Biohazard Biography
Biohazard was one of the first bands to regularly incorporate elements of both hip-hop and hardcore metal into their sound; since their lyrical fare dealt with the harshness of urban life and the resulting anger and frustration, which both genres of music have been known to address, the connection only made sense, especially in light of Anthrax's highly effective collaboration with Public Enemy on 1991's "Bring the Noise." When Biohazard formed in 1988 in Brooklyn, NY, their sound was much closer to the former band than the latter; their original lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei, bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld, guitarist Bobby Hambel, and drummer Danny Schuler. They began opening for local hardcore and thrash bands and gradually built a large following through their outraged sense of injustice, political awareness, and constant touring. A self-titled debut was released in 1990 on the Maze label, but by 1992, Biohazard's fan base was strong enough to secure a deal with Roadrunner Records.
Their subsequent breakthrough album, Urban Discipline, built on the groundwork laid by "Bring the Noise," laying rhythmically shouted vocals over heavy, hip-hop-influenced beats and guitar riffs recalling both hardcore and thrash. The hardcore rap group Onyx recorded an alternate version of their hit single "Slam" with Biohazard backing them, and the two groups worked together again on the Judgment Night soundtrack, contributing the title song. 1994's State of the World Address solidified both their reputation for intensity and their musical hybrid, but Hambel then left the band, reducing them to a trio for 1996's Mata Leao, which some found the group's most seamless rap/metal fusion yet. Hambel was eventually replaced by ex-Helmet guitarist Rob Echevarria, and in 1997, Biohazard released the live album No Holds Barred, which showcased the in-concert ferocity for which the group had become revered.
Biohazard next signed to Mercury Records and released New World Disorder in 1999. The guys left the label following its merger with Universal and harkened back to their D.I.Y. days with a tour of Europe and Japan without label or managerial support. The rarities collection Tales from the B-Side followed in 2001, along with their next full-length, Uncivilization. Guitarist Leo Curley exited the group following the album's relase. Kill or Be Killed appeared two years later and featured new axeman Carmine Vincent (ex-Nucleus), who had previously roadied for the band. Means to an End, Biohazard's eighth and final album, was issued in August 2005 on SPV. Graziadei went on to form Suicide City with ex-members of Groovenics and Kittie. Meanwhile, Seinfeld appeared on the 2006 VH1 reality show Supergroup with Ted Nugent, Sebastian Bach, Scott Ian, and Jason Bonham. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Default Biography: Vancouver's Default fit the definition of straight-ahead hard rock in the early years of the 21st century: the guitar textures and melodic bent of grunge; the dark, brooding earnestness of...
Helstar Biography: Helstar was one of America's better kept heavy metal secrets throughout the 1980s, composing a string of consummate LPs that earned the band many critical accolades, but somehow failed to sell in...
Tristwood Biography: Austria's Tristwood was originally formed by bassist Deimon and guitarist Neru in 1996, then under the moniker of "December." Inspired by black metal bands like Khold, Dimmu Borgir, and Mayhem, the...
Dianogah Biography: The Chicago post-rock unit Dianogah comprised bassists Jay Ryan and Jason Harvey in tandem with drummer Kip McCabe. The group debuted in 1995 with the single "100% Tree," followed early the next year...
Quicksand Biography: The alternative metal band Quicksand emerged from the New York City hardcore scene of the late '80s; before coming together in 1990, singer/guitarist Walter Schreifels, guitarist Tom...
Ceredwen Biography: Named after the Celtic goddess of inspiration, the New Age group Ceredwen (pronounced kur-ED-win) consists of vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Renee Gray and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer...
Transvision vamp Biography: Despite almost universal critical hatred, Transvision Vamp briefly rose to the top of the U.K. charts in the late '80s, thanks largely to the media image of lead singer Wendy James, who fashioned...
Elvenking Biography: Following in the pixie boots of England's Skyclad, Finland's Finntroll, and several other such strange creatures, Italy's Elvenking unite the disparate worlds of heavy metal and acoustic folk music...