Heathen on DeBaser: Bay Area thrash, sharp riffs, and louder comebacks

The Profile

Heathen are an American Bay Area thrash metal band formed in 1984 in San Francisco. Known for precise, technical riffing and David White’s soaring vocals, they debuted with Breaking the Silence (1987), reached a technical apex on Victims of Deception (1991), and returned with The Evolution of Chaos (2010) and Empire of the Blind (2020).

Formed in San Francisco in 1984; early lineup featured David White (vocals) and Lee Altus (guitar). Breaking the Silence (1987) was produced by Ronnie Montrose and is cited as selling 100,000 copies worldwide. Paul Baloff participated on a demo before Victims of Deception. Victims of Deception (1991) was released on Roadrunner Records and is noted for its technical/progressive thrash approach. After a hiatus, the band issued the covers/rarities EP Recovered (2004) and the comeback album The Evolution of Chaos (2010).

The reviews praise Heathen as a Bay Area thrash force formed in 1984, with a strong debut in Breaking the Silence (1987) and a technical peak in Victims of Deception (1991). The Evolution of Chaos (2010) is hailed as a potent comeback, energetic and nuanced, if a bit long. Notes include production critiques on the debut, standout musicianship, and impactful vocals by David White. References cite 100,000 sales for the debut and Paul Baloff’s demo-era cameo.

Notable Quotes

❝ An underrated American Thrash Metal band that originated in San Francisco in 1984 and quickly released their first self-produced demo tape in 1986, allowing the band, plagued by ongoing lineup changes, to join the metal scene of the Frisco Bay Area.

❝ Straight answer: this record is a blow, a real one.

❝ Victims Of Deception is not at all a canonical and traditional Thrash Metal album; it's not just sound violence for its own sake, but a complex, intricate, highly technical and damn engaging album.