The 1990’s (second part)
Manslaughter
Manslaughter was an early milestone in the career of guitarist Aldo Delle Rose, who later relocated to the UK and joined Ironstorm before becoming a member of the UK band Arkham Witch. Widely known as "Dodo," Aldo has earned acclaim for his exceptional guitar skills and has contributed to several metal projects.
Beyond his time with Manslaughter, Aldo played a key role in two demos by Let 'Em Burn, under the pseudonym "The Beretta From Valletta," appearing on First Assault (2006) and Second Wave (2007). His work across various bands has highlighted his versatile and evolving talent in the metal genre, particularly in traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Aldo’s contributions to Arkham Witch have further solidified his reputation for his distinctive style and unwavering dedication, cementing his status as a significant figure in the underground metal scene.
Kremation
Kremation, active during the mid-1980s, made a notable impact on the underground metal scene with their raw, high-energy sound. Their lone release, Guardian of the Realm, was issued in 1987 as a cassette and featured a fusion of classic heavy metal riffs and commanding vocals.
The band’s lineup included Karl Fiorini on vocals, Mike Rizzo on guitars, Ritchie Rizzo on drums, and Albert Bell on bass. Ritchie Rizzo, also known as Richard Rizzo, later joined Possessed Steel, further establishing his presence in the metal community. Albert Bell, a highly influential figure in the genre, went on to contribute to several prominent bands, including Forsaken, Nomad Son, X-Vandals, and his solo project, Albert Bell’s Sacro Sanctus.
Although Kremation’s tenure was short-lived, Guardian of the Realm endures as a cherished relic of the 1980s underground metal scene, celebrated by collectors and genre enthusiasts alike.
Covenant
Covenant was a technical death metal project led by William Cauchi, known for his work with the band Spin. The project released a live demo titled Livebuzz II, 18.3.94, High School, Msida, Malta in 1994, which was later reviewed in Script Infernal 'zine # 1
Dirt
Dirt was a thrash metal band that released their demo Demo 4.98 in 1998, showcasing their raw and aggressive style. The band also made a notable appearance on the compilation The Core of Creation (Storm, 1996), contributing the track "Fresh Blood." Their music captured the essence of thrash metal with fast-paced riffs, aggressive rhythms, and intense vocals, earning them recognition within the underground metal scene.
Extremity
Extremity was an active metal band from 1989 to 1993, known for their intense and dynamic sound. They released a demo in 1991 on cassette, featuring original tracks like "Hard Way of Livin'," "AfterDeath," "Despair," and "Ugly Duckling." The band also recorded at least five audio and video tracks between 1990 and 1991 at Radio City Hall in Hamrun, which were later compiled into a homemade DVD-R. The last known lineup consisted of Chris Vella on bass, Jean Pierre Gatt on drums (who later played with Purple Haze, Limestone Kick, and recently with Valiantis), Sandro Lanzon and William Attard McCarthy on guitars, and Patrick Vella on vocals.
Masada
Masada was a doom metal band that emerged in the mid-1990s, known for their dark and atmospheric sound. Their discography includes the demo Untrodden, released in 1995, which captured the somber and heavy essence of their style. They also contributed the track "Redemption" to the compilation The Storm Has Begun (Storm, 1995). The lineup consisted of Mark Farrugia on bass (later a member of Bound to Prevail), Chris Osmond on drums and percussion, Kevin Aquilina and Anthony Sultana on guitars, and Ivan Borg on vocals.
Metalmilitia
Metalmilitia, a thrash metal band active in the late 1990s, originated from an earlier project called Thera, which contributed the track "Sin or Die" to the 1996 compilation The Core of Creation. Thera's lineup included members who did not transition to Metalmilitia, such as Stuart Zammit (bass), Michael Anastaisi (drums), David Gonzi (guitars), Andrew Tabone (bass), Nicky Morales (guitars), and Dave Lauri (guitars).
Metalmilitia released the Sin or Die EP in 1999, highlighting their aggressive and energetic sound. The band’s final known lineup featured Lexy Chop on bass, Errol Sammut on lead guitars, and Paul Des handling rhythm guitars and vocals. Previous members included Andrew and Jon Corrieri on bass and drums, respectively, along with Mike Bonett on guitars.
Building on the foundation laid by Thera, Metalmilitia refined their approach to create a distinctive and forceful identity within the thrash metal genre.
Sanity
Sanity was a metal band active in the mid-1990s, known for their contribution to the underground metal scene. Their discography includes a self-titled demo recorded in February-March 1995 at Padded Cell Studio, capturing the raw and intense energy of their sound. The band also appeared on the compilation The Storm Has Begun (1995) with the track "The Insane's Tale," further showcasing their unique style. Sanity's lineup featured Dorian Dalli on bass, Johann Portelli on drums, Jeremy Cassar on guitars, and Marc Cabourdin on vocals, blending their talents into a compelling and memorable musical project. Music producer and versatile musician Toby Farrugia spent some time as the drummer for Sanity.
Trial By Fate
Trial By Fate was a band that blended elements of epic heavy, power, and thrash metal, carving a distinct niche in the metal scene. Their discography includes the Glory demo, which highlighted their dynamic sound and intricate compositions. They also featured on the compilation The Storm Has Begun (1995) with the track "Once Upon a Time," further establishing their presence in the genre. The band's lineup included Konrad Borg on bass, Gianfranco Stellini on drums, Malcolm Borg on guitars, and Gavin Borg handling vocals and guitars.
Unknown Serenity
Unknown Serenity was a band rooted in the fusion of death, doom, and black metal, originally formed under the name Anopheles by founding members Celis, Mark, and Brian, later joined by Ryan. The band’s evolution led to the name change and the release of notable works such as the Harmless Beauty demo in 1997 and Towards the Shores of Ancient demo in 2000. Their music also featured on various compilations, including "Ruins" on Tomorrow's Millionaires (1998), "Evoking Past Tragedies" on Sometimes Death Is Better Vol. 5-9 (1998), and "Ode to Isis" on Atlantida Compilation.
Though these bands are not active anymore, they contributed significantly to Malta's metal scene in the 1990s, each bringing their unique style and sound to the genre.
Stay tuned for……
The Evolution of the Maltese Metal Scene: (Disbanded Bands) The 2000’s
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