Fire from the Gods

American rap metal band

Fire from the Gods

Fire from the Gods live at Rock am Ring 2022

Background information
Origin| Austin, Texas, U.S.
Genres|

* Rap metal[1][2]
* hard rock[2]
* metalcore[2]

Years active| 2007–present
Labels|

* Rise
* Eleven Seven
* Better Noise

Members|

* Drew Walker
* Bonner Baker
* Jameson Teat
* Richard Wicander
* AJ Channer

Past members|

* Michael Vincent
* Eric July
* Chris Mardis
* Tony Esparza
* Chad Huff
* Judson Curtis
* Jebediah Roper

Website| www.firefromthegods.com

Fire from the Gods (often abbreviated as FFTG) is an American rap metal band formed in Austin, Texas in 2007. The band is currently signed to Better Noise and consists of lead guitarist Drew Walker, bassist Bonner Baker, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jameson Teat, drummer Richard Wicander and lead vocalist AJ Channer.

FFTG has released three full-length albums to date: Narrative (2016, Rise), American Sun (2019, Eleven Seven), Soul Revolution (2022, Better Noise).

## History

[edit]

### Formation, early years and lineup changes (2007-2015)

[edit]

Fire from the Gods was formed in Austin, Texas in 2007 by guitarists Drew Walker and Tony Esparza, bassist Bonner Baker, keyboardist Jebediah Roper, drummer Chad Huff, and vocalist Michael Vincent, who came together following a local battle of the bands.[3][4] Their original vocalist was Michael Vincent, who still has the recordings of their EP "Sweet Lasting Revenge" on his personal YouTube account, which also appears to have previously been the official band page.[5][6] Their musical genre and influences were described as "blending hip-hop, metal and hardcore".[7]

In 2013, Judson Curtis replaced Chad Huff on drums in time for the Sweet Lasting Revenge EP and Michael Vincent would be replaced on vocals by Eric July for Politically Incorrect EP (2013). At the end of 2013, Jameson Teat and Richard Wicander replaced Tony Esparza and Judson Curtis on rhythm guitar and drums respectively. Chris Mardis was originally hired as a fill-in vocalist after departure of Eric July at this same time, but then stayed onboard when the band officially added A.J. Channer in 2014.[8]

### Narrative and Narrative Retold (2015-2019)

[edit]

On October 12, 2015, Fire from the Gods released "Pretenders", their first single under Rise Records. The single version of the song included both Channer and Mardis on vocals. Following the departure of Mardis in 2016 as FFTG were recording Narrative, Channer became the sole vocalist.[9]

Narrative, the band's debut full length album, was produced by David Bendeth and released on August 26, 2016 via Rise. The album contained the hit singles "Excuse Me" and "End Transmission", and tackled controversial subjects such as racism and abuse of power.

In 2017 the album was re-released as Narrative Retold with the addition of two new songs, "The Voiceless" and "The Taste", both of which were produced by Korn's Jonathan Davis. Following the release of Narrative Retold, the band went on tour with Born of Osiris, Volumes, Within the Ruins, Oceans Ate Alaska, and later with P.O.D., Alien Ant Farm and Powerflo.[10][11]

In 2018, Fire from the Gods supported such acts as Sevendust, Of Mice & Men, Memphis May Fire and In Flames on selected dates of their respective US headlining tours.

### American Sun and American Sun: Reimagined (2019-2021)

[edit]

In 2019, the band signed with Five Finger Death Punch guitarist's Zoltan Bathory record label Eleven Seven, and released their second album American Sun on November 1, 2019, produced by Erik Ron.[12] The album was preceded by singles "Truth To the Weak (Not Built To Collapse)" (released on July 26, 2019), "Right Now" (August 30, 2019) and "Make You Feel It" (October 4, 2019).[13] It also contains song "They Don't Like It" featuring Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. American Sun, like Narrative, deals with issues such as political unrest, technological overload, political discord, and environmental apathy.

In July 2019, Fire from the Gods toured supporting Five Finger Death Punch alongside In This Moment. Coinciding with the release of American Sun, the band supported Five Finger Death Punch, alongside Bad Wolves and Three Days Grace, on a tour that started with back-to-back shows at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on November 1 and 2, 2019.

On June 18, 2021, the band released a four-track American Sun: Reimagined EP.[14]

On August 27, 2021, a song "Victory (feat. Matt B. of From Ashes to New)" was released as the last single supporting American Sun.

