Battlecross

Artist Playlist

Genre: Rock

Biography: Incorporating many elements of thrash and death metal, BATTLECROSS inspires the tech-metal guru and the old-school die hard alike. Together the five piece create a memorable blend of melody, abrasive aggression, and blunt brutality all in the name of metal. Inspired by the greats, Tony Asta and Hiran Deraniyagala have consistently played guitar together since 1997. Never discouraged by painstaking struggle to find reliable and driven members, a variation of the band originally formed in 2003 and was named BATTLECROSS in 2004. However, the true formation of BATTLECROSS was born during a drum audition in the spring of 2007 in a run down rehearsal space a stone's throw from Detroit, Michigan. Michael Kreger's drumming added the intensity the band previously lacked, opened the opportunity for growth, and proved to be just the right match for Tony and Hiran’s ever-evolving writing style. Playing the occasional local show, supporting the scene, and growing as a band exponentially since the reformation, the addition of a career altering manager in early 2008 shed light the band's future goals of going beyond the local bars. Bringing a whole new level of musicianship with his quick finger picking and tasteful bass solos, Don Slater joined the group in the fall of 2008 with a skill and technique that impresses even the most prolific bassists. Then finally in 2010, known for his command of the stage and alternating deep growls with high pitched screams, the band was at last complete when popular Michigan vocalist, Kyle “Gumby” Gunther, earned his roll as the frontman of BATTLECROSS.