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Power Trip (band)

Power Trip is an American crossover thrash band formed in Dallas, Texas, in 2008. By 2020, Power Trip's lineup consisted of Riley Gale (lead vocals), Blake Ibanez (lead guitar), Nick Stewart (rhythm guitar), Chris Whetzel (bass) and Chris Ulsh (drums); the latter replaced drummer Marcus Johnson, who left in 2009.[1] Their current singer is Seth Gilmore, who replaced Gale in 2023, more than three years after the latter's death. They have released two studio albums to date, Manifest Decimation (2013) and Nightmare Logic (2017), plus a compilation including their early tracks and a live album.

Power Trip
Power Trip in 2019
Power Trip in 2019
Background information
OriginDallas, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 2008–2020 (hiatus)
  • 2023–present
Labels
Members
  • Blake Ibanez
  • Chris Ulsh
  • Nick Stewart
  • Chris Whetzel
  • Seth Gilmore
Past members
Websitepowertripsl.bandcamp.com

Power Trip was one of the most successful thrash metal bands of the 2010s,[citation needed] with Nightmare Logic entering the Billboard charts,[2] and receiving a number of accolades by publications.[3][4][5] A live version of the song "Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)" received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.[6][7]

History

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In 2013, the band signed with the Southern Lord Records label and released their first studio album, Manifest Decimation.[1] Their second album, Nightmare Logic, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.[8] The Guardian mentioned that singer Riley Gale's lyrics on Nightmare Logic, were about "social inequality and activism". He described Nightmare Logic as "dealing with this waking nightmare, things seem so surreal that they're unbelievable … trying to find optimism and a motivating force and realising that the 99% of us have more in common than we think".[9] The success of Nightmare Logic, as well as sharing the stage with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament, D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Napalm Death, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Five Finger Death Punch, Opeth, Danzig and Obituary,[10][11][12][13][14] helped Power Trip become one of the most popular thrash metal bands in the 2010s.[15][16]

In 2018, the album Opening Fire: 2008–2014 was released as a way to compile their extra tracks.[17] In late 2019, Power Trip announced that they were working on their third album.[18]

Vocalist Riley Gale died on August 24, 2020, at the age of 34. His death was announced by the band the next day.[9][19] In May 2021, it was reported that the official cause of death was ruled by the Dallas County's medical examiner as an accidental overdose from the "toxic effects" of fentanyl. The report also claimed that Gale, who reportedly had a history of depression and drug abuse, had been found "unresponsive on the floor at home" and the only other substance found in his system was marijuana.[20][21]

At the time of Gale's death, Power Trip was on the bill for a European tour with Lamb of God and Kreator, which was originally scheduled to take place in the spring of 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the tour being rescheduled to late 2021 and again to late 2022; the band was eventually replaced by Thy Art Is Murder and Gatecreeper.[22][23][24]

In a March 2021 interview with Los Angeles Times, the surviving members of Power Trip stated that they were unsure of the band's future, but did not rule out the possibility of continuing in Gale's memory. Lead guitarist Blake Ibanez commented, "We do want to continue to play music together; we just are not sure what that looks like at this time."[25]

On December 1, 2023, the surviving members of Power Trip played a secret surprise set at The Mohawk in Austin, Texas with Fugitive's Seth Gilmore on vocals.[26] On February 20, 2024, the band announced they would be playing several shows in 2024, starting with the No Values Festival in June, with Gilmore returning on vocals.[27] They will also embark on their first tour in over five years as a direct support for Pantera's early 2025 European tour.[28] This caused some criticism towards Power Trip, as late vocalist Riley Gale had stated in 2017 his views against Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo and refusal to tour with Superjoint, following Anselmo's allegations of Nazism and racism stemming from his controversial 2016 tribute show to Dimebag Darrell.[29]

Musical style and influences

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Their sound has been described by critics as thrash metal[1] and hardcore punk,[1][30][31] as well as simply crossover thrash.[32] Gale cited the importance of guitar riffs and pop songs: "Some of Blake [Ibanez]'s favorite bands are Killing Joke, Stone Roses, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Wipers". Gale said that he worked hard to do concise lyrics: "each word relates to the sentence, and how the sentence relates to the verse. Making sure everything's connected and there's not a syllable wasted." "I try to write something that's catchy that people can sing along to mindlessly". "[I write about] the frustrations with what I see. People's motivations".[33] AllMusic wrote that their music reached fans of both "hardcore punk and extreme music".[1]

Band members

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Current members

  • Blake Ibanez – lead guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
  • Nick Stewart – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
  • Chris Whetzel – bass (2008–present)
  • Chris Ulsh – drums, backing vocals (2009–present)
  • Seth Gilmore – lead vocals (2023–present)

Former members

  • Riley Gale – lead vocals (2008–2020; his death)
  • Marcus Johnson – drums (2008–2009)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album details
2013 Manifest Decimation
2017 Nightmare Logic
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: Southern Lord Records

