Biohazard Tickets

Biohazard
Back in the late ?80s, when rap was still relegated to one-hour time slots on MTV and the term hip-hop hadn't been coined yet, Biohazard from Brooklyn launched into a unique kind of sonic alchemy.

Biohazard was one of the first bands to regularly incorporate elements of both hip-hop and hardcore metal into their sound. The three boys came up with the work that was loud, controversial and groundbreaking.

The original lineup for Biohazard consisted of bassist and vocalist Evan Seinfeld, guitarist Bobby Hambel and drummer Anthony Meo. The trio was rounded out by guitarist and second vocalist Billy Graziadei.

Biohazard was formed in 1988 in Brooklyn, NY. Shortly after completing the lineup, they began opening for local hardcore and thrash bands. It happened to be among those bands who quickly built a large following through their music and constant touring.

The group released a self-titled debut in 1990 on the Maze label and by 1992, their gained enough number of fans to secure a deal with Roadrunner Records. They began to record their debut album for the labels, which turned out to be a subsequent breakthrough in their musical career.

The band named their album Urban Discipline; since their lyrical fare dealt with the harshness of urban life and the resulting anger and frustration.

Built on the groundwork laid by ?Bring the Noise?, Urban Discipline was a combination of hardcore metal riffs with sung-spoken vocals, along with hard-hitting lyrics about gang violence and drugs in the inner city.

The album led to the record selling more than a million copies. The intense fusion of the aggression of hardcore, punk and thrash metal with the socio-critical commentary and authenticity of hip-hop earned the band extensive international acclaim.

Biohazard?s fame grew and they began touring extensively. Shortly after the release of their debut album, the band toured extensively. Moreover, Biohazard took part in several collaborations with rap and hip-hop bands such as Onyx and Cypress Hill while continuing collaborating with the artists as well.

Onyx recorded an alternate version of their hit single ?Slam? with Biohazard backing them. The two groups worked together again on the Judgment Night soundtrack. 1994?s State of the World Address solidified both their reputation for intensity and their musical hybrid.

Around the time when the band was working on its following album ?State of the World Address?, guitarist bobby Hambel left the band. Biohazard reduced to a trio but was joined by ex-Helmet guitarist Rob Echevarria.

Like its predecessor, the label?s major album ?State of the World Address? also sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. The release of the album capped the band?s evolution from a Brooklyn local favorite into an international success.

They launched their fourth studio album, Mata Leao, as a three piece in 1996 and it was regarded as the group?s most seamless rap/metal fusion that-date by critics. In 1997, Biohazard produced their live album entitled ?No Holds Barred?.

The album showcased the in-concert ferocity for which the group had become revered. Biohazard next signed to Mercury Records who released the band?s debut album for their label, New World Disorder, in 1999. The guys left the label following its merger with Universal.

The rarities collection Tales followed in 2001, along with their next full-length, Uncivilization. The album featured members of Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, Pantera, Slipknot, Sepultura, Cypress Hill, Skarhead and Type O Negative.

Shortly after the release, guitarist Leo Curley exited the group. ?Kill or Be Killed?, featuring new axeman Carmine Vincent, was launched two years later.

Biohazard?s eighth and final album, Means To An End, was released in 2005 on SPV. In total, the band released eight acclaimed studio albums over a 15-year period. During that time, they were also featured prominently on two revered, Gold-certifide compilations.

These were ?Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath? and ?Judgment Night?. To these compilations, they contributed an album- opening cover of ?After Forever?, and the groundbreaking soundtrack in collaboration with Onyx respectively.

In early January of this year, the original biohazard members met and rehearsed together for the first time in a dozen years. To commemorate the band?s 20th birthday, they reunited for a series of performances in the summer of 2008.

?To be in the same room with old friends again rocked. It?s like time stood still and we?re all 19 again?, says Graziadei. ?Life is too short, and all the fights, rumors and beefs don?t matter anymore. What matters is the four of us being friends and getting up on stage again together?, Schuler adds.