Viking Skull - History

History

Viking Skull was formed in 2002, by Raging Speedhorn members Gordon Morison, Darren Smith and Frank Regan, along with their Guitar Tech, Roddy Stone, and Merchandiser, Waldie.

The band originated as a spoof support act for Raging Speedhorn around their home town of Corby, UK. The line-up originally included Roddy Stone on vocals, Gordon Morison on drums, Frank Regan on lead guitar, Darren Smith on rhythm guitar and Waldie on bass guitar.

In 2003 they released a 6-track EP on Grand Union Recordings called Chapter One. After top-notch press reviews they landed main support for HIM on their 2004 UK tour, and the band performed at the Download Festival in 2004.

In 2005, the band released their first full length album Born In Hell. Viking Skull was later invited to join Alice Cooper and Twisted Sister on a UK arena tour but got cancelled two weeks before the first date due to Viking Skull not being able to provide Twisted Sister with a £3000 a day backline hire. This hit the band hard and the cracks started to appear.

Later that year, Television and Skateboarding Personality, Bam Margera, asked Viking Skull to include one of their songs on his compilation cd Viva La Bands. The band agreed and Skull Heaven was included on the cd.

After playing the Download Festival on the Snickers Bowl and sharing the stage in 2006 with such acts as CKY, Clutch and HIM - Roddy and Waldie parted ways with Gordon and Darren following an argument after a show in Amsterdam and Viking Skull disbanded on September 25, 2006.

Roddy Stone wrote that day on their Myspace blog- "...Viking Skull in their present form is no longer, due to fighting within the band. Gordon and Darren are concentrating on Raging Speedhorn, and I'll be on the road with a new band very soon. Thanks for all your support."

Several months later, Roddy got Jules Cooper and Jess Margera to replace Gordon And Darren. The band traveled to America to begin recording Chapter Two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chapter Two also features guest appearances from Reverend Jim of Fireball Ministry, Rich Vose of Gnarkill, Matt Cole, and Chad I Ginsburg of CKY.

The album "Chapter Two" was released on the 8th of September 2007 along with a Limited Edition Blackened Sunrise EP.

On the 11th of December 2007, Viking Skull competed at Metal Hammer presents "Get In The Ring 2", a competition between bands where they play off against each other and there is only 1 Winner. Other bands that competed were Engel, Goat The Head and Evile. Viking Skull was expected to win this event, bringing in the biggest crowd on the night and being the most popular band there, but Viking Skull fell short and lost to Evile.

The band traveled United States to record Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey in July 2008. Joining Them were new guitarists Dom Wallace of British Metal Band Deadeye on lead guitar, and Rich Vose of Gnarkill on rhythm guitar. The album was recorded at Dome Sound Studio's under the direction of Rich Gavalis who recorded the Bloodhound Gang's One Fierce Beer Coaster, and Hooray for Boobies. The album was released November 3, 2008.