Compilation albums

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Year Album details
2018 Opening Fire: 2008–2014
  • Released: April 27, 2018
  • Label: Dark Operative

Live albums

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Year Album details
2020 Live in Seattle: 05.28.2018[6][7]
  • Released: June 11, 2020
  • Label: Dark Operative

Singles

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Year Name Album
2016 Split Single release
"Firing Squad" Nightmare Logic
2017 "Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)"
"Nightmare Logic"
2018 "Hornet's Nest"[34] Adult Swim Singles Collection
2019 "When Things Go Wrong"[35] Hot Sh!t Attitude

EPs

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Year EP details
2008 Demo 2008
  • Released: 2008
2009 Armageddon Blues
  • Released: 2009
2011 Power Trip
  • Released: 2011

Awards and nominations

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Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe) - Live Best Metal Performance[6][7] Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Jurek, Thom. "Power Trip". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "Power Trip - Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "25 Best Metal Albums of 2017". Loudwire. November 27, 2017. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Weingarten, Christopher R.; Shteamer, Hank; Bienstock, Richard; Grow, Kory; Epstein, Dan (December 6, 2017). "20 Best Metal Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  5. ^ Epstein, Dan; Bennett, J.; Pessaro, Fred; Camp, Zoe; Geist, Brandon (December 5, 2017). "20 Best Albums of 2017". Revolver. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Power Trip". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "Grammy Awards 2021: In This Moment, Body Count, Code Orange, Power Trip Among 'Best Metal Performance' Nominees". Blabbermouth.net. November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "NIGHTMARE LOGIC by Power Trip". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (August 26, 2020). "Riley Gale, frontman with thrash metal band Power Trip, dies aged 34". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  10. ^ Lim, Cherrie (August 26, 2020). "Power Trip's Riley Gale passes away at age 34, leaves fans and friends devastated". Bandwagon. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  11. ^ "Riley Gale Of Power Trip Has Died". Opelika-Auburn News. Retrieved August 27, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "'Power Trip' lead singer Riley Gale passes away". Big News Network. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "Riley Gale, Singer for Thrash Band Powertrip Dead at 34". Funky Moose Records. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Obituary, Exodus & Power Trip announce tour". BrooklynVegan. June 12, 2017. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  15. ^ Konstantinos, Pappis (August 26, 2020). "Power Trip's Riley Gale Dies at 34". Our Culture Mag. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  16. ^ Deville, Chris (August 26, 2020). "Riley Gale Of Power Trip Has Died". Stereogum. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  17. ^ Kennelty, Greg (April 27, 2018). "POWER TRIP Streams Early Material Compilation Opening Fire: 2008-2014". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  18. ^ Kennelty, Greg (August 27, 2019). "POWER TRIP Working On A New Album This Week". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  19. ^ Mudrian, Albert. "Power Trip Frontman Riley Gale Dies at 34". Decibel. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  20. ^ Legaspi, Althea (May 25, 2021). "Riley Gale, Singer for Thrash Metal Band Power Trip, Dead at 34". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  21. ^ "Power Trip's Riley Gale - Cause of Death Confirmed". Loudwire. May 25, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  22. ^ "LAMB OF GOD And KREATOR Announce Spring 2020 European Co-Headlining Tour". Blabbermouth.net. April 25, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "LAMB OF GOD And KREATOR Announce Rescheduled Dates For 'State Of Unrest' European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  24. ^ "LAMB OF GOD And KREATOR Postpone 'State Of Unrest' European Tour To Fall 2022". Blabbermouth.net. October 27, 2021. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  25. ^ "For the surviving members of metal band Power Trip, the Grammys are a bittersweet coda". Los Angeles Times. March 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  26. ^ Corcoran, Nina; Hussey, Allison. "Power Trip Reunite in Texas for Surprise Set". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Greg Kennelty (February 20, 2024). "POWER TRIP Reunites, Announces First Show Back". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  28. ^ "POWER TRIP To Support PANTERA On Early 2025 European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "POWER TRIP Fans Are Pissed About The Band Opening For PANTERA". Metal Injection. September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Shepherd, Sam (March 2, 2017). "Power Trip – Nightmare Logic". musicOMH. OMH. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  31. ^ Brown, Louise. "Power Trip". The Quietus. TheQuietus.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  32. ^ Pessaro, Fred (September 20, 2017). "Power Trip: A Day In The Life Of The Crossover-Thrash Juggernaut". Revolver Magazine. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  33. ^ Reed, Dunlea (November 14, 2018). "Power Trip: Inside Crossover Thrashers' Raucous First-Ever Japanese Tour". Revolvermag.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  34. ^ Camp, Zoe (June 6, 2018). "HEAR POWER TRIP'S FURIOUS NEW STAND-ALONE SONG "HORNET'S NEST"". Revolver. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  35. ^ Hadusek, Jon (December 20, 2019). "Power Trip cover "When Things Go Wrong" by NYHC band Outburst: Stream". Yahoo! Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
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