Hatchet (band)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Hatchet

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alias =

| origin = San Francisco, California, U.S.

| genre = Thrash metal

| years_active = 2005–present

| label = {{flatlist|

Metal Blade
The End
Combat
M-Theory Audio

}}

| website =

| current_members = * Julz Ramos

Ben Smith
Clayton Cagle
Devin Reiche

| past_members = * Marcus Kirchen

Sterling Bailey
Jon Fryman
Clark Webb
Lou Bianco
Dan Voigt
Ryan King
Travis Russey
Joey Karpowicz
Kody Barba
Dave Wert
Alex Perez
Eli Lucas

}}

Hatchet is an American thrash metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in January 2005{{cite web|url=https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-new-songs-available-for-streaming/|title=HATCHET: New Songs Available For Streaming|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} by guitarist and vocalist Julz Ramos, the band's only remaining original member.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hatchet-mn0000996026/biography|title=Hatchet – Biography & History|publisher=All Music Guide|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/artists/hatchet/|title=Hatchet – Metal Blade Records|publisher=Metal Blade Records|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} To date, they have released four studio albums, two demos and two EPs, and are now notable for being part of the thrash metal revival movement in the late 2000s. Influenced by the new wave of British heavy metal and Bay Area thrash metal scenes of the 1980s, Hatchet's music has been described as "old-school thrash metal".

History

Hatchet was formed in January 2005, and recorded their first demo Frailty of the Flesh the following year. Following this was their second demo, simply titled Frailty Demo, and a self-titled EP, both released in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/artist/hatchet|title=HATCHET discography (top albums) and reviews|publisher=Metal Music Archives|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} These releases as well as an appearance on the Thrash Metal Warriors compilation and high-profile shows in the Bay Area (such as opening for a reunited Possessed) attracted the attention of Metal Blade Records, who released the band's debut album Awaiting Evil in May 2008. Awaiting Evil received positive reviews from the music press,{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/awaiting-evil/|title=CD Reviews – Awaiting Evil Hatchet|date=July 7, 2008 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} and several months after its release the band went on hiatus. By early 2009, however, Ramos reformed Hatchet with a new lineup featuring himself and Sterling Bailey on guitar, Eric Lundgren on vocals, Ryan King on bass and Alex Perez on drums,{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-seeking-new-vocalist-bassist/|title=HATCHET Seeking New Vocalist, Bassist|date=February 2, 2009 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} and following this, the band embarked on a US tour with Havok.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-to-introduce-new-lineup-on-u-s-tour/|title=HATCHET To Introduce New Lineup On U.S. Tour|date=September 2009 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}

It took five years, more member changes and a switch to record labels (from Metal Blade to The End), until the release of their second album Dawn of the End in March 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-signs-with-the-end-records/|title=HATCHET Signs With THE END RECORDS|date=November 21, 2012 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-dawn-of-the-end-details-revealed/|title=HATCHET: 'Dawn Of The End' Details Revealed|date=January 8, 2013 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} The album got good reviews,{{cite web|url=http://metalassault.com/album_reviews/2013/02/20/hatchet-dawn-of-the-end/|title=Hatchet – Dawn of the End|date=February 20, 2013 |publisher=Metal Assault|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=12555|title=Hatchet – Dawn Of The End review|publisher=Metal Storm|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} and Hatchet toured relentlessly in support of it, reportedly playing over 200 shows with the likes of Soilwork, the Jeff Loomis Band, Blackguard, Trivium, Flotsam and Jetsam, Exmortus, Warbringer, Havok, Lich King, Black Tide, Cellador and Threat Signal.{{cite web|url=https://combatrecs.com/artist/hatchet/|title=Hatchet – Combat Records|publisher=Combat Records|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} The success of Dawn of the End also resulted in Hatchet shooting their first-ever music video "Signals of Infection".{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-signals-of-infection-video-premiere/|title=HATCHET: 'Signals Of Infection' Video Premiere|date=February 20, 2013 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}

Hatchet's third album, Fear Beyond Lunacy, was released on October 30, 2015, and was their first and only release with the new lineup of Ramos, Clayton Cagle on guitar, Kody Barba on bass, and Ben Smith on drums. Fear Beyond Lunacy was well received by the music press, with Blabbermouth.net describing it as "a well-performed replication of classic San Fran thrash, reminiscent of Testament, Death Angel, Heathen and Exodus along with L.A.'s Agent Steel."{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/fear-beyond-lunacy/|title=CD Reviews – Fear Beyond Lunacy Hatchet|date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} In promotion of Fear Beyond Lunacy, music videos were shot for "In Fear We Trust" and "Tearing Into Hell",{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/hatchet-premier-in-fear-we-trust-music-video|title=HATCHET Premier "In Fear We Trust" Music Video|publisher=Bravewords|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/hatchet-release-tearing-into-hell-music-video|title=HATCHET Premier "Tearing Into Hell" Music Video|publisher=Bravewords|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} and Hatchet toured for nearly two years in support of the album, sharing the stage with the likes of Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, Helstar, Act of Defiance, Eliminate, Black Fast and Green Death. Fear Beyond Lunacy would also be Hatchet's final album before they switched record labels from The End to Combat Records.

Hatchet's fourth album and Combat debut, Dying to Exist, was released on June 22, 2018, and has been described by critics as the band's "heaviest and most focused release to date."{{cite web|url=https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/hatchet-to-release-dying-to-exist-album-in-june-desire-for-oppression-video-available/|title=HATCHET To Release 'Dying To Exist' Album In June; 'Desire For Oppression' Video Available|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} This was also Hatchet's first album to chart in the US, peaking at number 23 on Billboard{{'}}s Top Heatseekers chart,{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hatchet|title=Hatchet – Billboard|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} and the band released three videos in order to promote the album: "Desire for Oppression", "Silent Genocide" and "Back Into Dust".{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/hatchet-launch-desire-for-oppression-video-dying-to-exist-cover-art-revealed|title=HATCHET Launch "Desire For Oppression" Video; Dying To Exist Cover Art Revealed|publisher=Bravewords|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/exclusive-hatchet-premieres-silent-genocide-music-video|title=Exclusive: HATCHET Premieres "Silent Genocide" Music Video|publisher=Bravewords|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/hatchet-release-back-into-dust-music-video-on-tour-with-kataklysm-this-fall|title=HATCHET Release "Back Into Dust" Music Video; On Tour With KATAKLYSM This Fall|publisher=Bravewords|accessdate=August 20, 2020}} Hatchet toured non-stop for almost two years in support of Dying to Exist, playing with bands like Kataklysm, Exhorder, Exmortus, The Absence, Krisiun, Novareign, Immortal Guardian, Black Fast and Micawber.{{cite web|url=https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/kataklysm-exhorder-krisiun-and-hatchet-summer-fall-2019-north-american-tour-dates-announced/|title=KATAKLYSM EXHORDER, KRISIUN And HATCHET: Summer/Fall 2019 North American Tour Dates Announced|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}

Hatchet released a new EP, titled Leave No Soul, on October 25, 2024, through M-Theory Audio.{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=52026|title=Hatchet - Release New Song 'Leave No Soul'|publisher=Metal Storm|access-date=December 6, 2023|date=December 6, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=55215|title=Hatchet - To Release New EP|publisher=Metal Storm|access-date=August 26, 2024|date=August 26, 2024}}