Recommended Band: Watchtower

Periodically I recommend a different metal band you might not be familiar with. Most metal fans know the major artists, but sometimes it’s nice to dig a little deeper to more underground or even unsigned bands.

The latest recommended band is Watchtower. They formed in Austin, Texas in 1982. They were fronted by Jason McMaster. The band’s debut Energetic Disassembly was released in 1985. It was one of the earliest technical thrash albums, combining progressive arrangements and thrash metal riffs along with McMaster’s high pitched vocals.

McMaster joined another band, which ended up getting a record deal and changing their name to Dangerous Toys. They went on to have hit singles such as “Teas’n Pleas’n.” McMaster then left Watchtower and was replaced by Alan Tecchio. Guitarist Ron Jarzombek also joined the band during this era. Their second studio album Control And Resistance came out in 1989. Tecchio left the band in 1990 and they went on hiatus.

In 1999 Watchtower was asked to record a track for an Accept tribute album, and they reunited with McMaster as their singer. They’ve played live sporadically since then, but their third album Mathematics remains unfinished, with no immediate plans for completion.

Genre: Progressive thrash metal

Comparable Artists: Spock’s Beard, Voivod, Rush

Location: Austin, Texas

MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/officialwatchtower