In 1987, the thrash metal band Vengeance emerged in Los Angeles, California, featuring guitarist Larry Farkas, guitarist Doug Thieme, bassist Roger Dale Martin, drummer Glen Mancaruso, and vocalist Roger Martinez. This ensemble significantly transformed the landscape of faith-based heavy music during a time when the genre was dominated by glam metal acts characterized by spandex and makeup, which represented the peak of metal’s popularity in the early to mid-eighties.
In 1989, the band changed its name to Vengeance Rising and, after releasing four full-length albums and a compilation, the original lineup departed following the release of their second album, Once Dead (1990), to establish the hard rock band Die Happy alongside Robyn Kyle Basauri in the same year. The well-documented narrative surrounding former frontman Roger Martinez is familiar to many, and further elaboration is unnecessary.
Once Dead was formed in 2004, participating in several festivals and releasing a DVD titled Return with a Vengeance (2005), along with one studio album, Visions of Hell (2008), and later an EP, Ghost Tribe (2019), which included contributions from Hand Of Fire vocalist Jim Settle.
Looking ahead to 2025, the band is set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sanctuary International with their inaugural performance under the Vengeance name, featuring most of the original members alongside former Tourniquet vocalist Luke Easter, at this year’s Immortal Fest Part One in July.
This will not be the first appearance for either Luke or Roger Dale Martin at Immortal Fest, which takes place at the BMI Center in Versailles, Ohio, as both musicians have previously performed with other bands, including the Tourniquet tribute Stop The Bleeding and Reign Of Glory.
Other artists on the weekend of July 25th – 27th will include Deny The Fallen, Innersiege, Fear Not, Millennial Reign, Whitecross, Saint and much, much more. Tickets are now available.