honing their writing and recording skills, FIFTH ANGEL crafted the incredible debut album »Fifth Angel«. This recording was initially an independent release funded and produced by the band, and co-produced by the famed Terry Date. »Fifth Angel« was Date’s first ever production, and Date later went on to produce platinum artists such as PANTERA, SOUNDGARDEN, WHITE ZOMBIE and THE DEFTONES. The album was first released in Europe through a fledgling label named Roadrunner Records based in the Netherlands and instantly became a cult classic in the European metal community. Roadrunner Records is currently one of the largest rock labels in the world, with bands such as SLIPKNOT and NICKELBACK.

The band entered the studio once again in late 1988, this time with producer Terry Brown (RUSH) and Epic released »Time Will Tell« in August of 1989. »Time Will Tell« saw the departure of lead guitarist James Byrd, and the introduction of guitar prodigy Kendall Bechtel. The video for ‘Time Will Tell’ was released from the album and went into rotation on MTV, and the track ‘Midnight Love’ became the theme song for shock jock Howard Stern’s #1 ranked radio show for over four years. However, the winds of change were beginning to stir over the music industry and when grunge music hit hard in the early 90’s, (ironically based out of Seattle as well), FIFTH ANGEL disbanded. But that’s not the end of the story…

FIFTH ANGEL recently put the finishing touches on their first new album in almost 30 years »The Third Secret«, which will be released in September of 2018. The album features the incredible talents of guitarist and lead vocalist Kendall Bechtel, bassist John Macko and drummer and backing vocalist Ken Mary.

AVERSIONS CROWN will take »Xenocide« to stages around the world in 2017. Get in the pit or get out of the way.