ARES KINGDOM Rhythm Guitarist Goes On Hiatus; Band To Continue As A Trio
June 18, 2015, 9 years ago
Kansas City's death/thrash metal band, Ares Kingdom, has announced that rhythm guitarist Doug Overbay is taking an indefinite hiatus from the band in order to address health issues. The band is continuing as a three piece with Alex Blume - vocals/bass, Mike Miller - drums, and Chuck Keller - guitars. The lineup change will have no effect on any upcoming shows.
The band is currently in post-production with their new album, The Unburiable Dead at their own Very Metal Sound studio in suburban Kansas City. Release is scheduled later this year through NWN! Productions in LP, Die Hard LP, CD, and picture disc formats.
Ares Kingdom formed in 1996, the year following the end of Mike and Chuck's previous band Order from Chaos. AK’s first four years were spent as a two-piece. In 2000, Doug joined as bassist, followed soon by Alex as vocalist. In 2006, Doug switched to rhythm guitar while Alex assumed bass duties.
The band signed to NWN! Productions in 2004 and has released two full-length albums, Return To Dust (2006) and Incendiary (2010), plus a compilation CD Firestorms And Chaos (2008), an album of covers entitled Veneration (2013), and two 12" maxi singles, “Firestorm Redemption” (2006) and “Failsafe” (2007).
In addition to their upcoming third full-length, The Unburiable Dead, the band is set to release a special live picture disc entitled Chaosmongers Alive: 8/21/2006 as part of NWN! Productions' Onward // Ascendant warehouse fund campaign.