### Soul Revolution (2021-present)

[edit]

In December, 2021, AJ Channer announced on the Lonestar Collective podcast that the band would be going into the studio in January, 2022 to begin recording their third album. [15]

In March-April of 2022, FFTG toured US supporting From Ashes to New on their Still Panicking Tour alongside Blind Channel, Kingdom Collapse and Above Snakes.[16] From August to October, 2022, the band toured as a supporting act for Five Fingers Death Punch on their headlining US tour alongside Megadeth and The HU.[17]

The band's third album, Soul Revolution, co-produced by Erik Ron and Richard Wicander, was released on October 28, 2022, via Better Noise Music to positive reviews.[18][19] It was preceded by singles "SOS" (released on June 3, 2022), "Soul Revolution" (July 15, 2022), "Thousand Lifetimes" (August 26, 2022) and "World So Cold" (September 30, 2022).[20]

In February-March 2023, FFTG toured as a supporting act for Norma Jean's US The Deathrattle Tour alongside Greyhaven.[21]

"Thousand Lifetimes" was re-recorded featuring Corey Glover of Living Colour and re-released as a single on February 17, 2023.[22]

## Members

[edit]

### Current members

[edit]

* Drew Walker – lead guitar (2007–present)
* Bonner Baker – bass (2007–present)
* Jameson Teat – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
* Richard Wicander – drums (2013–present)
* AJ Channer – lead vocals (2014–present)

### Former members

[edit]

* Jebediah Roper – keyboards (2007–2009)
* Chad Huff – drums (2007–2011)
* Michael Vincent – lead vocals (2007–2012)
* Eric July – lead vocals (2012–2013)
* Tony Esparza – rhythm guitar (2007–2013)
* Judson Curtis – drums (2011–2013)
* Chris Mardis – lead vocals, keyboards (2013–2014)

Timeline

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

Title  | Details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

Dig.
[23] | US
Hard
[24] | US
Heat.
[25] | US
Indie.
[26] | US
Sale.
[27]
Narrative |

* Released: July 6, 2016
* Label: Rise

| — | 16 | 17 | 46 | —
American Sun |

* Released: November 1, 2019
* Label: Eleven Seven

| 22 | — | 6 | 20 | 79
Soul Revolution |

* Released: October 28, 2022
* Label: Better Noise

| — | — | — | — | —

### EPs

[edit]

* Sleeping with Anchors and Mirrors (2010)
* Sweet Lasting Revenge (2011)
* Politically Incorrect (2013)
* American Sun: Reimagined (2021)
* Soul Revolution: Acoustic Vibes (2023)

### Singles

[edit]

Year  | Song  | Peak chart positions  | Album

|
|
|

Air.
[28] | US
Main.
[29] | US
Rock
[30]
2013  | "Smoke Screen"  | —  | —  | —  | Politically Incorrect
2015  | "EAT"  | —  | —  | —  | non-album single[31]
2015  | "Pretenders"  | —  | —  | —  | Narrative
2016  | "Excuse Me"  | —  | —  | —
"End Transmission"  | —  | —  | —
2017  | "The Voiceless"  | —  | —  | —  | Narrative Retold
"The Taste"  | —  | —  | —
2019  | "Truth to the Weak (Not Built to Collapse)"  | —  | —  | —  | American Sun
"Right Now"  | 26  | 6  | 48
2020  | "American Sun"  | —  | —  | —
2021  | "Victory (feat. Matt B. of From Ashes to New)"  | —  | —  | —
2022  | "SOS"  | —  | —  | —  | Soul Revolution
"Soul Revolution"  | —  | —  | —
"Thousand Lifetimes"  | —  | —  | —
"World So Cold"  | —  | —  | —
2023  | "Thousand Lifetimes (feat. Corey Glover of Living Colour)"  | —  | —  | —

### Guest appearances

[edit]

* Ill Niño
* "Máscara" (feat. AJ Channer from Fire from the Gods) (Single, 2020)[32]

* Islander
* It's Not Easy Being Human (2020)
* "Freedom" (feat. AJ Channer of Fire from the Gods)[33]

* Kerosene Shores
* "Glimpse In Your Mirror" (feat. AJ Channer of Fire from the Gods) (Single, 2020)[34]

* Dear Desolate
* "Voyager" feat. AJ Channer of Fire from the Gods (Single, 2021)[35]

* Tallah
* The Generation of Danger (2022)
* "Vanilla Paste" (feat. Fire From The Gods, Chelsea Grin, Guerrilla Warfare)[36]

* Hyro the Hero
* Kids Against the Monsters (2022)
* "FU2" (feat. AJ Channer of Fire from the Gods)[37]

* Memphis May Fire
* Remade in Misery (2022)
* Only Human (feat. AJ Channer of Fire from the Gods)[38]

* Downstait
* "Kingdom" feat. AJ Channer of Fire from the Gods (Single, 2024)

### Music videos

[edit]

