Hand of Fire
{{Short description|American thrash metal band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Hand of Fire
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| alias =
| origin = Concord, California
| genre = Thrash metal
| years_active = 2015-present
| label = Rottweiler
| associated_acts = Bore, Tantrum of the Muse, Perpetual Paranoia, Vengeance Rising, Once Dead, Jungle Rot, Testament, Trauma
| website = {{URL|handoffire.band}}
| current_members = Jim Settle
Tiago Souza
Gary Neff
Forrest Nelson
Scotty McRib
| past_members = Corey Steger
Tom Eaton
Jason Borton
Greg Christian
Marcel Eaton
Bill Davies
}}
Hand of Fire is an American thrash metal band that originated in California. The project was initially formed in 2010 as a collaboration between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath) before evolving into a full band in 2015 under Settle's leadership. After signing with Rottweiler Records in 2016, they released their critically acclaimed debut album Nuclear Sunrise in 2017. The band has undergone several lineup changes throughout their career, notably including brief stints with former Testament bassist Greg Christian and Jungle Rot drummer Jason Borton. As of 2024, the band consists of Jim Settle (vocals), Tiago Souza (lead guitar), Forrest Nelson (rhythm guitar), Scotty McRib (bass, backing vocals), and Gary Neff (drums). Their sound has been characterized as a modern take on thrash metal, drawing influences from both classic and contemporary metal styles.{{cite web|url=http://yourlastrites.com/articles/1013/5q5a---hand-of-fire-| title=5Q5A - Hand of Fire|publisher=Lastrit.es|first=Dave|last=Pirtle|date=May 2016|accessdate=July 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://hmmagazine.com/blog/hm-exclusives/hm-premiere-hand-fire-drops-new-lyric-video-let-killings-begin/|title=HM PREMIERE: Hand of Fire drops new lyric video for "Let the Killings Begin"|publisher=HM Magazine|first=David|last=Stagg|date=October 28, 2016|accessdate=October 28, 2016}}
Background
Hand of Fire emerged in 2010 as a collaborative project between Jim Settle (formerly of Tantrum of the Muse) and Corey Steger (formerly of Underoath).{{cite web|url=http://www.macebeard.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/4039663/interview-hand-of-fire|title=Interview: Hand of Fire|publisher=The Bearded Dragon|first=Jim|last=Settle|interviewer=Mace Beard|date=September 19, 2016|accessdate=September 20, 2016}} The duo began writing and recording material, which caught the attention of Rottweiler Records, who offered them a contract. However, geographical constraints led to Steger's departure, prompting Settle to establish an official lineup featuring members from his other project, Bore.{{Facebook|Artistbore}}
By 2015, Hand of Fire had evolved into a fully-realized vision under Settle's leadership. The band officially signed with Rottweiler Records in May 2016,{{cite web|url=https://giantsinthesound.com/2016/05/18/rottweiler-records-releases-teaser-of-new-thrash-signing-hand-of-fire/|title=Rottweiler Records Releases Teaser Of New Thrash Signing Hand Of Fire|publisher=Giants in the Sound|author=DarcyRumble|date=May 18, 2016|accessdate=July 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1021176804584881 |title=Rottweiler Records announcement|publisher=Facebook|author=Rottweiler Records|date=May 13, 2016|accessdate=July 12, 2016}} with a lineup consisting of vocalist Jim Settle, guitarist Tiago Souza, bassist Tom Eaton, and drummer Bill Davies. Their debut album, initially titled Let the Killings Begin, was scheduled for release in December 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.indievisionmusic.com/news/rottweiler-records-announce-release-date-for-hand-of-fires-let-the-killings-begin/|title=Rottweiler Records Announce Release Date for Hand of Fire's Let the Killings Begin|publisher=Indie Vision Music|first=Mason|last=Beard|date=October 17, 2016|accessdate=November 8, 2016}} The band released a lyric video for the title track,{{cite web|url=http://www.indievisionmusic.com/news/hand-of-fire-dropped-let-the-killings-begin-lyric-video/|title=Hand of Fire Dropped "Let the Killings Begin" Lyric Video|publisher=Indie Vision Music|first=Mason|last=Beard|date=October 28, 2016|accessdate=November 8, 2016}} and ultimately released their debut album, retitled Nuclear Sunrise, on November 17, 2017, to critical acclaim.{{cite web|url=http://puregrainaudio.com/reviews/hand-of-fire-nuclear-sunrise-album-review|title=Hand of Fire - "Nuclear Sunrise"|website=Pure Grain Audio|first=Bruce|last=Moore|date=October 5, 2017|accessdate=October 5, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/618b31_7206d12c12c646dea43c7051f93afd28.pdf|title=Nuclear Sunrise - Hand Of Fire Review|website=The Metal Resource|first=Christan|last=Sullivan|date=October 2, 2017|accessdate=October 5, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indievisionmusic.com/reviews/hand-fire-nuclear-sunrise/|title=Album Review: Hand of Fire - Nuclear Sunrise|website=Indie Vision Music|first=Mason|last=Beard|date=November 17, 2017|accessdate=November 21, 2017}}
