FLOOD is a Thrash Metal band from Los Angeles, California that was co-founded in 2020 by Gary Lenaire & Guy Ritter former musicians for Tourniquet back in the early 90's. FLOOD's sound draws comparison to California based Thrash band SLAYER. With FLOOD's depth of talent and mastery of different styles of music, the band refuses to be pigeonholed as just another typical Thrash Metal band. One will find that placing the band under a certain genre is very difficult with their arrangements not only incorporate Thrash elements but also including Melodic Metal, Speed Metal, Doom, Neo-Classical Metal, and all lightly seasoned with some extreme metal flavorings.
FLOOD is some what of a supergroup with the band's roster being comprised of some big hitters including lead vocalist-Guy Ritter(Tourniquet, Echo Hollow), lead guitarist/vocalist-Gary Lenaire(Tourniquet, Echo Hollow), guitarist-Erik Mendez(Tourniquet, 2050), bassist-Anna Sentina(YouTube sensation), drummer-David Husvik(Extol, Absurd²).
FLOOD is some what of a supergroup with the band's roster being comprised of some big hitters including lead vocalist-Guy Ritter(Tourniquet, Echo Hollow), lead guitarist/vocalist-Gary Lenaire(Tourniquet, Echo Hollow), guitarist-Erik Mendez(Tourniquet, 2050), bassist-Anna Sentina(YouTube sensation), drummer-David Husvik(Extol, Absurd²).
Not long after forming in 2020, FLOOD members entered the studios and began work on recording material for a full-length album.
In 2022 FLOOD stepped onto the Metal scene with the release of their full-length debut studio album titled 'Polarized' on Acidify Records. Fans of Tourniquet are going to have plenty to get excited about with this project because 'Polarized' draws strong comparison to the band's first three albums 1990-'Stop The Bleeding', 1991-'Psycho Surgery', and 1992-'Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance'. It's worth noting that physical CD purchases come with an 8-panel color digipak complete with lyrics and band photos.
The track-list for 'Polarized' includes 1.Design 2.War In The Sky 3.The Four Seasons (Instrumental-A Neo-Classical Metalized rendition of Vivaldi's Concerto No.2 in G Minor, Rv 315, "L'estate" (Summer)) 4.Darfur (Was originally posted as a demo track years ago, FLOOD recorded the instrumental just as it was originally intended to be) 5.Polarized 6.Biotech Babylon 7.In Remission (Instrumental) 8.My Last Ride (about animal abandonment) 9.Freeloading Larceny 10.The Order Of Melchizedek (Instrumental-Hebrews 7:11-25 and Psalms 110:1-7) 11.Stop The Bleeding (This is not the same track from Tourniquet's original 1990 release. This is a more recent 2017 Gary Lenaire written song).
Lead vocalist-Guy Ritter's vocal delivery is as strong as ever and plays a big part in helping the band to capture their unique one-of a-kind sound. Ritter got his start as a singer back in 1985, at the early age of 19 when he joined a band called Holy Danger. Just two years later, in 1987, the group disbanded. Then in 1989, Ritter made the move to Los Angeles to search for talented musicians in order to form a new band. He soon discovered Gary Lenaire & Ted Kirkpatrick and they went on to form the world renown band Tourniquet. In 1993, after recording 3 full-length albums with the group, Ritter said his goodbyes to the band. However, in 1996 Ritter & Gary Lenaire came together to form a new band called Echo Hollow.
Without question, guitarist-Gary Lenaire wields a mean axe and drops some sick licks on this project. However, what most people don't know about Gary is that he also wears a number of other hats including lead vocalist, composer, producer, songwriter, and author. Over the years, Gary has accumulated many accolades to his credit including the release of 14 studio records, was nominated for six GMA (Dove) Awards, and received HM Magazine’s "Guitarist of the Year” award from 1994-1996.
Guitarist-Erik Mendez is originally from the Philippines but not long after moving to the U.S. he joined a Glam Metal band called 'Royal Priesthood' out of California. Then in 1990, he briefly joined the widely acclaimed Metal band 'RECON' where he replaced guitarist-Eddie Starline. Unfortunately, RECON disbanded that same year leaving Mendez unemployed and without a band. However, it wasn't long before he was introduced to the band Tourniquet where he was brought on board and added to the band's roster becoming the group's second guitarist.
