Burning the Masses

Burning the Masses came out of Minneapolis in the mid-1990s, playing a heavy mix of thrash and death metal. Their first album arrived in 2001, full of the kind of aggressive riffs and solos that defined their early sound. Songs like 'Mind Control' and 'Nailgun Massacre' gave listeners a clear sense of what they were about.

They followed that with 2004's 'Collision,' which tightened up their approach. By 2008's 'Ascend,' they were experimenting with industrial and electronic textures, a noticeable shift from the straightforward metal of their debut. They returned to a rawer style on 2011's 'No Second Chances.'

Their lyrics often dealt with social and political themes, which sometimes drew criticism. Their live shows were known for being intense and confrontational, enough to cause occasional trouble with authorities. Phil Labonte handled vocals throughout their run.