Acrophet

Despite claims that Milwaukee's Acrophet were influenced by the so-called Bay Area sound, the group were in fact heavily into hardcore and traditional metal and created their own sound that had an influence on '90s bands. The first release was widely acclaimed. The average age of their members at that time was 17. Their sophomore release saw Baumann's shouty, rap-like vocals adding a slight melodic edge, which boasted a less raw and more polished production, again by Eric Greif. The twin guitars of Todd Saike and Dave Pelino bolstered with the quick feet of drummer Jason Mooney. The group toured nationally with hometown friends Realm and were one of the first foreign underground metal acts to play Mexico in the late '80s. Saike quit after the second offering, and although the group wrote material for a third release, they broke up before it saw the light of day. Compilation appearances - "Corrupt Minds" on Stars on Thrash ( Roadrunner Records , 1988) - "Warped Illusion", "Crowd Distress" on Triple X Records Compilation #3 (Triple X, 1989) - "Legend Has It" on Triple X Records Compilation #4 - Hear 'em Spin (Triple X, 1990) - "Corrupt Minds" on A Fist in the Face of God Presents: Thrashing Rage, Vol. II (Mixtape on Tape, 2016)