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| Looking to form a supreme speed riffing metal band, Tom hooked up with the only bassist that could play with his twisting rhythms, the outstanding Tim O'Connor. Michael Scott was the perfect drummer to push the music along with a true sense of urgency, and the masterful lead work of Peter Petev made him a lock on the lead spot. | |||||
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As many Euro-metal fans know, Tom is an old veteran of metal. His first band, "Deuce", tore through the D.C. area for ten years beginning in 1978. Together with his high school friend, Marty Friedman, this pioneering band scarred a musical landscape that was dominated with soft rock. Deuce released a now much sought after single "I'm Saved" in 1981. Marty left earlier that year (to eventually play in Megadeth), and was replaced by Timmy Meadows. In 1985 Deuce changed their name to "Tension" and recorded a highly acclaimed LP "Breaking Point." |
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Tom left Tension in 1988 and acquired an engineering degree. While in college, he co-formed "Wardog" . Eventually signed to metal blade records, Wardog played killer festival shows in Europe ("Bang Your Head", "Wacken" main stage) to a fantastic response! Still, Tom wanted to fully pursue the style he loves: speed riffing hell!! To that end, he quit Wardog and teamed up with Michael Scott. Says Gattis, "I knew it would be perfect because he loved old "Raven" as much as I did. It just couldn't miss!" Michael, like Tom, is a veteran of the metal scene. Michael has been playing the Ohio scene since the early eighties and released an album with his band "Vyper" called "Prepared To Strike". Knowing that the intense riffing must be followed, Tom then called up former "Tension" bassist Tim O'Connor. "Tim flew to Phoenix from his home in Baltimore", says Tom. "We practiced with him for one day. Our jaws were still on the floor two days later! I knew this was not the kind of bass player you turned down in the mix." The combination was lethal! To top it all off, Michael knew a first rate shredder on guitar. Peter Petev is a recent arrival to America. Hailing from Bulgaria, Peter laid down monster lead parts to the already killer tracks. Tom: "Tim O'Connor and I were practicing the tunes at my place when Peter walked in with lead parts on disc. He made me feel like my fingers were standing still. Shredding, ripping leads! I knew this was going to be unlike anything I had ever recorded." Sure enough, "Gone Ballistic" is a fantastic showcase of the talent, raw energy, and intelligent song writing that Ballistic is all about. Tom: "I'm finally in a band that has no limits to it's potential. I don't have to put on the brakes for anyone. These guys just plain kill!" |
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