But long before he began globetrotting, J.D. started out like most accomplished musicians, in the garage with a band and a bottle of Captain Morgan. Twenty-five years later, that same band has emerged as Cycle of Pain with an intense and diverse self titled hard rock album.
The album will be released on April 21st, 2009, by Reform Records/Rock Ridge Music, and Cycle Of Pain will begin its tour that same day opening for Black Label Society.
At 15 years old, J.D. began practicing his favorite Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Scorpions tunes with good friends Joe Taylor (guitar) and Gregg Locascio (drums/vocals). Despite the many high profile moments in their careers (Lita Ford, Vinnie Moore, Drill, Rich Kotzen and many more), the old band has always aspired to record and tour together. Cycle of Pain later added Rich Monica (Tantric) on drums.
"The band got so side-tracked with members getting other gigs that it became difficult to focus on what we started as kids," says Taylor. "But we never stopped writing together. We're like brothers, and the music's always been the strongest bond between us." With J.D. and Taylor's prior musical commitments, it took a lot for the old band to come together and record the 13 track album, which has already been lauded by many of Black Label's biggest fans.
"Cycle of Pain is like goin through life with all these barriers holding you back," says J.D. "Life is like a never-ending cycle of pain. You go from highs to lows, and back again. With all the great s*** comes a lot of bad. This band is about overcoming all these things that try to get in your way, about standing up and kicking ass."
Though rooted in metal, the album's 13 tracks delve into elements of funk, hip-hop, and soul, and they offer enough ammo to rock both in the clubs and on the radio. Cycle Of Pain also features many guest performances by such credible names as Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy), Ray Luzier (Korn) Brian Tichy (Billy Idol), Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), Russ-T Cobb, Hugo Ferreira (Tantric), Marcus Ratzenboeck (Tantric), Clip Payne (P-funk), Burton (Fear Factory) & Russell Allen (Symphony X).
SELECTIONS:
1. 5
2. Dead Man Walking
3. 14 Devils
4. Reign Down
5. Down Witcha Pain
6. M
7. Babe
8. Do My Work
9. Pungle
10. I See Heaven
11. Egypt
12. Cycle Of Pain
13. Mick Do I
Preview and Purchase Cycle of Pain CDs
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