EXPLORER

Explorer emerged in 1982 when a group of heavy metal maniacs from Belgium decided to form their own band. Inspired by Judas Priest, Metallica and the NWOBHM, they quickly developed their own faster, melodic take on heavy metal. Their reputation grew through wild live shows built around singer Armando's notorious chainsaw-swinging stage antics, and by the mid-'80s they were sharing stages with Living Death, Target, Killer, Horizon, Warhead, Battlecry and Cyclone. The band recorded the Burn the Witches demo in 1985, but their biggest breakthrough came with the Metal Race compilation LP, which featured two Explorer songs. A second demo, Served As A Meal, followed in 1986. Explorer disbanded the following year, just before a planned Scandinavian tour with Destruction, with members later joining forces with members of Trial in Dead Serious. Metal Warrior Records collects the band's best recordings on Chainsaw Anthems, bringing the Explorer story together on CD for the first time.