Power Trip

Power Trip are a crossover thrash metal band from Dallas, Texas. Their sound -- an inseparable mix of hardcore punk, speed, and death metal -- was informed by the sounds of the Cro-Mags, Vio-Lence, Nuclear Assault, and Leeway, and draws fans from across the extreme music spectrum. The band began as a five-piece in Dallas, Texas in 2008. Their initial lineup consisted of bassist Chris Whetzel, drummer Marcus, vocalist Riley Gale, and guitarists Blake "Rossover" Ibanez and Nicky Stewart. They released a collection of five demos that same year. In 2009 Marcus left and was eventually replaced by veteran Chris Ulsh (Hatred Surge, Mammoth Grinder, the Impalers). They released a four-song EP entitled Armageddon Blues. They also began touring, first throughout Texas, then the Southwest and California, and then nationally. Usually, in addition to the band and their gear, an extended, voluntary entourage would travel with them -- often in the same van -- to help with hauling gear, working the merchandise table and the box office, etc. After non-stop touring for nearly a year and a well-deserved break (in which Ibanez went away to school), Power Trip recorded a self-titled three-song EP, which was released in 2011, before more touring, including an appearance at the 2012 Pitchfork Music Festival. In 2013, PT signed with Southern Lord, and made a splash with their showcase at SXSW. They commenced recording their debut full-length with veteran producer and mixing engineer Arthur Rizk. The album was released in June of that year as Manifest Decimation, with a sleeve design by legendary heavy metal artist Paolo Girardi. In November 2016 the band issued the single "Firing Squad" in anticipation of the release of their much-anticipated sophomore studio album, Nightmare Logic, which dropped in February 2017. Vocalist Riley Gale died on August 24, 2020 at the age of 35. ~ Thom Jurek