Bassist-Anna Sentina's heavy bass work really stands out and shines on this project. Over the years with the exposure she has received, Anna Sentina has become a YouTube sensation. In 2012, Sentina started her own YouTube channel posting several cover videos on guitar, bass, and piano of some popular Metal and Rock songs. In 2014, at the young age of 19, Sentina went on to become a YouTube Partner or (YPP). In November of 2015, Sentina's cover of Seinfeld's Theme Song was posted by Sports Illustrated-online. In addition, Sentina has worked with various finalist in the show 'America's Got Talent' including cellists-'Emil and Dariel' along with vocalist-Kevin Martin(Candlebox).
Drummer-David Husvik delivers up a heavy dose of punishing drum lines on this debut project. Husvik is a Norwegian percussionist who comes well seasoned having played in various Metal bands including Extol, Ganglion, Absurd², Twisted Into Form, InSection, AZUSA, and Aperture. Also, in 2007 David Husvik co-founded a band called Pirates N' Thieves.
Lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"War In The Sky"
Seven churches Seven Spirits
Alpha and Omega died
Rose again though satan lied...
...War on believers
Driving the bride to despair
You don't know
what day or time that God will be back
I can see the spirit's flyin' death defyin'
War war in the sky
War War in the sky
Rumors of war the veil He tore
The life exhausted through His breath
We escaped the second death
Evil reprobates spirit of the air suffocates
"Stop The Bleeding"
(2017 - Gary Lenaire)
I’m an echo from your past
And the future is fading fast
So listen now this voice is reason
Take the hands of wounded brothers
Make your stand don’t wait for others
The world needs love so burn the brightest fire
I know you know
I know you don’t believe this world is hopeless
Now we must believe together
Sharing all to love forever
Stop the bleeding now and be the answer
"Design"
I can see the design
Alpha Omega
The Architect
Maker of all that there is
Creator of all the galaxies
And eons of time
The Ancient of days
Divine
Through Your Word
All reality was spoke into life I believe
Upon this Rock
You built Your bride to be
Sacred anatomy
Seven churches Seven Spirits
Alpha and Omega died
Rose again though satan lied...
...War on believers
Driving the bride to despair
You don't know
what day or time that God will be back
I can see the spirit's flyin' death defyin'
War war in the sky
War War in the sky
Rumors of war the veil He tore
The life exhausted through His breath
We escaped the second death
Evil reprobates spirit of the air suffocates
"Stop The Bleeding"
(2017 - Gary Lenaire)
I’m an echo from your past
And the future is fading fast
So listen now this voice is reason
Take the hands of wounded brothers
Make your stand don’t wait for others
The world needs love so burn the brightest fire
I know you know
I know you don’t believe this world is hopeless
Now we must believe together
Sharing all to love forever
Stop the bleeding now and be the answer
"Design"
I can see the design
Alpha Omega
The Architect
Maker of all that there is
Creator of all the galaxies
And eons of time
The Ancient of days
Divine
Through Your Word
All reality was spoke into life I believe
Upon this Rock
You built Your bride to be
Sacred anatomy
"If you love God and heavy melodic metal, then check FLOOD out!" - Michael Sweet(Stryper) -
If you are into bands like Tourniquet, Slayer, and Adorned Graves then your are going to love what FLOOD has delivered up with their 2022 debut album. Help support the band and Metal music by picking up your copy of FLOOD's 'Polarized' release today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Guy Ritter (Tourniquet, Echo Hollow) - Lead Vocals
Gary Lenaire (Tourniquet, Echo Hollow) - Guitars & Lead(Shouted Vocals)
Erik Mendez (Tourniquet, 2050) - Guitars
Anna Sentina - Bass
David Husvik (Extol, Absurd²) - Drums
Guy Ritter (Tourniquet, Echo Hollow) - Lead Vocals
Gary Lenaire (Tourniquet, Echo Hollow) - Guitars & Lead(Shouted Vocals)
Erik Mendez (Tourniquet, 2050) - Guitars
Anna Sentina - Bass
David Husvik (Extol, Absurd²) - Drums