FR8

FR8 (originally called Suffa) is a four piece Metalcore / Thrash band, formed in 1996 in the Northumberland village of Widdrington.

History
FR8 started in 1996 as an industrial project with Leigh Final on guitar, Richard Ryder on bass and Graham (surname to be verified) on vocals. Percussion was supplied by a drum machine. FR8 drew its influence from Fear Factory, Sepultura, Face Down and many other mid-1990s metal bands. The line-up went through its first change after a few months. In came Scott Howe on guitar to bolster the attack and Adam Savagé on drums. Leigh Final eventually replaced Graham on vocals and the name was changed to Frate which eventually morphed to the FR8 name recognised today.

The band disbanded briefly in 1997 as members moved around the country with work and study but reformed in 1998. After a few years of successful gigging and recording, Adam Savagé was released from the band due to his personal problems leading to a lack of reliability. In stepped Anth to fill the void and form what is seen by many as the ultimate FR8 lineup. The final upheaval in the band was when Scott Howe left because of the pressures of living in Sheffield, 100 miles from FR8's home. He was replaced by Dan on lead guitar and the band moved into a heavier phase. Creativity and live performances dipped as the direction was changed but that soon reversed as the no-nonsense riffage started to punch though and melody and song structure were rediscovered. This is no more evident than on the track 'Into The Black'. It was this song and the raw power of the live set that persuaded Copro Records to sign them up. Released in 2003, their debut album In Cold Blood has proved very popular. Produced and engineered by Dan Turner (Cradle of Filth, Anathema, Napalm Death) the album appealed to people who have been fans from the beginning and it also provided an introduction for new listeners.

In past years, FR8 has supported many popular bands (Earthtone 9, Lostprophets, The Gathering) allowing them to reach larger audiences and giving them national recognition in the metal scene. The name has become familiar because of their frequent gigs and regular air play on stations such as Total Rock Radio, and The Radio One Rock Show.

Band
Richard Ryder - bass
Co-founder of FR8, Ryder started playing the bass in his early teens, inspired by bands such as Opeth, Nine Inch Nails, My Dying Bride, Tool, Fear Factory and many other bands which fit into the darker category.

Leigh Final - guitars and vocals
Leigh began playing guitar at the age of around 12 and co-founded FR8. He is serious about the future of the band. His influences are Carcass, Fear Factory and Iron Maiden. Leigh has matured with his developments in vocals and guitars over the years and enjoys bands such as Pissing Razors, Machine Head, Stampin' ground, Mnemic, Fear Factory, Soilwork, Sepultura, Inflames and many more. He believes a lot in the history of British metal.

Dan Wilson - guitars
Dan started playing guitar on his 15th birthday and had been in many bands before FR8. He finally joined the outfit he had followed in the Newcastle scene for years in February 2003 and draws influence from many bands such as Pantera, Slayer, Pissing Razors, Sepultura and other similar bands.

Ant Smith - drums
Ant started playing drums in February 1999 and spent a lot of time behind the kit in the early months. He jammed to old Metallica beats which moulded his style into the thumping double kick orientated style he uses today. After discovering death and black metal a year later, he began using pulse beats and more challenging bass drum patterns.

Album
*In_Cold_Blood_-_FR8 2003
*In Cold Blood 2005

*Act And The Mind Will Follow (Late 2006 / Early 2007)

Ten brand new tracks named as follows (not in album order):
*Act and the mind will follow
*Deadlock
*Forced to submit
*Blind faith
*Solitude
*Days long dead
*Stigmata
*Beyond all reason
*Less than nothing
*The last chapter

The new album is completely different from In Cold Blood, sounding more aggressive, heavier but yet melodic.

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