On August 24, 2018, the band premiered their new track "World of Deception" on The Covenant Metal Show through Reanimated Radio. The band underwent significant lineup changes in March 2019, with bassist Tom Eaton and drummer Bill Davies departing, replaced by Greg Christian (ex-Testament) and Jason Borton (Jungle Rot, Kataklysm) respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.themetalonslaught.com/single-post/2019/03/10/Change-Of-Direction-For-Hand-Of-Fire|title=Change Of Direction For Hand Of Fire|website=The Metal Onslaught|first=Christian|last=Sullivan|date=March 10, 2019|accessdate=March 15, 2019}} By March 2020, the lineup shifted again, with Davies returning to the band and Marcel Eaton, formerly of Trauma, joining as the new bassist, replacing Borton and Christian.{{cite web|url=https://www.themetalonslaught.com/post/hand-of-fire-and-new-line-up|title=Hand Of Fire and New Line-Up|website=The Metal Onslaught|first=Christian|last=Sullivan|date=March 3, 2020|accessdate=March 4, 2020}} Tragically, founding member Corey Steger passed away in a car accident on March 17, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/former-underoath-guitarist-corey-steger-dies-car-accident/|title=Former Underoath Guitarist Corey Steger Has Died In A Car Accident|website=Alternative Press|first=Rachel|last=Dowd|date=March 19, 2021|accessdate=March 20, 2021}}
Members
| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align: left;" |Current members |
| Name
! Instrument ! Years ! Other groups |
|---|
| Jim Settle
| lead vocals | 2010–present |Tantrum of the Muse, Once Dead, Vengeance Rising, Slag, Bore, Intercessor |
| Tiago James Souza
| lead guitar |2015–present | Bore, Perpetual Paranoia,{{cite web|url=http://mauce.nl/site/perpetual-paranoia-an-international-collaboration-of-dale-thompson-bride-tiago-james-de-souza-hands-of-fire/|title='Perpetual Paranoia' – An International Collaboration Between 'Dale Thompson' (Bride) & 'Tiago James De Souza' (Hand of Fire)|website=The Metal Resource|date=January 24, 2018|accessdate=January 25, 2018}} Through the Clouds, Godman, The Thomas Thompson Earth Project |
| Gary Neff
| drums | 2024–present | Shadowkiller, Forced Psychosis, Power Shift, Roswell |
| Forrest Nelson
| rhythm guitar | 2024–present | |
| Scotty McRib
| bass, backing vocals | 2024–present | Almost Dead, WarTroll, Gurschach, Karmic Debt |
| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align: left;" |Former members{{cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-the-story-grows/id962812433?i=339801849&mt=2|title=Jim Settle (Tantrum Of The Muse)|publisher=As the Story Grows|first=Jim|last=Settle|interviewer=Stephen Sarro and Trav Turner|date=April 12, 2015|access-date=July 10, 2016}} |
| Name
! Instrument ! Years ! Other groups |
|---|
| Corey Steger
| lead guitar | Underoath, Symmetry Point |
| Tom Eaton
| bass | 2015-2018 | Bomb and Scary, Something Left Unsaid, Bore |
| Greg Christian
| bass | 2019–2020 |Testament, Trauma, HavocHate, Fallen Trinity, Wreck-Defy, Legacy, Meshiaak |
| Jason Borton
| drums | 2019–2020 | Jungle Rot, Kataklysm, Throne of Awful Splendor, Treasonist, Thanatopsis, Where Lovers Rot, Seized of Darkness, Velaraas, Zorakarer, Arkaik, Mortal Plague, Beyond the Red Horizon, Nocturnal Plague, Zero Divide |
| Marcel Eaton
| bass | 2020–2024 | Trauma, Discordia, Serpent & Seraph |
| Bill Davies
| drums | 2015-2019, 2020–2023 | Chürchfield, Bore |
;Timeline
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bar:Greg from:03/10/2019 till:03/03/2020 color:Bass
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bar:Bill from:11/21/2015 till:03/10/2019 color:Drums
bar:Bill from:03/03/2020 till:end color:Drums
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Discography
Demo
- Let the Killings Begin (2016)
Studio albums
Singles
- "Let the Killings Begin" (2016)
- "Deck the Angels" (2016)
- "The Prophecy" (2017)
- "World of Deception" (2018)
Compilation appearances
- The Bearded Dragon's Sampler: Third Times a Charm (2017; The Bearded Dragon Productions)
- The Pack Vol. 1 (2017; Rottweiler)