Krommodon

S

teve Russel (vocals), Joe Garcia III (guitar), Russel Wilson (bass) and Johnny Branham (drums) came from the defunct Dallas/Ft. Worth outfits Krump, Bretheren and Revenant to form Krommodon. Krommodon, a fictitious but medieval sounding name chosen by Garcia, seemed appropriate for the compositions and strange nuances of music they would put together.

A demo package was quickly produced and distributed around their locality, but shortly after Wilson left to be replaced by ex-Vicious Breed bassist Mike Lacey a few months later. Their second demo was never released due to yet more personnel changes shortly after, emerging in the form of yet another replacement of the bassist position, this time by Damien DeGrimson who would also soon after leave but rejoin, this time to stay. They then toured Texas with comrades Monolith and Internal Bleeding before embarking on their premier album, Ages Of Darkness.

Very Iron Maiden influenced and medieval in subject matter (Dungeons and Dragons more like it), Ages Of Darkness (1998) proved to be their best work. Although lacking in production, it was the successful marriage of thrash meets NWOBHM sub-genres - like putting Iron Maiden and Metallica together in the same room and mixing up their membership (a.k.a. "power metal"). It was a fantasy driven recording that received some underground attention. 'Pit Bull' productions hosted Krommodon on a compilation recording soon after.