A true classic band in extreme metal history, DÉTENTE may be best known as one of the first bands to Crossover Thrash Metal with Punk influences.
DÉTENTE was formed in 1985 by vocalist Dawn Crosby, drummer Dennis Butler, guitarists Ross Robinson, and bassist Steve Hochheiser, with the addition of guitarist Caleb Quinn the line-up was set. The group a demo which included Widow’s Walk and Holy War worked the clubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco playing with such bands as DRI, COC, Legacy (Testament), Vio-lence, Megadeth, Dark Angel, and many others. In the mean time the band was becoming a favorite with fanzines around the world and such notable publications as Kerrang and Rock Hard and also began garnering much attention on various college radio programs quickly catching the attention of the various labels including Combat, Music for Nations, Metal Blade Records, and Roadrunner.
After signing their record deal with Roadrunner, DÉTENTE recorded Recognize No Authority. In the studio cracks in the band develop due to personality differences and an extremely tight schedule. The near constant turmoil between Dawn Crosby and producer, Dana Strum, endangered the project, but somehow the record is finished and released to critical praise. Hitting record stores in 1986, Recognize No Authority is unique for it’s day featuring some of the most frantic speed/thrash metal with punk overtones, a style strongly characterized by the heavy, screaming yet stylish guitars, pounding bass lines, and the totally unrestrained vocals by Dawn Crosby who practically screams her lungs out on tracks like Holy War and Shattered Illusions. Unlike many of thier peers DÉTENTE also offered a unique perspective. Instead of the typical lust and hate lyrics that were offered by many of the 80's thrash metal bands DÉTENTE focused on the political and social edge of metal and searched for meaning by asking unpopular questions. While the "Blood I Bleed" focused on the exploitation of women "Holy War" questioned the Middle East conflict. Sales are good in Europe but the band was licensed to Metal Blade in the USA where virtually no marketing is put into the album resulting in weak sales. DÉTENTE plays a few more gigs, ending with a show at the Country Club in Reseda. Then the band decides to take a break. Dennis has a work-related accident with acid, getting burned over a large part of his body. Dawn goes to Europe on a promotional tour. The individual members of the band go their own ways. This eventually leads to Steve and Ross forming Catalepsy while Dawn and Dennis eventually form Fear of God.
In 2007 after the successful reissue of Recognize No Authority the band reformed and continues to play live and write new material; expect to see a new CD in 2009!.
Hey Steve! How have you been doing? It's been long time no news... I hope everything's fine with you and the band... Any Euro trip planned? Personal or with the band?
Após o lançamento do CD "Unnatural Display Of Art", no Brasil pelo selo paulista Voice Music, a banda de thrash metal DISTRAUGHT lança o CD no Japão pelo selo "Spiritual Beast", tendo o CD uma faixa bonus, que é uma nova versão da música "Nothing to Say" do primeiro album "Nervous System", mantendo assim a tradição dos lançamentos japoneses. Confira no site: http://www.spiritual-beast.com/distraught/index.html
After releasing the CD "Unnatural Display Of Art" in Brazil by Voice Music label, the thrash metal band DISTRAUGHT launches the CD in Japan by the label "Spiritual Beast," the CD with a bonus track, is a new version the song "Nothing to Say" the first album "Nervous System", maintaining the tradition of the Japanese release. Check the website: http://www.spiritual-beast.com/distraught/index.html