Year  | Song  | Director(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|

2013  | "Smoke Screen"  | Albert Gonzalez  | [39]
2014  | "The Capitalist"  | Albert Gonzalez & John Hale  | [40]
2016  | "Excuse Me"  | Scott Hansen  | [41]
"End Transmission"  | [42]
2017  | "The Voiceless"  | Ramon Boutviseth  | [43]
2018  | "Evolve"  | AJ Channer  | [44]
2019  | "Right Now"  | Tom Flynn  | [45]
"American Sun"  | Wombat Fire  | [46]
2020  | "Break the Cycle"  | [47]
2021  | "Victory (feat. Matt B. of From Ashes to New)"  | [48]
"American Sun (Reimagined)"  | [49]
2022  | "SOS"  | [50]
"Thousand Lifetimes"  | [51]
"World So Cold"  | [52]
"Love is Dangerous"  | [53]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (Goldenburg, Matthew). "Fire from the Gods: Best Rap-Metal Revivalists Yet?". July 7, 2016. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
2. ^ a b c Nuttall, Luke (November 5, 2019). "'American Sun' by Fire from the Gods". thesoundboardreviews.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
3. ^ "Fire from the Gods | Biography & History". AllMusic.
4. ^ "Fire From the Gods, Interview with Drew Walker". August 29, 2015. There has been some confusion regarding the history of the band, due to another band with the same name from Pittsburgh, PA that formed in 2006 and released an EP in 2007. "Fire From the Gods - Demo 2007". Discogs. 2007.
5. ^ "Michael Vincent Black". YouTube. November 22, 2011.
6. ^ "Fire From the Gods - Sweet Lasting Revenge". Discogs. 2012.
7. ^ "INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: FIRE FROM THE GODS". March 15, 2015.
8. ^ "A.J. Channer from Fire of the Gods interview". August 3, 2017.
9. ^ Fire From The Gods - Pretenders - YouTube
10. ^ "Fire From The Gods Tour Kicks Off This Week with Born Of Osiris & More". New Noise Magazine. February 13, 2017.
11. ^ P.O.D. Launches Headlining Soundboy Killaz Tour
12. ^ Magazine, Side Stage (August 29, 2019). "Fire From The Gods Announce New Album American Sun". Side Stage Magazine.
13. ^ "Fire From The Gods Debut "Truth To The Weak (Not Built To Collapse)"". Theprp.com. July 26, 2019.
14. ^ Fire From The Gods Release 'American Sun (Reimagined)’ EP • TotalRock
15. ^ "Episode 19: AJ Channer of Fire From The Gods". December 21, 2021.
16. ^ From Ashes To New Announce U.S. Tour With Fire From The Gods, Blind Channel, Kingdom Collapse, & Above Snakes | Metal Anarchy
17. ^ 5FDP Headlining US Tour 2022 – Five Finger Death Punch
18. ^ ALBUM REVIEW: Fire From The Gods - Soul Revolution - Ghost Cult MagazineGhost Cult Magazine
19. ^ "Fire from the Gods – Soul Revolution (Album Review)". October 27, 2022.
20. ^ FIRE FROM THE GODS ANNOUNCE A NEW ALBUM ‘SOUL REVOLUTION’ AND LAUNCH NEW VIDEO “THOUSAND LIFETIMES” – R o c k 'N' L o a d
21. ^ NORMA JEAN, FIRE FROM THE GODS & GREYHAVEN Announce US "The Deathrattle Tour"
22. ^ Fire From The Gods Recruit Living Colour's Corey Glover For New Version Of "Thousand Lifetimes" - Theprp.com
23. ^ "Chart History: Digital Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
24. ^ "Chart History: Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
25. ^ "Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
26. ^ "Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
27. ^ "Chart History: Top Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
28. ^ "Fire From the Gods Chart History: Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
29. ^ "Fire From the Gods Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
30. ^ "Fire From the Gods Chart History: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
31. ^ FIRE FROM THE GODS: Release Lyric Video For Upcoming Single "Eat" & Announce Headline Run On Headbang For The Highway's "The Alumni Tour" (News) - Metal-Temple.com
32. ^ ILL NIÑO - Máscara feat AJ Channer from Fire From The Gods. (Official Music Video)
33. ^ Islander - Freedom (feat. AJ Channer of Fire From The Gods) (Official Lyric Video)
34. ^ KEROSENE SHORES OFFICIAL -"Glimpse In Your Mirror" FEAT. A.J. Channer of Fire from the Gods
35. ^ Dear Desolate - Voyager feat. AJ Channer of Fire From the Gods
36. ^ Tallah - Vanilla Paste (feat. Fire From The Gods, Chelsea Grin, Guerrilla Warfare)
37. ^ Hyro The Hero - FU2 ft. AJ Channer of Fire From The Gods (Official Video)
38. ^ Memphis May Fire - Only Human (feat. AJ Channer)
39. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Smoke Screen (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
40. ^ "Fire From The Gods - The Capitalist OFFICIAL Music Video Directed by Albert Gonzalez and John Hale". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
41. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Excuse Me (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
42. ^ "Fire From The Gods - End Transmission (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
43. ^ "Fire From The Gods Release Official Music Video for "The Voiceless"". musicexistence.com. April 25, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
44. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Evolve (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
45. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Right Now (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
46. ^ "Fire From The Gods - American Sun (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
47. ^ "William Felch". williamfelch.com. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
48. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Victory (feat. Matt B of From Ashes To New) (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
49. ^ "Fire From The Gods - American Sun (Reimagined) (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
50. ^ "Fire From The Gods - 'SOS'". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
51. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Thousand Lifetimes (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
52. ^ "Fire From The Gods - World So Cold (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
53. ^ "Fire From The Gods - Love is Dangerous (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved February 17, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fire from the Gods.

* Official website