Meliah Rage

Meliah Rage is an American power/thrash metal band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1987 by guitarist/songwriter Anthony Nichols. Meliah Rage (whose name was inspired the Meliah Indian tribe's practice of taking opium before going into battle), was signed to Epic records in 1988. Characterized primarily by their thrash metal vibe married to more classical metal melodies, the band has released eight albums since their inception. Solitary Solitude, released in 1990, turned out to be Meliah Rage's last Epic release; in 1992, they left the Sony-owned label. It was also in 1992 that Meliah Rage went through some lineup changes. Jesse Johnson and Stu Dowie left the band, replaced by two newcomers: bassist Keith Vogele and drummer Sully Erna, who spent 18 months in Meliah Rage before going on to become the lead singer of the well-known, Boston-based alternative metal band Godsmack. The band's 2004 lineup united three original members—Nichols, Koury and Johnson—with drummer Barry Spillberg (ex-member of Wargasm) and new lead singer Paul Souza. Nichols had expressed interest in working with original lead singer Mike Munro again, but Munro declined the offer in order to spend more time with his family—and Souza ended up getting the gig. With that new lineup in place, Meliah Rage recorded their first album in eight years, Barely Human, which was released on Screaming Ferret Records in August 2004. The 2009 release "Masquerade," featured the return of original singer Mike Munro. The band's current 2011 lineup features Paul Souza back on vocals, Anthony Nichols and Jim Koury on guitars, Darren Lourie on bass, and Stu Dowie on drums.