The band's foundation formed when guitarists Rod Mariani and Don Dioro answered separate ads placed by drummer Mike Paradine. Having just left his previous band Mike was looking to start a new group influenced by the traditional metal of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motorhead.
Rod, who lived in Clinton, N.J., was a fan of newer power metal bands like Symphony X and Primal Fear as well as the pioneers like Deep Purple. Getting together with Mike, the two hit it off immediately and started...
The band's foundation formed when guitarists Rod Mariani and Don Dioro answered separate ads placed by drummer Mike Paradine. Having just left his previous band Mike was looking to start a new group influenced by the traditional metal of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motorhead.
Rod, who lived in Clinton, N.J., was a fan of newer power metal bands like Symphony X and Primal Fear as well as the pioneers like Deep Purple. Getting together with Mike, the two hit it off immediately and started jamming on some old classics.
Don joined the fray soon after. Coincidentally, he was also living in Mike's hometown of Bayonne, N.J. though the two had not met before. Like Mike, Don had experience playing in bands in the local scene. After spending time in acts ranging from classic rock cover bands to death metal groups, he was looking for an outlet for the large number of riffs and songs he had been stockpiling since high school days.
The threesome got together in a run down studio in Jersey City, N.J. and it was soon obvious that their musical styles were compatible and that they could create original music they would enjoy playing.
After a year spent mostly in rehearsal studios, writing, practicing and honing the material, it was time to find a voice for the band. Several false starts set the band back a bit but in the cold month of February 2003, Dave Lowe stepped up to the mike. Ambling into the audition on crutches with his left foot in a cast (the result of a mishap with a warehouse hi-lo) Lowe proved his voice was in fine working order and impressed with his rendition of Judas Priest's "Victim of Changes." With influences running the full spectrum of heavy music, Dave had previously fronted the bands Atmosfear and Warped Reality in his native Staten Island, N.Y.
After a trying search the long vacant bass slot was filled by John Spear of Greenwood Lakes, N.Y. in September 2003. As the band continued working on their first demo a chance to perform a gig surfaced. The venue was Don Hill's located on the lower west side of Manhattan. The date was Tuesday, Oct. 14 and they were to open for the legendary hard rock band, Thin Lizzy. Along with Mike being a huge Lizzy fan, it seemed like a good initial show because Thin Lizzy was known as one of the greatest Irish rock bands and ArcticFlame had been dabbling with the Celtic sound. Since John had only been in the band less than a month rehearsals were many.
Even though it was a rainy Tuesday night, the show went over well with an appreciative crowd response and even members of the Thin Lizzy band and crew complimenting the band on a fine first performance.
After leaving to pursue other interests, Spear was replaced in April 2004 by longtime performance veteran, Jeff Scott of Long Beach Island, N.J.
In July 2004, the band entered Gear Studios in Shrewsberry, N.J. with producer/guitarist extraordinaire Jack Frost of Seven Witches/Savatage fame, to record their debut record. By mid-August the team had produced eight sparkling tracks, although a few technical glitches delayed release. The tracks were finalized in December of 2004 and the band has since self-released a five track EP from those sessions. The band soon signed with Battle Cry Records who then released the full length CD, "Primeval Aggressor".
Jeff leaves for personal reasons and is still friends with the band His replacement is 19 year old, Old Bridge, NJ resident, Jon Norberg.
Soon after Don Dioro and the band parted ways as the guitarist had conflicting ideas with the rest of the band.
Steve Demalion fills the guitar player slot temporarily and contributes material for the second CD. He leaves soon after recording sessions is finished.
Sebastian Garcia steps in on July 2008 and fills the spot permanently.
The band has gone on to become a regular attraction on the New Jersey/New York metal scene and along with the aforementioned Thin Lizzy has opened for international acts like Motorhead, WASP, Michael Schenker, Helloween, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Joey Belladonna, Kip Winger and Overkill.
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